Restorative Yoga: A Practice for Deep Relaxation
If you've never experienced restorative yoga, you're in for a treat! This type of yoga is suitable for everyone—from beginners to advanced yoga practitioners. Restorative yoga is a restful yoga practice in which poses are held for longer periods of time for deep, passive stretches. Restorative yoga typically involves the use of props like bolsters, yoga blocks, cushions, and blankets.
In this 60-minute restorative yoga practice, I'll help you relax, relieve tension, and build communion between your body and mind. If you enjoy this practice, please find more classes with me on myYogaTeacher.
Benefits of Restorative Yoga
Restorative yoga offers several wonderful benefits:
- It's gentle on the body and can help strengthen the connective tissues around your bones and joints when practiced consistently.
- The deep breathing that accompanies restorative yoga calms the nervous system, promoting relaxation.
- Increased relaxation from restorative yoga can improve sleep and sleep quality.
- All types of yoga are associated with improved mental and physical well-being and can even help people who experience depression, anxiety, stress, and other mood disorders.
- Restorative yoga (along with other styles of yoga) is an excellent way to reduce and manage musculoskeletal pain.
Restorative Yoga Practice for Deep Relaxation
Let's start our restorative yoga practice with a gentle warm-up. Come to your hands and knees with your knees hip-distance apart and your toes tucked. Press your palms into the mat directly below your shoulders with your fingers spread wide. From here, we're going to flow through cat and cow 5 times.
Come to a comfortable seated position with your legs crossed. Interlock your fingers and gently bring your arms to the ceiling, lengthening your spine. Inhale. On the exhale, keep your spine lengthened and stretch to the right. Inhale back to center and exhale to the left. Repeat this stretch on both sides. Gently release your arms down.
Place your right palm on your left knee and roll your left shoulder back and down, placing your left hand on the mat behind you. Twist gently, looking over your left shoulder. Release to the center and repeat the twist to the right side.
Move your arms into eagle pose with your right arm over the left. Flow through cat and cow poses 3 times, keeping your elbows bent at 90º and your arms away from your body. Repeat this with your arms in eagle pose, this time placing your left arm over the right.
That should be enough to wake up your spine and make you ready for restorative yoga.
In this practice, we'll use a couple of different sizes of bolsters, but if you don't have bolsters you can put together two of the pillows you use at bedtime for the large bolster and use one pillow each for the two smaller bolsters. You'll also need two small cushions, a chair, and a small blanket.
We'll start by placing the chair at one end of the mat and placing the blanket, folded, in front of it. Lay down on the folded blanket on your side and roll onto your back, lifting your legs onto the chair. Your calves will be on the chair and your hips slightly away from the chair.
Place your arms by the side of your body, shoulders relaxed, and let your calf muscles melt into your chair (or bed, wherever you're using to hold your legs). Let your legs relax, your knees and feet rolling outward, naturally. Close your eyes and relax here, moving only to breathe with long, deep inhales and long, complete exhales. Consciously relax the back of your neck, relax your legs, keep your eyes closed. Spend the time relaxing and observing your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.
Bring your awareness back to your body, gently wiggling your fingers and toes. Roll onto your side and lay there for a moment before sitting up.
Bring your large bolster in line with the center of your matt and put the two cushions at the top of it. Sit with your hips at the base of the bolster. Bring the soles of your feet together and let your knees fall open. Use your two smaller bolsters to support your knees. Roll onto the larger bolster, keeping your hips grounded. Take a moment to roll your shoulders to the side and dropping your shoulders down. Adjust your hips to your comfort. Elongate your spine. Place your arms to the side of your body and relax in this position. Surrender your body completely to the asana and observe your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.
Bring your knees back together, keeping the soles of your feet on the ground. Roll to one side and gently come to sitting.
Keep the large bolster where it is and remove any cushions you had on top of it. You're going to lean forward onto your large bolster, with your hips supported at its base. If you find that your torso is longer than your bolster, you can bring in cushions to support your face. Make sure they're the same height as your bolster to keep your spine neutral. In this position, rest your palms on the floor with your arms bent and forward. Relax your legs and your feet. If this isn't comfortable, feel free to separate your knees and bend them slightly so you can rest your legs. Let your body melt into the asana. Let go completely and observe your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.
Gently press your palms down and tuck your toes. Lift your chest up and come up onto your heels to release the pose.
Now, we're going to move into a heart opener. Place your bolster perpendicular to your mat. Roll onto the bolster, letting the bolster support your back just below your shoulder blades. Let your head rest back onto a cushion. Your arms will relax over your head, shoulders dropping down and elbows in line with your shoulders. Your palms will face up. Adjust your body as needed for comfort. This position gently opens your chest, bringing you into a small backbend position. Continue breathing in and out, and relax into the pose. Stay in the pose for 5–10 minutes.
Bring your awareness back to your body. Bend your knees and relax your shoulders and elbows. Roll to one side and gently come up to sitting.
Bring your large bolster underneath your knees, preparing for savasana. Lie back and let your knees rest on the bolster, falling out to the side. Completely relax your legs. Place a cushion under your head if you need the support. You can also cover yourself with your blanket for added comfort. Relax your body completely with your arms out to your sides, palms up. Relax here for as long as you'd like (we recommend at least 5 minutes).
Bring awareness back to your body. Feel where your body meets your mat, bringing awareness to each area of your body, starting with your head and moving all the way down to your feet. Gently wiggle your fingers and toes and slowly turn your head on your pillow from side to side. Interlock your fingers and stretch your arms over your head for a nice, deep stretch. Roll to your side and when you're ready, come up to a cross-legged position.
Bring your palms to your heart center, close your eyes, and take a moment to connect with your breath and your body. Observe your breath. Take a deep breath in and exhale completely. Close your restorative yoga practice with a chant of Om, 3 times. Rub your palms together and place your cupped palms over your eyes. Move your palms back to heart center, namaste.
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{"slug":"restorative-yoga-deep-relaxation","recentPosts":[{"id":"cl8kb5f23jq1w0ciscs2h2bxw","slug":"benefits-of-yoga-for-pregnancy","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"What are the Benefits of Yoga for Pregnancy?","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Yoga for Pregnancy is excellent for stress relief, pain relief, and preparation for labor. Read more to understand the benefits of Yoga for Pregnancy","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-27T14:42:36.767798+00:00","coverUrl":"kvvlqndsbow5dsckhw7i.jpg","content":{"text":"When you get pregnant, people come out of the woodworks with advice, remedies and old wives tales. Everyone’s got an opinion on how you should spend your pregnancy. But the one thing we know for sure is, yoga is great for mom and baby alike. If you’re curious about prenatal yoga, you’re in the right place. Let’s break down why this type of yoga is excellent for moms (and babies).\\nWhat is prenatal yoga?\\nPrenatal yoga was designed for women who are expecting. Rather than taking a regular class and having to worry about modifications or safety, this class is specifically designed for pregnancy. The practice can help women with common pregnancy aches and pains, ease hormonal and emotional stress and help women’s bodies prepare for birth and their postpartum journey. A regular yoga practice when pregnant has tons of amazing benefits!\\nBenefits of Prenatal yoga: \\nWe asked women who’ve done prenatal yoga while pregnant for their reviews, one said “ It’s excellent for stress relief, pain relief, and preparation for labor.” And they all said they’d recommend it to friends! \\nSo let's break down the benefits: \\nRelaxation : \\nPregnancy can be very stressful! But yoga will help you to relax physically, mentally and emotionally and create a safe, relaxing environment for birth. Prenatal helps you with coping and breath techniques for all stages of your pregnancy.\n\\nPreparation for birth : \\nFor first time moms, and even sometimes vets, labor can be scary. This practice will help you to learn birth techniques so you’re relaxed and ready to go!\n\\nYoga can Help with Labor : \\nIn a 2015 study\\n, It was found that a regular yoga practice in the last 10-12 weeks of pregnancy can improve the mother's comfort during labor and help facilitate the labor process. The “yoga group” in this study on average was in labor two hours less than those who didn’t practice. Past your due date? Prenatal Yoga is also known to help induce labor\n\\nCommunity : \\nYoga classes have always been known to help us build community but during pregnancy, it's so important to have a group of women who understand what you’re going through. Taking part in a prenatal class puts you in a group of women who get it. You’ll have a built in support system and maybe even first friends for your baby!\\nFrequently Asked Questions about Prenatal Yoga:\\nIs Yoga for Pregnancy safe?