Restorative Yoga for Relaxation and Stress Management

Restorative yoga is NECESSARY in today’s world. We live in a world of distractions and noise. Every single day, we are bombarded with advertisements telling us what we need to be happy (usually material possessions). Social media is conditioning us to constantly seek external validation to substantiate our self-worth. The news typically highlights all the terrible things happening across the globe, which can keep us in a state of fear, hypervigilance and uncertainty. If that wasn’t enough, each of us have personal stressors to attend to.

I invite you to take a moment to consider your external environment; your home environment, your neighborhood, your community, your workplace, the stores you shop at, your travels, and so on. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? What do you feel (this could be an internal feeling)?

As I reflect upon these questions, I see individuals rushing to get from point A to point B. I see erratic driver’s on the road, even on a Sunday morning. I hear people speeding on the expressway every night before I fall asleep. I observe a lot of people looking down at their phones while out for walks and while shopping. I see very few individuals making eye contact or even speaking to the person they are with. I can smell car exhaust on my morning walks. I feel thrown off when I overhear people arguing with one another. I feel disconnected to the environment living in a city. I feel anxious when I see others rushing around. I feel overwhelmed when I have deadlines to meet. Of course, there are many wonderful things happening all around me on a daily basis; things that I am grateful for. My point is that your external environment can influence your internal landscape. Your internal landscape includes how you feel (your emotions), your responses to challenges, your behaviors, your thought patterns, how you view yourself, and so on. Shifting the focus from external to internal can be a huge game-changer in relation to how you feel physically, mentally and emotionally. This shift can help bring about balance to the mind, body and spirit, which is exactly what is needed in today’s world.

This is where restorative yoga comes in! Restorative yoga gives you the opportunity to explore stillness and silence. This practice invites you to turn your attention inward. As you look inward, you begin to observe your thoughts, your breath, as well as physical sensations in your body. You may feel certain emotions in different parts of your body. You may become more aware of the sounds in your space as you take note of whether you find these sounds soothing or overstimulating. You may notice how your props and the surface beneath you feel against your body. This inward exploration is unique to each participant.

There are so many benefits of a regular restorative yoga practice. Restorative yoga can promote better sleep (especially deep and REM sleep), resolve chronic stress, release muscular tension, improve posture, soothe pain (acute and chronic pain), relieve migraines and tension headaches, improve self-worth, stimulate the vagus nerve, improve breathing, promote emotional resilience (the ability to bounce back quicker from life’s challenges), improve your inner and outer ecosystem (deepening your relationship with yourself and others), and so much more.

Restorative yoga gives you the time and space to explore the mind-body connection. You have the opportunity to consider how your inner dialogue, beliefs and attitudes can directly impact your physical and emotional well-being. You have the opportunity to observe how your emotions can impact your physical body. You have the space to consider how your posture can affect your thoughts and how you view yourself.

As you do this internal investigation, you may begin to notice that the external stuff (social media, news, advertisements, personal stressors, environmental stressors, etc.) don’t seem to bother you as much anymore. Why? Because you have the tools and strategies to help calm your nervous system. You begin to feel more calm, at peace, grounded, present, balanced and connected. You realize that you have all that you need to support you as you navigate the ups and downs of life. All that you need is YOU!

On a personal note, restorative yoga has played an important role in my physical, mental and emotional healing journey. I am beyond grateful for the practice as it has helped me explore self-love, forgiveness and compassion both on and off of the mat.

Sending love and light to you.

Disclaimer– Before starting any exercise program, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider to ensure that the program is appropriate and safe for you. Please follow any safety precautions as indicated by your healthcare provider. Participating in any fitness regime involves the possibility of physical injury. Listen to your body, and back out of any posture or movement that causes pain or discomfort. If you decide to engage in an exercise and this exercise program, you agree to do so at your own risk. You are fully aware of this risk and hereby release Rachel Van Huis from Yoga with Rachel from any and all liability, negligence, or other claims, arising from, or in any way connected, with your participation in this activity.

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