There are countless benefits of Restorative Yoga. In this post, I will cover 15 benefits restorative yoga will give you, a resource if you want to learn more, and a 30-minute Restorative Yoga Video to help you reap the benefits.
Even though restorative yoga is extremely gentle, there are contraindications such as pregnancy. As with all exercise, make sure you talk with your doctor before trying a new form of exercise or if your physical condition has changed.
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Benefits of Restorative Yoga
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prevents disease
This practice has been known to help prevent diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
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relaxing and regenerating for the body
After practicing Restorative Yoga I am always left with an extremely relaxed body. The feeling is similar to having spent the day at the spa.
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calming to the mind
Not only is the body left feeling relaxed, but the mind seems to slow down and feels much calmer after a restorative practice.
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helps insomnia
Restorative Yoga is an excellent practice for someone suffering from symptoms of insomnia. Yoga Nidra is another practice that helps show relief from the inability to sleep.
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helps you develop patience, humbleness and the ability to focus
Laying in poses for 5-minutes and sometimes up to 20+ minutes helps you slow down. This carries with you off the mat as well. Everything doesn’t have to be done at warp speed, Restorative Yoga reminds us of that.
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helps relieve women’s issues
Restorative Yoga can help balance hormones and give you relief from bloating and cramps.
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helps relieve cold and flu symptoms
When you are sick, one of the best things you can do for yourself is rest. A relaxed session of Restorative Yoga gives your body the rest it needs. Plus, there are specific poses you can do that support your respiratory system.
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provides headache relief
Some poses can help relieve constricted blood flow that may be causing your headache. Headaches can also be caused by anxiety, another symptom helped by this practice.
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provides relief from carpal tunnel syndrome
This relief comes from realigning your body to relieve tension.
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helps reduce obesity
Restorative Yoga reduces the level of cortisol in your body. When cortisol is lowered so is the amount of glucose that your body produces. Excess levels of glucose in your body create fat. By reducing cortisol, you can reduce fat in your body.
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relieves sciatica
Certain poses can take the pressure off the nerve that is being irritated.
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gives you more energy
Giving your body more rest will, in turn, give you more energy.
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reduces stress
This practice can take stressed minds that are overly stimulated and provide relief by calming the nervous system and leaving you feeling relaxed and at peace.
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releases tension
When your body is supported it is able to release the tension that it is carrying. Certain poses provide tension relief for specific muscles in your body.
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stretches your muscles
These poses help lengthen and open your muscles. The extended amount of time these poses are held for is crucial to breaking down fascia and elongating your muscles.
To feel the benefits of Restorative Yoga you will want to practice it on a regular basis. Practicing Restorative Yoga is something I do at least once a week. If I am having a busy or stressful week, I practice twice, so that I don’t get run down.
If you are interested in learning more about this wonderful practice, I would highly suggest Restorative Yoga for Life by Gail Boorstein Grossman. This is one of my favorite yoga books. It covers a wide variety of Restorative poses and has sequences for varying ailments, all with beautiful pictures to guide you. Some of the sequences included are for; lower back, digestive disorders, headaches, and weight loss.
You can also read the book for free on a Kindle if you have Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited.
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Check out this great 30 Minute Restorative Yoga and Meditation Practice from Yoga by Candace.
Have you heard of Yin Yoga? Restorative Yoga and Yin Yoga are often confused. However, they are very different practices. To learn about the differences between the two, read my post-Yin Restorative Yoga: What is the Difference?
Namaste,
Abby
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