\\nYes. Yoga is generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, you should always consult your doctor & make sure you’re practicing with a teacher who understands the prenatal experience and can keep you safe. Our teachers are experts in yoga and are ready to help you on your journey. If you’d like to check out our offerings, you can get started today with a two week free trial! \\nWhen during pregnancy can you practice yoga?\\nDuring your first trimester, you can stick to your regular practice with some modifications. \\nYour second trimester is a GREAT time to start prenatal yoga! At this point, you’ll be starting to officially come into your “pregnancy body” and you’ll need to be practicing poses more specific to prenatal. The second and third trimester are considered the “prep period” for your body to prepare for labor. So it's a great time to keep moving and stretching in your new skin as you make room for the baby to grow! \\nWhat yoga poses should you avoid doing? \\nFor the most part, yoga is considered safe during pregnancy. You really only need to focus on any poses that put pressure on your abdomen. You should avoid any and all twisting poses, backbends and inversions.. \\nYoga for Pregnancy Poses you can perform at Home :\\nIt’s important to stay active during your pregnancy for both mom and baby! You should try to get in some sort of movement daily for at least 30 minutes. You can stick to low impact workouts or walks but if you want to do some yoga at home, it’s a great way to end your day. Yoga while pregnant can help with pain, help you sleep better and fight tiredness and fatigue. \\nHere are some poses you can practice at home to keep you moving! And as a bonus, most of these poses will also help your body prepare for giving birth!\\n1. Bound angle pose (Baddha Konasana) :\\n\\nBaddha Konasana pose will help you open your hips, releasing any pain in your back. It can also help to reduce swelling\\nHow it helps with labor: Opening the hips will help you to stretch the muscles needed to open the birth canal.\\n2. Cat-cow pose (Marjaryasana Bitilasana) :\\n\\nMarjaryasana Bitilasana pose release back and shoulder pain and also reduce pressure from the belly\\nHow it helps with labor: Back pain is a common occurrence during the birth process. This pose will help to keep your muscles limber and help to avoid muscle spasms and pain in your back during labor. \\n3. Yogi squat (Malasana) :\\n\\n\\nBeen sitting too long\\n? This is a great hip opener and will also release lower back pain. \\nHow it helps with labor: This pose will widen the pelvic floor making the birth easier,which may help to reduce injury during birth.\\nRemember, if you’re practicing at home, it’s always best to consult your doctor and make sure yoga is safe for your pregnancy.\\n\\nOther ways to practice self-care during pregnancy\\nBeing a mom is the hardest job in the world. And there are no days off. Starting with pregnancy, we feel out of control of our body, its growth and the way we feel. Remember to take time during this beautiful process to practice self-care so you can be present, happy and relaxed. \\nBook a prenatal massage :\n\nA prenatal massage is GREAT for mom and baby. It can help reduce stress and swelling without meds, help you to sleep and get your body ready for labor and delivery. \n \\nTake a bath :\n\nTaking a warm bath while pregnant can also help to reduce stress and lower your blood pressure. It’s a great way to relax and rest your growing body. If you’re feeling pain or swelling, it can be very beneficial to relax in a warm bath. \n\\n\\nAyurveda for Pregnancy :\\n\n\nThis week, MyYogaTeacher has a special Ayurveda event running where you’ll learn how to align with your best self through nutrition and health changes. This specific class is designed to help you have your most healthy pregnancy with nutrition guidelines for a mom and foods to help with baby's development! \\n\nYou can also choose to work 1 on 1 with an instructor of your choice through your MyYogaTeacher membership! Let us help you have your healthiest pregnancy possible! \\n\\nGet started today!\\n"},"category":[]},{"id":"cl8ka13l4ionz0ck2fe0pme7l","slug":"chronic-neck-pain-relief-yoga-poses","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Are you suffering with Chronic Neck Pain? 10 yoga poses to find relief!","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":null,"readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-27T14:11:15.683866+00:00","coverUrl":"rbh6duxy7hy3y207sg1c.jpg","content":{"text":"Do you suffer from chronic neck pain? Nearly 30-50% of adults suffer from recurring neck pain. \\nNeck pain can be a common occurrence for people who:\\nhave long commutes or sit at a desk all day\\nwho have issues with posture \\nwho have chronic sleep issues\\nOur neck and shoulders can also be a place where we may carry tension or pain due to stress. In any case, the good news is yoga can help you to relieve your neck pain and move on symptom free! \\nDaily changes you can make to avoid neck pain\\nStay in alignment. Keep good posture and try not to carry heavy bags on one side of your body. Also, if you sit at a desk and work on a computer, move your monitor to eye-sight so you’re not looking up or down. Need help finding your center? \\nWe can help here at MyYogaTeacher! \\n\\nStay active! It’s important to stay mobilized. If you sit all day, take breaks to move around and give your body a break from being stuck in one position. Can’t take breaks at work? Try to go for a walk on lunch or maybe before or after your workday. \\nCheck your sleep environment. Make sure your mattress and pillows are still in good shape. Look into the best pillows for your sleep type or body. Getting quality sleep will help you avoid tossing and turning and can be your remedy to wake pain free. \\nIf you’re feeling like you need to move, starting with any slower yoga practice will help! Yin, hatha and restorative classes will all leave your body feeling relaxed, renewed and free of pain. Want to flow on your own? Here are our top ten poses to try! \\n10 Yoga Poses to relieve Chronic Neck Pain :\\n1. Easy seat with ear to shoulder stretch\\nThis pose releases your neck and shoulders and helps relieve tension and stress.\\nStart by sitting with your legs crossed and a straight back. Shoulders down. Bring your ear down to your shoulder. To deepen the stretch, bring your opposite arm overhead. \\n\\n\\n\\n2. Child’s Pose\\nReleases tension in the upper body including the neck and chest.\\nBring your knees as wide as the mat and sit into your heels. You can bring your chest to the mat and extend your arms forward or come to rest on a pillow or bolster. Try to hold this pose for up to 5 breaths. \\n\\n\\n\\n3. Downward facing dog\\nHelps to relieve neck pain by strengthening the upper body and releasing the spine. \\nStart by coming onto all fours. Check your alignment- make sure your shoulders are over your wrist, and your hips over your knees. Without changing the position of your hands and feet, push up and back to bring your heels into the ground. Relax your head, neck and shoulders down. \\n\\n\\n\\n4. Bridge Pose\\nReleases chest, neck, spine and hips.\\nLay down on your mat, bring your feet as close to your glutes as possible. Bring your hands to the sides of your body palms down. Push into the feet and hands while you lift your core and back to the ceiling. Try to relax and breathe here. \\n\\n\\n\\n5. Wide Leg forward fold\\nReleases spine, neck and back. If you’re in pain perform this stretch slowly, and come up one vertebrae at a time. \\nBring your feet as wide as you can, feet facing forward. Hinge at the hips and slowly bend forward and down towards your feet. You can hang here or grab yogi toe lock around your big toe. \\n\\n\\n\\n6. Cow face pose\\nStrengthens core and spine.\\nSit up tall and stack your knees directly over one another. Reach one arm back around your waist and one arm over your shoulder with your palms reaching towards one another. If you can, clasp your hands. If not, rest them on your back, you will still benefit from the pose. \\n\\n\\n\\n7. Sphinx pose\\nThis pose will help to physically open up the shoulders and neck. Looking side to side slowly is a great addition to the pose. \\nLie on your stomach and bring your hands next to your chest facing down. On your inhale press into the ground and lift your upper body. \\n\\n\\n\\n8. Thread the Needle \\nIncreases mobility and releases tension in the upper body. \\nCome on to all fours. Check your alignment, make sure your hips are over your knees, shoulders over your wrist. Reach one arm out to the side and thread it through the opposite side under your ribs. You can stay here or open up the opposite side by reaching the hand to the back or straight up and over. Make sure to do both sides. \\n\\n\\n\\n9. Legs up the wall\\nReleases tension and stress from the upper body by reversing blood flow. \\nFind a wall near your practice space and sit next to the wall as close as possible. Lower your head, neck and shoulders onto your mat, then roll onto your back and stretch your legs up the wall. You can stay in this restorative pose for up to 10 minutes. \\n\\n\\n\\n10. Savasana\\nSavasana releases any stress, lowers heart rate and calms the body. \\nCome onto your back on your mat, and release your body down. This is known as corpse pose because it is a full and final rest at the end of our practice. Release and let go of any and all tension. \\n\\n\\n\\nClasses to help relieve neck pain \\n\\nYoga fusion for joints \\n- This class will help you roll out your joint pain and stretch your tight limbs and joints. \\n\\nYoga for Back Pain\\n - Sometimes, neck pain can be caused by tightness in the spine. Experts say yoga helps soothe muscle pains. Try this class to strengthen and lengthen your neck and back for pain relief! \\n\\nYoga for Neck and Shoulder Pain\\n - Do you sit all day at work? Struggle with your posture? This class will help relieve upper body tension. \\n\nSo if you’re ready to make your neck pain a thing of the past, join us today. Our trial includes two free weeks of group fitness classes, one on one classes and so much more! \\nGet started on your yoga journey now!\\n"},"category":["yoga_poses"]},{"id":"cl8cuq5nnh5860biyek2vhu2w","slug":"reproductive-rights-for-women-yoga-workshop","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop - Supporting Women Through Yoga","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":null,"readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-22T09:28:27.679552+00:00","coverUrl":"dkjwcigamkavxe0yziwq.jpg","content":{"text":"Announcing MyYogaTeacher’s first ever Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop!