Unlike vinyasa and hot yoga, which are intense and challenging, restorative yoga is meant to be restful. It is a passive form of yoga that helps calm the mind and body through gentle, meditative poses. You can expect to hold a restorative yoga pose for anywhere between five and 20 minutes, which is much longer than in other styles of yoga. Because the goal is to allow your body to relax fully, cushions are often used during sessions, so you don’t have to use effort to hold the position. Here are a few benefits of practicing this unique type of yoga.
Reduces Stress Levels
Restorative yoga activates the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. By allowing time for longer asanas (poses) and deeper breathing, the body’s relaxation response is activated.
Relieves Pain
Research has shown that restorative yoga can be helpful at reducing chronic pain, particularly back pain and headaches.
Improves Sleep
As a result of reducing stress levels, restorative yoga can also lead to better sleep.
It’s Gentle On Your Body
Restorative yoga can be practiced by all age groups, and is generally safe and often recommended to people with chronic injuries. It can also be easily modified to suit pregnant women.