\\nHere at MyYogaTeacher, we believe in the wisdom of women to make their own choices about their health. \\n\\nThat’s why we’re excited to offer the\\n Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop on October 2 from 9 AM - 11 AM PST (12 PM - 2 PM EST) for only $10!\\nIn the past, our community events have been free. So why are we charging a nominal fee for this one?\\nBecause ALL proceeds from the Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop go to support the \\nCenter for Reproductive Rights\\n charity, a nonprofit organization, the \\nonly\\n global legal advocacy organization dedicated to advancing reproductive rights.\\nIn the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs Wade and on the day before the new term of the Supreme Court begins, we think this workshop is a perfect way to silently protest this new ruling through self-care and donations to an organization like the Center for Reproductive Rights.\\nThis will also be a time of healing and processing with a couple of awesome expert yoga instructors!\\nHow to join the Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop\\nWhether you’re a member or not, \\nJust click this link and register \\nas you would any other group class! Simple as that.\\nIntroducing a very special guest yoga instructor coming just for this event!\n\\nMeet Harpinder Mann, RYT-500!\\n\\n\n\\nHarpinder is a yoga, meditation, mindfulness teacher, and decolonizing activist based in Los Angeles. She works with women of color who want to reclaim their power and intuition through the lens of a spiritual, joyful, and sustainable path. Her studies have spanned from reading the Japji Sahib since she was 3, to over 700 hours of yogic training within the traditions of Raja, Vinyasa, Kundalini, and Prenatal Yoga. \\nWe’re super excited to have her lead the beginning of the workshop. Afterwards, MyYogaTeacher yoga instructor, \\nTrupti Parikh\\n, will lead us in asanas, and a discussion session will follow.\\nAre you ready to experience a workshop where we solely focus on supporting and advocating for women’s health \\nwhile\\n improving our mental, emotional, and physical health?\\n\\nJoin us for the Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop!\\n\\nTogether, we make a difference."},"category":["workshops"]},{"id":"cl8a9804vy5de0biznpg4ai2t","slug":"yoga-benefits-for-runners","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Yoga For Runners : Why Runners Should Incorporate Yoga Into Their Training?","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Adopting an active yoga practice to complement your running routine can have tons of benefits! Read now to learn more","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-20T13:50:56.406936+00:00","coverUrl":"tbdacuzob0fuqml8dyjd.jpg","content":{"text":"Training for a big race? Setting some goals you want to crush before the year ends? No matter what your reasons, yoga can be a great way to cross train for running from a 5k to a marathon! Running is great for your heart and body but can also be a huge strain on the muscles. Having an active yoga practice to complement your running routine can have tons of benefits! Let’s dive into how yoga can help!\\n1. Breathing\\nProper breathing and breath stabilization are both incredibly important principles in Yoga and Running. If you can practice proper breathing while running, you can maintain speed longer because you will take long deeper breaths to match your long strides, instead of short breaths which cause instability and speed decline.\\nPracticing Pranayama for runners - \\nAdding a pranayama breath practice before a run can help you to maintain focus as well as speed. Even if running is a release for you, and feels relaxing, Using breathwork to relax and focus can help you clearly see the physical and mental road ahead. Pranayama can also help if things are going off course on your run. If you need to regain control, you can come back to your breath and refocus. With these practices together, your run really can be a religious experience, or a way to relieve stress! \\nTo start a pranayama practice, all you need to do is focus on controlling your inhale and exhale. Start by standing tall and relaxed, or sitting tall and calm if you prefer. Close your eyes and focus inward. Start by breathing in for two and out for two. As you continue to grow your practice, you can build up to breathing in for six and out for six. You can even play with pausing for two to four breaths in between your inhale and exhale. When you finally build a practice you’re confident with, you can start to set intentions and visualize your success. With this practice, you’ll begin to see your running dreams come true!\\n\\n2. Flexibility/Strength\\nIt would be great if in life, we only ever needed to do one thing to get to our goals. But in reality,just like we can’t have cookies for every meal, cross training for runners is essential to maintaining a long term healthy routine. While you could easily just add weight training or stretching a la cart into your week, yoga gives you more by going deeper and getting into those smaller, harder to access ligaments and tendons you might otherwise miss with strength training . Adding yoga into your running routine can reduce the risk of injury and help to maintain your goals. The more flexible your muscles are, the less likely they are to tense up or be stressed during running so you can move with more confidence and ease. Not to mention, it’s always great to look forward to a nice long stretch after a run. \\n\n3. Conditioning \\nWe all know running is GREAT for your cardiovascular health, can add years on to your life and keep your heart pumping at its best! But it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a veteran, running can make your body sore. Yoga is great for conditioning those tired and fatigued muscles without having to “take a day off” to rest. In between your runs or on conditioning days, you can take a class focused on your back or knee health, or even a class to open tight hips after a long run. There’s nothing the magic of yoga can’t do! \\n\n4. Balance/Posture\\nEven though running is a “walk in the park” compared to ballet where balance is concerned, you still need to do your best to focus on alignment while you move.\\nYoga can improve your running form by elongating the limbs so you cover more ground in less time. You'll be PR’ing in no time! Proper alignment is also important when running because as you increase your speed, the level of impact (and injury) becomes greater. Maintaining your body's alignment during movement assures you arrive at the finish line aliment free! Love a tree pose? Want to learn to fly into a warrior? Lots of yoga poses force you to balance on one leg, which helps you to build a unilateral movement practice much like the ebbs and flows you take while running. \\n5. Stress and Mental Clarity\\nFeeling stressed before a big run? Worried about your PR? Yoga can help! Focus your breathing and set an intention. You’ve got this!\\nFocus and clarity are so important when running so you can know where you’re headed and stay on track. Add your yoga practice in before training or race days and you’ll feel your worries melt away. According to scientists at \\nHarvard,\\n adding just minutes of yoga to your week can improve your outlook, slow down the body and decrease stress. You’ll find your body will be more relaxed, focused and ready to run for those goals when you release your tension with yoga. \\nGetting started:\\nSo what do you need to get started? Simple! Yourself, a mat, some water and a quiet space are all you need! Are you ready to add yoga into your running routine? \\nGet started with a two week free trial of our classes and one on one sessions!\\n\\nLet’s figure out where your yoga practice would serve you best! \\nDoing yoga BEFORE your run will help you to warm up your muscles and ligaments. By fully warming up your body before you hit the pavement, you decrease the chances of injury, help with an easier recovery and can improve your PR as you continue to train! \\nBest Yoga Poses to practice before a run :\\nHigh Lunge - This pose stretches the legs from top of the thighs down to the ankle\\n\\nWarrior II - Helps with focus and stamina. Great before heading out!\\n\\nSide angle bend - This stretch helps to stretch the side body and release any tension in the shoulders and spine. \\n\\nPrefer to do yoga after your run? That’s a great option too! Yoga is great for recovery after a run! Finishing your running routine with a yoga stretch helps you to rebalance. You can stretch muscles or limbs that became tight during your run and strengthen anything that may have become fatigued. You can also refocus and deepen your breath to reset for the next part of your day. \\nBest Yoga Poses to practice after a run :\\nButterfly Pose - a basic hip opener to ease into your stretch\\n\\nHalf Pigeon - A great pose for multiple alignments! Working through the psoas and hip flexors. Make sure to practice on both sides.\\n\\nHappy Baby - This pose is great for finishing up your hip opener extension while giving a nice massage to the back and stretching the soles of the feet.\\n\\nWant to take a class? Try some of our favorite classes for runners!\\n\\nYoga for Strength and flexibility \\n\\n\\nYoga for Knee Pain\\n\\n\\nYoga for Back health\\n\\nReady to join us for class? \\nGet started with a free trial now! \\n\\nRemember, with a great training plan for your runs, and an ongoing yoga practice you’ll be ready to run to your greatest finish line feeling and looking your best! Just like peanut butter and jelly, yoga and running are great together!"},"category":["fitness","yoga"]},{"id":"cl81n0o6wh1g80ajz2gpco553","slug":"yoga-at-home","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"How to Start Doing Yoga at Home","subTitle":"Everything you need to know for an at-home yoga routine","seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Get a beginner’s guide to starting yoga at home with tips and suggestions for setting up your own practice, including online yoga classes and private lessons.","readTime":null,"excerpt":"Learn how to perform yoga at home with this quick and easy guide","tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-14T13:07:13.39269+00:00","coverUrl":"cqivxw3vkrcihpumlny7.jpg","content":{"text":"There are lots of reasons for doing yoga at home instead of a yoga studio, some of which include distance, busy schedules, kids, financial concerns, and health issues. The good news is you can set up your own yoga practice at home, and still get all the benefits of a regular yoga routine — without the studio. It can also be a great way to integrate yoga into your life on a regular basis, and it’s easy to do in your own home.\\nCan Anyone do Yoga at Home?\\nAnyone can perform yoga at home, and you don’t have to be an advanced yogi to try. Even beginners can practice yoga in a home environment, all you need is adequate floor space, a few (optional) pieces of equipment, and guidelines for practicing the primary yoga poses. \\nIf you’re a beginner, it’s recommended to first learn from a certified yoga instructor, so you can progress with the proper technique and alignment to avoid injury. Thanks to online learning platforms like\\n MyYogaTeacher\\n, you can still practice yoga at home with the help of a qualified teacher.\\n11 Tips on How to Perform Yoga At Home\\nThe idea of starting a yoga practice in your very own living room can seem daunting or intimidating at first, especially if you’re accustomed to attending classes in a yoga studio. But with a little bit of preparation and creativity, you can set up your own yoga space and develop a mindful yoga routine that can benefit your life.\\nHere are some suggestions to help get you started:\\n1. Make Space in Your Home for Yoga\\nIt’s easy (and fun) to make your own yoga space, and you can design it as a temporary space or a dedicated one, depending on your needs. All you need is enough floor space to move around and stretch out the full length of your body — a little more than the length and width of your yoga mat. This can be your living or bedroom floor, your kitchen, or your backyard. Just make sure there isn’t any furniture or objects lying around that could get in your way or cause injury.\\n2. Decorate With Calming Accessories\\nYou can also create a comfortable and inviting space for yoga by hanging calming or inspiring artwork on the wall, lighting a candle or incense, and keeping a few house plants nearby for a pleasing atmosphere. The more you can tailor and dedicate your space for yoga, the easier it will be to motivate yourself to keep up a steady routine. Hanging a mirror in front of your practice space is also helpful in maintaining the correct alignment while performing postures.\\n3. Be Prepared With the Right Equipment\\n\\nYou’ll want to invest in a yoga mat, and it’s wise to also keep modifying props on hand — like blocks, bolsters, blankets, and a strap. If you’re just starting out and you’d like to improvise for props, you can use pillows, blankets, and other items around the house to suit your needs. Just make sure your props are sturdy, supportive, and nearby for when you need them.\\n4. Practice Regularly\\nThe best part about practicing yoga at home is it can be done any time you want. The challenge lies in your dedication and commitment to the practice even when your couch appears more inviting.\\n \\nAccording to this study\\n, it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days to create a new habit. It’s important to be patient with yourself and identify guidelines for your practice that you can realistically follow through with. \\n5. Schedule Your Yoga Session\\nSet yourself up for success by committing to your yoga practice at a certain time of day, and for a specified number of days per week. It’s best to start out easy with goals that are achievable and progress as you gain momentum. For instance, if you’ve never been an early riser, don’t expect yourself to suddenly start practicing yoga at dawn. If that’s the case, try scheduling your yoga session for late morning, afternoon or evening, and keep your existing schedule in mind when planning a time that works for you.\\n6. Keep it Simple\\nRegardless of your experience or ability level, practicing yoga at home means watching out for your own safety. Make sure you have props handy for when you need them, and avoid overdoing it with strenuous poses. When it doubt, keep your routine simple. Even if you’re an advanced yogi, those basic, primary yoga poses are still an important part of a holistic yoga practice, and may be less likely to cause injury.\\n7. Listen to Your Body\\nThe best way to avoid getting hurt while practicing yoga at home is to listen to your body. If any posture causes you discomfort or pain, stop practicing it immediately — no matter how easy or difficult the pose. Don’t push yourself too hard, and remember to focus on your alignment. If you are unsure of how to execute a specific pose, try learning it from a certified instructor before performing it on your own at home.\\n8. Take an Online Yoga Class\\n\\nBy far the best way to practice yoga at home is with an online class. This way, you get all the benefits of doing yoga at home in your own time, with the added help of an instructor who can make sure you’re performing poses safely and effectively. You can find\\n online group classes\\n for every type of yoga at\\n MyYogaTeacher\\n, with over 42 classes offered throughout the day. Private, 1-on-1 instructors are also available for at-home yoga, giving you plenty of options to get the right kind of training while still practicing in the comfort of your own home.\\n9. Squeeze in a Short Practice\\nThe beauty of an at-home yoga practice means you can squeeze in a quick session when you just have 20-30 minutes of time. Even short yoga routines are beneficial for your body and mind, and performing a few of the primary yoga poses on a daily basis will change your life for the better. Try incorporating the Sun Salutation flow series into your morning routine when you first get out of bed in the morning, or practicing some relaxing poses like Legs-Up-The-Wall or Savasana in the evening. \\n10. Switch it Up and Make it Fun\\nYoga doesn’t always have to be serious, and you can make your home yoga practice fun and spontaneous for you and your family. Practicing with your kids is a great way to help them learn mindfulness and self-awareness, while stretching and strengthening their growing bodies. You can also take your practice to the backyard to enjoy sunshine and good weather, or invite friends over to share in the experience. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!\\n11. End Every Practice With Savasana\\nWhen practicing yoga at home, it can be tempting to skip important parts of the journey due to time constraints, distractions, or disinterest. If there is one element of yoga you should never skip, it’s Savasana, or otherwise known as Corpse pose. Always end your practice with 5 minutes of relaxation to help your body integrate the routine. Keep a blanket nearby to warm your body after it has cooled down, and consider an eye pillow to help you relax. Your body and mind will thank you as you move on to the rest of your day, having given yourself the gift of healthy movement to better your life."},"category":["yoga","therapy"]}],"randomPosts":[{"id":"ckfqxn9ao013k0136vj4w0am0","slug":"teaching-as-a-learning-experience","author":{"name":"Pranjal","teacherMytSlug":"pranjal-1","pictureUrl":"pranjal-1.jpg"},"title":"Teaching as a Learning Experience","createdAt":"2019-04-17T00:00:00+00:00","coverUrl":"pranjal-1.jpg","content":{"text":"Recently, one of my friends asked me “You \\npractice yoga\\n, how has it changed your life?” However, how could I know what changed when I can’t remember a time when I didn’t practice yoga? \\n\\nI was very hyperactive as a child so my parents encouraged me to play sports and other physical activities. It was my grandmother who got me to start practicing yoga. \\n\\nMy grandmother was my first guru. \\n\\nSince then I have fallen in love with practicing yoga. It makes my body feel alive and my mind refreshed. If some days I am not able to practice, it makes me restless. So, this is where my yoga journey started, almost 20 years ago, under the gentle and encouraging guidance of my grandmother. \\n\\nI loved yoga and playing all sorts of sports. So, in school I was always participating in competitions. My love for yoga kept increasing. When the time came to decide what I was going to do after I graduated high school, I had only one thing in mind: I wanted to be a yoga teacher. But back then, yoga was not booming as it is now. My parents encouraged me to look at other interests which could help me earn. I was (and still am) interested in wildlife so I completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Biodiversity. I continued practicing yoga and I thought I could teach it as a hobby - if not take it up as a career. \\n\\nDuring the summer break, I attended a fitness instructor course which got me a part time job at a gym. During my final year of my Bachelor's, one of my clients at the gym asked if I practiced yoga as she thought I was very good at teaching her different stretches. She then asked me if I could start yoga classes at the gym. \\n\\nI was overwhelmed. \\n\\nI had never thought that I would get to live my dream of becoming a yoga teacher! I was extremely nervous and scared as I had never talked in front of so many people! Let alone teach them anything! Also, I was only 20 years old and all my students were above 40 years of age - which was intimidating. What if no one listened to me? What if no one liked how I was teaching? What if someone was injured because I gave the wrong instructions? These were the questions running through my mind. \\n\\nMy parents, the gym manager, and the clients each encouraged me to at least give it a try. So, I decided to teach a trial class. Only 5 people enrolled that day but even that was too much for me! On the day of the class, I was up early reading up about each asana and the sequence I had chosen. When I started teaching, even though I was nervous the entire time, I was surprisingly confident. I found out that I was learning quite a lot in the process of teaching! The people who came for the class were kind and encouraged me to keep teaching, saying they would attend my classes every week. \\n\\nAt first, teaching was terrifying.\\n\\nI painstakingly planned out entire classes, posture by posture. I practiced explaining how to get in and out of poses. I searched for hours on end until I came up with a theme or focus for my classes that I truly felt inspired by. I researched answers to potential questions from students. It was time consuming but the effort was rewarding. It never felt like work. Teaching yoga gave me a sense of satisfaction and happiness that I had never experienced before. To advance my knowledge in yoga and to get a formal certificate as a yoga teacher, I completed a Yoga Instructor Course from SVYASA University, Bangalore. This opened so many opportunities for me. \\n\\nI started conducting classes at the yoga center at a very reputable hospital in Pune. Here, I conducted sessions for doctors and hospital staff. Many of my students were doctors and knew much more about the human body than I did. They gave me feedback to improve my anatomical cues for my classes. \\n\\nI went back to my yoga school to teach yoga to kids. Teaching yoga and other sports to kids was a very rewarding experience. This made me realize the importance of yoga for improving overall health and sports performance. \\n\\nI got the opportunity to teach yoga and fitness to table tennis players who take part in competitions at state and national levels. My training has helped them improve their strength, flexibility and their game. \\n\\nI conducted two sessions on yoga for Workplace Stress Management at the Amazon office in Pune. Here I taught corporate employees how to manage and relieve stress with easy asanas, breathing and meditation which could be done at their desks. I taught two \\nonline yoga \\nsessions at the College of Charleston, USA as a part of the curriculum for Indian Culture. \\n\\nI now have 7 years of yoga teaching experience. \\n\\nI have experienced the benefits of yoga and I want to pass that on to as many people as I can. My classes have been a wonderful learning experience for me as a teacher and as an individual. They helped me to overcome my fear of public speaking, improve my communication skills and develop networking skills. I think these are essential for people in all walks of life. \\n\\nJust as my personal practice gave me the confidence to be who I am, teaching made me realize that confidence is very different from the confidence you need when teaching others. My experience has helped me gain that confidence over the years and I have reached a point where I can confidently teach a class of at least 30 students comfortably. I always want to keep learning and during my Master’s I found out that I like doing research. I have decided to pursue a degree in Exercise and Fitness research. I want to get into research about yoga so that what I teach will have scientific backing and not just ancient wisdom. \\n\\nYoga has opened up so many opportunities for me and I hope to keep on growing and learning. You too can take a similar journey and find out how yoga can change your life. By taking an online class at \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n with a certified instructor, you can \\nstart your personal practice in your very own space\\n and experience all the wonderful benefits of yoga. "}},{"id":"ckk6171m80qng09252bc0eedt","slug":"what-to-look-for-in-yoga-ttc","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"7 Things To Look For in Your Next Yoga Teacher Training","createdAt":"2021-01-20T23:02:14.849663+00:00","coverUrl":"shutterstock_1661655565.jpg","content":{"text":"Community Experience\\nQuality of Teachers\\nWell rounded Curriculum\\nYoga Alliance Certification\\nSchedule & Location\\nType of TTC: 200-hr, 300-hr, 500-hr, Yoga Therapy\\nCourse Price\\n\\n[CTA-DEFAULT]\\n\\nIf you want to have the best possible experience, \\nhere are 7 key-factors you should look for in your next Yoga TTC\\n.\\n\\n\\n1. Community Experience\\n\\nYou would never know this without having done a teacher training course\\n, but the community experience is one of the best (or worst) parts of a TTC.\\n\\nYou should \\nnever sign up for a TTC where you haven't connected with the community\\n. So no random residentials in Bali or taking a TTC at the local yoga studio. Not unless you've done at least a few classes there and seen if you like it.\\n\\nThe \\nlast thing you want is to spend 200 to 500 hours feeling awkward\\n around people who just aren't 'your people'!\\n\\nWhen you \\nfind a studio, retreat center, or online community you vibe with\\n, then you'll likely have an \\nincredible TTC experience\\n. You'll make life-long friends who have the same passion for personal growth, authenticity, kindness, and joy in their life!\\n\\nBut none of this is likely if you don't check out the community first. That's why at myYogaTeacher \\nyou can start off with a 2-week free trial before ever signing up for the TTC\\n (or any other course or workshop).\\n\\n\\n2. Quality of Teachers\\n\\nNext, you'll want to \\nbe sure that the teachers leading the TTC are highly qualified and experienced yoga teachers\\n.\\n\\nNot only do you want them to be experienced at teaching yoga, you want to make sure they are \\nexperienced at teaching other teachers to teach yoga\\n.\\n\\nYou see, TTCs are a fast way for yoga teachers to make a lot of money. So for the really good teachers, it becomes an essential part of their lifestyle. \\n\\nBut it also attracts a lot of brand new teachers looking to increase their income.\\n\\nSo \\nyou'll want to find out how many TTCs they've led, and what previous students thought about it\\n. Any well established TTC will be able to offer you testimonials from previous students. And will be quick to answer your questions about how many TTC's they've led.\\n\\nRohan, the lead teacher for \\nmyYogaTeacher's TTCs has lead 17 in-person TTCs, 6 online TTCs, and managed 13 other TTCs\\n. That's a lot more than your average Yoga TTC leader, but it's important to know you're in good hands!\\n\\nAnd true to our own tests, \\nyou can see what past TTC graduates are saying here\\n.\\n\\n\\n3. Well Rounded Curriculum\\n\\nA Yoga Teacher Training is a life changing opportunity to go deeper in yoga. You can discover aspects of yoga no regular class has the time or structure to show you.\\n\\nBut that being said, \\nif your TTC curriculum is bland, or asana only, you'll continue to only scratch the surface of what yoga has to offe\\nr.\\n\\nThat's why it's so\\n important that your TTC covers more than just asana and correct alignment\\n... that's the minimum.\\n\\nYou want to \\nfind a TTC that also dives into pranayama (yogic breathing exercises), meditation, yogic philosophy\\n. \\n\\nYou'll want a TTC where you learn about \\nPatanjali's Yoga Sutras\\n. Learning the sutras may sound academic and irrelevant. But it's practical, down to earth, and more relevant today than ever. This is \\nthe core of yogic philosophy\\n.\\n\\nAlthough you're probably signing up for the asana — \\nmost TTC students find that the philosophy and meditation practices are what transform their lives most\\n. \\n\\nYoga is a big beautiful ice-berg, and asana is just the tip...\\n\\nDon't worry though, any Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Teacher Training Course must have a well rounded curriculum.\\n\\n\\n4. Yoga Alliance Certification\\n\\nThis certification is becoming less and less relevant. Because more studio owners and yogis are realizing it's mainly a tax on teachers and studios. But it's still a certification you'll want to have.\\n\\nIt used to be that to get a job teaching yoga, you had to have Yoga Alliance certification. That's slowly changing. But today, \\nif you want to be eligible to teach yoga at most studios, you're still going to want Yoga Alliance certification\\n.\\n\\nSo make sure whatever TTC you sign up for is accredited by the Yoga Alliance. \\nAfter you graduate your TTC and receive your certificate\\n, you can go to \\nyogaalliance.org\\n and register for certification. Then, as a teacher, you pay a yearly fee to keep your certification.\\n\\nMost yoga teachers feel like it's just a way to tax yoga schools and yoga teachers. But they do, at least, \\nenforce a minimum standard of quality for TTCs\\n. So it's not all bad.\\n\\nThat's why it's still in your best interest to make sure your TTC is Yoga Alliance certified. And for this reason, \\nall myYogaTeacher TTCs are Yoga Alliance certified\\n.\\n\\n\\n5. Schedule & Location\\n\\nThis one comes down to personal preference and lifestyle. There are \\ntwo main types of TTC; residential and non-residential\\n.\\n\\nA \\nresidential TTC\\n is often in a beautiful location like India, Bali, Mexico, or some other tropical area. You carve out anywhere from one to three months of your life, to go live at a yoga retreat center. There, you study and practice yoga full-time. Usually 6 to 10 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week.\\n\\nThis is a great way to have \\na fully immersive experience and do nothing but yoga for a few months\\n.\\n\\nNot all of us can do that. \\nWith kids, work, and other responsibilities non-residential TTCs are the best option for most of us.\\n\\nIn a \\nnon-residential TTC\\n, you \\nstudy part time\\n at your local yoga studio or online. The schedule is still intense, because you need to finish anywhere from 150 to 450 hours of class time (the last 50 hours is self-study).\\n\\nThis means that for a 200-hour TTC, you'll need to spend 150-hours in class. So even at part time, 12 hours a week, that's a 3 month course.\\n\\nYou'll want to find a TTC that has the right schedule for you. Is 6 hours a week for 6 months better for you, or 12 hours a week for 3 months? Do weekends work better, or weekday nights?\\n\\nFor you, these may be inflexible. But \\nafter watching hundreds of students complete TTCs, I've seen that most people can make any schedule work\\n. Even a working mom can do 12 hours on the weekend. It's an adjustment, but I often hear them saying things like; \\n\\n\"I didn't know how I would do it, it was so much time every weekend. But I really wanted to join the TTC and I knew that if I didn't do it now, I might never do it! Then, it turned out to be completely manageable. Actually, I look forward to every Saturday, it's the best part of my week. And I'm getting so much 'me' time!\" \\n - every mom who takes a TTC\\n\\nSo \\nbefore getting too hung up on the schedule, ask yourself, \"can I make this work?\" And if so, then focus on the other parts first; the community, teachers, and a well rounded curriculum.\\n\\n\\n6. Type of TTC: 200-hr, 300-hr, 500-hr, Yoga Therapy\\n\\nThere are dozens of popular styles of yoga and many different types of TTCs.\\n\\nWhen it comes to the style of yoga;\\n Vinyasa, Ashtanga, \\nPower Yoga\\n, or some home-brand yoga — don't worry too much here. \\nIf you've taken classes with the teacher, you know their style. Do you like it? If so, then you'll probably love the TTC\\n. If not, move on until you find a teacher with a style you do like.\\n\\nWhat you don't want to do\\n is go looking for a specific style, thinking \\n\"I've heard Vinyasa is the best, I should only do a Vinyasa TTC.\"\\n That's a quick way to waste a lot of money and have a disappointing experience.\\n\\nRemember, this TTC is as much for you as it is for your future students\\n. You want to make sure that you have a deeply uplifting and enlightening experience. And you want to share a style of yoga that you love, not the one you heard is \"better\".\\n\\nDo you know what I mean?\\n\\nNow when it comes to \\nthe type of TTC\\n: 200-hr, 300-hr, 500-hr or Yoga Therapy, \\nchoosing is pretty easy\\n.\\n\\nA \\n200-hour TTC is perfect for beginners\\n. It's the entry point and smallest time commitment. If you like the TTC experience, you can always take a 300-hr TTC later. This will bump your training hours up to a total of 500.\\n\\nThe \\n300-hour TTC has traditionally been for people who have already completed a 200-hour TTC\\n. That's changing recently, but it's still the norm. This is a great way to get 500-hours of certified training, without having to quit your job or dedicate 9 months of your weekends to full-days of study... Intense!\\n\\nA \\n500-hour TTC is good for beginner to advanced yogis\\n. It's basically the 200-hour and 300-hour rolled into one. You make a big commitment and dedicate a few months of your life to a deep-dive, full-time yoga immersion. These are usually residential.\\n\\nAnd finally, a \\nYoga Therapy TTC\\n. These are \\nfor advanced teachers who want to specialize\\n in solving big problems for their clients. You don't have to be super flexible or anything like that. But you will become an expert at anatomy, perfect alignment, and healing all sorts of injuries and illnesses with yoga. These TTCs are often 600-900 hours of training, with long apprenticeships. \\n\\nYou typically must have already graduated a 200-hour or 500-hour Teacher Training Course, before you can apply to join a Yoga Therapy TTC. So graduating a TTC is a prerequisite for Yoga Therapy TTCs.\\n\\nIf you've never taken a Yoga Teacher Training Course, you'll probably want to start with either the 200-hr TTC\\n or 500-hr TTC, depending on the time and energy commitment you want to make.\\n\\n\\n7. Course Price\\n\\nThe last thing you want to do is pay more than you should\\n when it comes to your next Yoga Teacher Training Course.\\n\\nYoga TTCs are not cheap to begin with. So you probably don't want to overpay.\\n\\nIn a studio, you can expect to pay around $3,500 for a 200-hr TTC\\n (plus or minus $800). This is a fair range, so watch out for any 200-hour TTC that costs more than $4,300. Unless the teacher is famous or highly sought after, you're probably better off going elsewhere.\\n\\nBut these days, \\nunderpaying is even more of a problem\\n. You see, for the first time ever, Yoga TTCs have gone online. \\nYou'll see 200-hr online TTCs for $900, $600, even $400. \\n\\nWhy is this a problem?\\n\\nWhat these TTCs aren't telling you is that 85% of the course is pre-recorded video\\n. That's how they keep the cost down and therefore the price down. It's not so different from what you might find free on YouTube.\\n\\nI don't know about you, but I \\ndon't want my next yoga teacher to have learned from a bunch of YouTube videos!\\n\\nThat's a quick way to injure yourself, and your future students.\\n\\nDefinitely and absolutely, weather in-person or online, make sure your next TTC is 100% live instruction. It's totally OK to take a TTC online, just make sure it is 100% live.\\n\\nSo you get to ask questions DURING class, DURING lectures, and DURING examples. Not just at \"office hours\" 1-week after the class, when you forgot your questions anyways.\\n\\nWith live instruction you get feedback in every practice session. And importantly, you learn the nuances of the asanas.\\n\\nTTCs can be tough. Long hours and lots of learning\\n. With \\nlive instruction and an interactive setting\\n (only possible in-person or through live classes online), you \\nstay motivated and connect with your new yoga community\\n.\\n\\nThat's why \\nevery one of myYogaTeacher's TTCs is 100% live\\n. You'll find the price very reasonable. It's much less expensive than in-person at a studio, but necessarily enough to pay living breathing teachers to give every class live.\\n\\nIf you're interested in a 100% Live TTC\\n, \\nyou can check out myYogaTeacher's TTC full course description here\\n (with testimonials, course syllabus, and reasonable rates).\\n\\nWhen you follow these 7-steps, you can't go wrong. You'll have an incredible TTC experience, make new friends for life, and walk away a better yogi, better parent, better human\\n... You'll be less reactive, with more self-acceptance, and more full of joy!\\n\\nSo now you have everything you need to choose your next TTC wisely. And \\nif you have any questions\\n about TTCs or myYogaTeacher's upcoiming TTCs, feel free to drop us a line and ask at \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n"}},{"id":"ckfqz5py0021r01793cx4tr5o","slug":"pain-in-the-neck-try-these-3-desk-checks-to-spot-the-culprit","author":{"name":"Jitendra","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":"jitendra1.png"},"title":"Pain in the neck? Try these 3 desk checks to spot the culprit","createdAt":"2020-02-20T00:00:00+00:00","coverUrl":"lucija-ros-FzQiiLqcRtE-unsplash.jpg","content":{"text":"How many hours a week do you spend at your desk, driving a car, or looking at your phone? \\n\\nIntroducing TECH NECK! This is a fun term that \\nYoga teachers\\n call that forward position your neck is in for those activities. \\n\\n\\nSee that slight forward lean of the head? Thats what we are talking about. You hold this position for a long time (think 40+ hours a week!) and you're gonna have neck issues. \\n\\nIf you have neck pain, ask your teacher for the right yoga practice to LOOSEN UP YOUR WHOLE SPINE. He or she will be able to share the most effective \\nyoga postures\\n to benefit your whole body. \\n\\nIn the meantime, here are three checks you can do to see if TECH NECK is the cause of your neck troubles!\\n\\nCheck your monitor height. \\n\\nSit up straight, ears aligned over your shoulders. When you look straight ahead, can you see your monitor? If not, adjust it so you can.\\n\\nMake sure your feet are supported. \\n\\nYoue feet should be on the ground with a 90-degree angle at your knees. You can adjust your seat height or get a foot rest to help!\\n\\n\\nGet up and move!\\n\\nThis might sound like a cop-out, but really! Getting movement in throughout the day is super important. Check in - how long are you sitting at one time? Aim for getting up and moving every 15 to 20 minutes. \\n"}}],"relatedPosts":[{"id":"cl74jtlu93yyq0ak0ti37gc8g","slug":"yoga-practice-for-women","author":{"name":"Divya","teacherMytSlug":"divya-1","pictureUrl":"divya-1.jpg"},"title":"The Importance of a Yoga practice for Women","createdAt":"2022-08-22T09:21:21.098639+00:00","coverUrl":"llizejqjzzeaxaxii2ey.jpg","content":{"text":"Why adding Yoga to your routine can make you feel like your most calm and confident self.\\nWe all know women have a lot on their plate. With all the things we have to get done in a day, it’s hard to remember to add taking care of ourselves to the list. We sometimes find time for a trip to the gym, a podcast episode or a quick walk between our to-do list, but the benefits of taking even 10 minutes to do yoga or a meditation can carry us through stressful days, help us sleep better or relieve pain and anxiety. Let’s break down why yoga is so important to the feminine being.\\nYoga is important for your mental health\\nA consistent yoga practice promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety and stress and can aid in mental clarity and a calm mind. Yoga is a great way to end your workday or transition from work back to your home life. If you have a high stress job, or you’re spending your day with kids, taking just five to ten minutes to breathe and stretch can put you in a clearer mindset to switch roles or tasks with ease. For example, Pranayama, the practice of focusing your breath takes only a few minutes and can help you adjust or focus your breathing, mind and heart. Pranayama is the yogic practice of focusing on breath. In Sanskrit, prana means \"vital life force\". In stressful situations, we can always come back to our breath. This is especially a great practice for women, as we tend to be a “lifesource” for our families.\\nLet’s find the right poses to ease your mind!\\nSuggested Poses for stress relief:\\nStanding Forward Fold :\\n\\nThis pose releases tension in the neck and back and is a physical and mental “letting go”\\nEasy Seat :\\n\\n Gentle hip opener, relieves physical and mental exhaustion.\\nChilds Pose : \\n\\nReleases the Nero and lymphatic systems.\\nSuggested Poses for anxiety relief:\\nHead to Knee forward bend :\\n\\nCalms the mind.\\nBridge pose : \\n\\nReduces anxiety and fatigue.\\nCamel Pose : \\n\\nBoost Energy.\\nSuggested Poses to calm the mind:\\nLegs up the wall : \\n\\nLegs up the \\nwall \\nallows your body complete relaxation.\\nCorpse Pose :\\n\\nQuiets your system and lowers your blood pressure\\nCat Pose :\\n\\nHelps to relieve stress and calm the mind.\\nYoga is important for your physical health\\nYou can find little ways to add yoga into your life every day to keep your body in tip top shape! You can add yoga to the end of your workout to lower your heart rate or choose it as a workout on “low impact” days. Believe it or not, yoga can actually take the place of strength training and cardio programs if you take the right classes! \\nMyYogaTeacher has so many options to support your active lifestyle! Yoga can improve flexibility, strength and even help with range of motion. So if you’ve got goals, we’ve got a class to fit them! \\n A normal yoga practice can keep your hormones in check and help with menopause and menstrual symptoms. Not feeling well? Tired? Yoga can also aid in normal digestion or help you maintain a healthy sleep cycle.\\nNow that you know yoga can help your physical body, let's find the right styles for you!\\nFor flexibility – If you’re trying to improve flexibility, you’re in luck! Most styles of yoga are GREAT for stretching and flexibility. If you’re looking to just stretch, we’d recommend a \\nrestorative \\nor \\nyin yoga class.\\n\\nFor Pain relief- If you’re in pain, try a focused Yin Yoga class for your injury or ailment. We have some great choices! Just use the search feature on our website! There are classes that are as specific as \\nyoga for knee pain \\nor yoga for digestion!\\nFor Strength – If you’re a warrior who loves to sweat, Vinyasa is your go to style. Try this low impact style that’s sure to raise your heart rate faster than any treadmill run. Are you a more advanced Yogi?\\n Try a Power Yoga\\n class!\\nYoga is important for your emotional wellbeing\\nMost yogis believe that yoga is a mind, body and soul practice meaning that it’s not just for fitness or for mental clarity, but it’s a life experience that can add joy and comfort to your everyday life. For most of us, the practice of yoga is what we take back to our lives long after we leave the mat. \\nYoga can improve your energy-\\n A study done by Oxford\\n, found that a yoga practice and yoga breathing can restore your energy better than any other visualization or relaxation practice.\\nYoga helps connect the mind and body- While our mind and body are always physically connected, Yoga makes us stop, think and question that connection. It trains us to concentrate on our breath and connect our thoughts to one body part, or move at a time. Which helps us to increase focus.\\nAnd last, but certainly not least, yoga is great for socialization! Group fitness classes help us to make friends, or find friends who share our common interests or goals. Who doesn’t love taking a class with their friends? And with our site, you can take class together from the comfort of your own homes!\\nReady to fit yoga into your life? Let’s find a way to make it work for you!\\nWhen can you fit in yoga if you have a busy schedule? Unlike a traditional studio or gym, Our website makes it easy for you to fit yoga in when it works for you! Classes run live from 6am to 9pm. And you can take classes at home, on vacation or even at work on your lunch break. You can take your practice anywhere with our \\nvirtual options\\n. Don’t think you can commit to a live class? Watch your recordings later on your own time! \\nAre you a stay-at-home mom? Do you feel like you can’t get away for a workout? Do it with them! Make yoga time a part of your family’s routine to either start or end the day. We even have kid’s classes you can take together! \\nTry one today!\\n\\nNot a fan of group fitness? Maybe you prefer to workout alone or have specific goals you want to meet. Our\\n one on one option\\n is great for deepening your practice or working directly with an instructor to meet your goals on your timeline! \\nSo whichever reason speaks to you, even with all the things you have to do for your family or work, You can always make time for yoga and add more joy to your life with a yoga practice. Where there’s a will there’s a way. All you need for yoga is your body and a commitment to yourself! Make the time to start your practice today! Your body will thank you!\\n\\nReady to get started? Grab a free trial!\\n"}},{"id":"cl15mzam56v6p0civ30s56jgb","slug":"yoga-for-menopause","author":{"name":"Sarita","teacherMytSlug":"","pictureUrl":null},"title":"Yoga for Menopause : Why Menopausal Women Benefit From Yoga","createdAt":"2022-03-24T23:39:17.49117+00:00","coverUrl":"ik4av8npvdeyhe4qheep.jpg","content":{"text":"Did you know menopause yoga is a a real form of yoga? Granted, it’s not a traditional form of yoga like ashtanga, vinyasa, or yin yoga are. But it incorporates authentic, traditional yoga poses that benefit menopausal women.\\nMenopause may be a touchy subject for some of you, but here at MyYogaTeacher, we believe in being open and honest about all parts of our humanity.\\nDiscussing typically taboo topics like menopause helps women learn how to better manage their symptoms and lets them know they are not alone. \\nDuring menopause, women often seek medical treatment for their physical and psychological symptoms. But yoga for menopause symptoms offers hope for a natural remedy for many of the symptoms that you may experience during this transitional time! \\nAt MyYogaTeacher, every member is a part of a supportive community of yogis. We have students from all ages, all walks of life and who are experiencing many different phases of the human life cycle, including menopause.\\nMyYogaTeacher offers 1:1 classes with authentic yoga instructors from the birthplace of yoga, India! And if you haven’t experienced virtual private yoga classes yet, MyYogaTeacher makes 1:1 classes affordable and accessible! PLUS, with your membership, you get:\\n\\nRadiance! More energy, peace of mind, and better health & fitness\\n42+ daily group yoga classes, 100% live!\\nDiscounted yoga workshops, all live and interactive!\\nMaking new like-minded friends from around the world\\n\\nGrab your 2-week free trial and check out your membership options here!\\n\\nLearn more below about why menopausal women benefit from a consistent yoga practice!\\n\\n\\nRestorative yoga poses alleviate hot flashes\\nNo one really knows why women have hot flashes during (and even before) menopause. But this classic symptom is recognizable by an intense surge in body temperature and increased heart rate, making women feel flushed and hot.\\nYoga for menopause shouldn’t be vigorous. Any tension in the body or tightening of the muscles can make hot flashes worse. Cooling, restorative poses such as reclining bound angle pose, child’s pose, reclining hero pose, and reclined butterfly pose are good ones to help alleviate hot flashes. \\nAdditionally, using bolsters, blankets, blocks, or other props to make your yoga practice more comfortable is encouraged!\\n\\n\\nYoga for menopause helps manage decreased hormone symptoms\\nTraditionally, the allopathic route to resolving symptoms of decreased hormone production has been hormone replacement therapy. Doctors believe that to combat menopausal symptoms, replacing decreasing hormones such as estrogen was a solid solution.\\nUnfortunately, studies have shown that hormone replacement exposes women to serious health risks. Risks like dementia, stroke, heart attacks, as well as several types of cancer.\\nWhile yoga might not directly affect estrogen production, it has certainly shown to be effective at holistically managing the symptoms that occur due to the lack of estrogen that is produced during menopause.\\nSymptoms such as irritability, insomnia, fatigue, and lack of focus can all be managed with a consistent yoga practice.\\n\\n\\nMenopausal women are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease\\nIn an \\narticle from the National Institute of Health\\n, studies show the use of yoga therapy for menopausal women decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). During menopause, women become more insulin resistent and have increased metobolic and vascular changes, all of which strongly contribute to CVD.\\nIncreasing evidence demonstrates that with proper guidance, yoga helps menopausal women reduce their risk of CVD, particularly in older adults who may have pre-existing medical conditions that make them especially prone to cardiovascular issues.\\nYoga also provides mental, physical, and emotional health benefits to this population of women that will help them live a more comfortable, happy, healthy life during and after menopause!\\n\\n\\nYoga poses for menopause\\nI guess you’re wondering what are some yoga poses you can do to help alleviate your menopausal symptoms! Let’s go over a few here to get you started.\\nYoga poses for mood swings\\nForward bend - \\nRelaxes the mind, fights depression and anxiety, calms the nervous system\\nBow pose - \\nOpens up the chest, lifts mood, and stimulates digestive organs\\nCamel pose - \\nHelps you feel safe and secure and aids in working through negative emotions\\nDownward facing dog - \\nIncreases circulation and wakes you up\\nLegs up a wall - \\nReduces fatigue and insomnia, calms the brain and relieves depression\\nYoga poses for hot flashes\\nChild’s pose - \\nCalms the heart rate, cools the body\\nReclining hero pose - \\nRelieves tight muscles that tense up when you’re uncomfortable\\nBridge pose - \\nReduces pain in back and stretches the neck and spine, improves circulation\\nReclining bound angle pose - \\nHelps create hormonal balance from overtaxed adrenal glands\\nWide leg forward bend - \\nLowers heart rate and blood pressure, cooling the body\\nYoga poses for cramps and heavy bleeding\\nSupine twist pose - \\nMassages reproductive organs, relieves tension in those areas\\nChild’s pose - \\nStretch lower back and allows lower abdominal muscles to relax\\nBow pose - \\nStretches out abdominal muscles and opens up reproductive organs\\nCobra pose - \\nStretches out abdominal muscles and puts gentle pressure on lower abdomen\\nHead to knees forward bend - \\n Relieves menstrual cramps, headache, and fatigue\\nTrying any or all of these poses each day you’re experiencing menopausal symptoms is sure to get you feeling better quickly, but try practicing yoga therapy for menopause every day for consistent relief from the uncomfortable symptoms you may be experiencing during this transitional time in your life.\\nAnd if you need some more guidance on how to get through these transitions with more ease, grace, and comfort, I encourage you to check out the affordable 1-on-1 private online yoga classes at MyYogaTeacher! We help people just like you!\\nNot a MyYogaTeacher member? Whether you’re interested in teaching yoga, starting yoga, or growing in your yoga journey, MyYogaTeacher is a great place to do it!\\nWhen you sign up for a 1:1 membership with us you get:\\n102 expert\\n, highly qualified yoga instructors to choose from\\nThe ability to switch instructors\\n or take classes with only your faves\\nAccess to unlimited group classes\\n, taught \\nlive\\nPersonalized instruction\\n and work out, diet, and lifestyle plans\\nTo be a member of a HUGE community\\n of happy yogis from around the world\\nYoga teachers who become friends\\n, who truly care about you!\\nIf you haven’t checked us out already, \\ngrab two free 1:1 sessions with your 2-week free trial here\\n!"}},{"id":"ckwdpa0u0011t0c23kpyjxwa0","slug":"yoga-prevents-spine-problems","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"4 Secrets of How Yoga Prevents Spinal Deterioration As You Age","createdAt":"2021-11-24T15:47:15.123194+00:00","coverUrl":"ngozsw6y1tjnktrz854l.jpg","content":{"text":"It should come as no surprise to you that joints and bones deteriorate as we age. Mainstream media would have us think that we can look and feel eternally youthful until we die. But that simply isn’t true.\n\nAging is natural. Aging \\ngracefully\\n takes work!\\nOne of the biggest struggles many people face as they age is back pain due to spinal deterioration and degenerative disc disease. \\nEven long time practitioners of yoga will, eventually, experience back pain and spine limitations.\\nWe love a good group yoga class as much as the next yogi, but sometimes we need more guidance in our yoga practice to help us navigate the physical changes and challenges that present themselves during our later years of life.\\nThe good news? Yoga helps prevent back pain due to spinal deterioration. As a matter of fact, yoga delays – \\nand can prevent\\n – the onset of spinal degeneration. And we’re going to dish the deets on how!\\nIf you’re on the hunt for more guidance on how to cure back pain and prevent spinal deterioration, or just looking for expert instruction and personalized attention, we invite you to \\ncheck out MyYogaTeacher’s 1:1 classes with your 2-week free trial here! \\n\\nWith MYT’s 1:1 Membership Plans, you get private, personalized sessions with your favorite yoga teachers, unlimited group classes (over 35 different ones), and recordings of your 1:1 sessions \\nand\\n group classes! \\nThis is especially helpful for yogis who are experienced but are ready to up their yoga game and experience even \\nmore\\n benefits from their yoga practice.\\nNow, on to the secret sauce to how yoga helps prevent late-life back pain and problems.\\n\\n\\n 1. Yoga elongates your spine.\\n\nOne of the primary sources of degenerative disc disease is spinal compression. Spinal compression increases inflammation in the spine and causes friction in the discs.\\n\\nStudies show\\n that yoga instructors who have been practicing yoga for 10 years or more have significantly fewer signs, if any, of degenerative disc disease compared to those who don’t practice yoga or those who haven’t practiced yoga long or consistently.\\nWith the number of people in the United States spending more and more time sitting for work or leisure activities, it’s a fair assumption that diseases of the spine may well be on the rise.\\nOf particular note, these same studies discuss the importance of proper alignment when practicing yoga and how inadvertently doing poses wrong can harm your spine. \\nSo if you’re unsure about whether you’re aligned or not during your practice, we encourage you to seek out a yoga teacher or advanced yogi who can help with that!\\n\\n\\n2. Yoga decreases weight-bearing on the spine.\\nYour skeleton literally bears a lot of weight, particularly your spine. Think about how much weight your cervical spine holds – an average of 11 lbs!\\nThat’s right. Your neck is composed of 7 vertebrae and is responsible for holding up (and keeping safe) your head, which averages about 5 kg or 11 lbs. While the rest of your spine is pretty sturdy and capable of holding up to about 1,000 lbs, it is still significantly affected by the weight it carries, especially if there is excess weight around your midsection.\\nReducing the weight on the spine allows for more nutrients to diffuse into the discs. Ever wonder why you feel so light and airy and radiant when you finish your yoga practice? \\nYep, it’s because you gave your body more nutrients and oxygen!\\nSounds simple, right? But sometimes you just don’t know all the right moves for \\nyour\\n body to get the most out of your yoga practice.\\nIf that’s the case, regular 1:1 sessions with an experienced yoga teacher (either virtually or in person) might be exactly what you need!\\n\\n\\n3. Yoga increases muscle strength.\\nIf you’ve been practicing yoga for a while, you already have firsthand experience with how yoga improves your strength and mobility.\\nYoga not only strengthens the tiny muscles surrounding your spine, but a regular yoga practice protects your spine from deterioration by building up your core and improving your posture. Two things that definitely impact your spinal health.\\nDegenerative disc disease and spinal deterioration are considered a “normal” part of aging. By the age of 40, most people have at least one degenerative disc. By the age of eighty, 80% of the American population has severe spinal deterioration.\\nExercise of almost any kind is shown to help reduce signs of aging, particularly in your spine. However, yoga has an even greater positive impact on spinal health because of the multi-faceted benefits it provides!\\nWhile Hatha yoga is the most popular form of yoga because it’s gentle and slower, experienced yogis may practice other forms of yoga that benefit spinal health, such as Ashtanga and Iyengar.\\nHowever, if practiced wrong, those practices may injure instead of heal and prevent spinal disease, causing back pain and limited movement.\\nIf you’re interested in growing in your yoga journey but are not sure about the quality of your form, your alignment, or are trying to cure your back pain, \\nwe encourage you to check out the 1-on-1 plans MyYogaTeacher has available!\\n\\nMaking personalized attention from expert yoga instructors affordable and accessible is important to us because we truly believe in the power of yoga to heal!\\nNot all forms of exercise specifically improve posture and muscle strength around the spine like yoga does.\\n\\n\\n4. Long-term yoga practice reduces inflammation\\nWe’ve talked about how yoga reduces inflammation in the body before. But when we think of inflammation, we don’t tend to think about the spine.\\nStress responses produce systemic inflammation, which means no area of the body is immune. Injuries and surgeries also cause inflammation. Pain, in general, emotional, mental, or physical, increases cortisol levels.\\nWhen the muscles surrounding the spine are inflamed, back pain ensues, even if that inflammation isn’t directly from spinal issues.\\nA regular yoga practice reduces back pain. Yoga cures back pain too!\\nOne of the primary benefits of yoga is reduced inflammation in the body, a result of lower stress levels. Spinal deterioration is often more progressive when there is consistent inflammation in the muscles surrounding the spine.\\nThis means that the more you regularly practice yoga, the less back pain you will experience.\\nNot only are you preventing back issues by strengthening your spinal muscles and core, you're relieving tension with stretches and reducing friction between the vertebrae and discs due to reduced levels of inflammation.\\nMaybe you’re an experienced yogi who knew this already. Maybe you’re not! Or maybe you are at an age where protecting your spine and preventing spinal problems is more challenging than it was a decade or two ago.\n\nWhatever the case, MyYogaTeacher is here to help! When you sign up for a 1:1 membership with us you get:\\n102 expert\\n, highly qualified yoga instructors to choose from\\nThe ability to switch instructors\\n or take classes with only your faves\\nAccess to unlimited group classes\\n, taught \\nlive\\nPersonalized instruction\\n and work out, diet, and lifestyle plans\\nTo be a member of a HUGE community\\n of happy yogis from around the world\\nYoga teachers who become friends\\n, who truly care about you!\\nIf you haven’t checked us out already, \\ngrab TWO FREE 1:1 sessions with your 2-week free trial here\\n!\\n\n\n"}}],"blogContent":{"id":"ckli3sc2gctet0c85549pmyiw","slug":"restorative-yoga-deep-relaxation","author":{"name":"Gloria","teacherMytSlug":"gloria-1","pictureUrl":"gloria-pro-1.jpg"},"title":"Restorative Yoga: A Practice for Deep Relaxation","createdAt":"2021-02-23T14:27:42.840065+00:00","updatedAt":"2022-08-01T06:47:45.76788+00:00","coverUrl":"restorative_yoga__ckli3sc2gctet0c85549pmyiw.png","seoDescription":"Looking for a yoga practice that is gentle on your body, reduces stress and anxiety, and can help manage pain? You don't want to miss this restorative yoga practice from myYogaTeacher!","content":{"text":"If you've never experienced restorative yoga, you're in for a treat! This type of yoga is suitable for everyone—from beginners to advanced yoga practitioners. Restorative yoga is a restful yoga practice in which poses are held for longer periods of time for deep, passive stretches. Restorative yoga typically involves the use of props like bolsters, yoga blocks, cushions, and blankets.\\n\\nIn this 60-minute restorative yoga practice, I'll help you relax, relieve tension, and build communion between your body and mind. If you enjoy this practice, please find more classes with me on \\nmyYogaTeacher\\n.\\n\\nBenefits of Restorative Yoga\\nRestorative yoga offers several wonderful benefits:\\nIt's gentle on the body and can help \\nstrengthen the connective tissues\\n around your bones and joints when practiced consistently.\\nThe deep breathing that accompanies restorative yoga \\ncalms the nervous system\\n, promoting relaxation.\\nIncreased relaxation from restorative yoga can \\nimprove sleep and sleep quality\\n.\\nAll types of yoga are associated with \\nimproved mental and physical well-being\\n and can even help people who experience \\ndepression, anxiety, stress, and other mood disorders\\n.\\nRestorative yoga (along with other styles of yoga) is an excellent way to \\nreduce and manage musculoskeletal pain\\n.\\nRestorative Yoga Practice for Deep Relaxation\\nLet's start our restorative yoga practice with a gentle warm-up. Come to your hands and knees with your knees hip-distance apart and your toes tucked. Press your palms into the mat directly below your shoulders with your fingers spread wide. From here, we're going to flow through cat and cow 5 times.\\n\\nCome to a comfortable seated position with your legs crossed. Interlock your fingers and gently bring your arms to the ceiling, lengthening your spine. Inhale. On the exhale, keep your spine lengthened and stretch to the right. Inhale back to center and exhale to the left. Repeat this stretch on both sides. Gently release your arms down.\\n\\nPlace your right palm on your left knee and roll your left shoulder back and down, placing your left hand on the mat behind you. Twist gently, looking over your left shoulder. Release to the center and repeat the twist to the right side.\\n\\nMove your arms into eagle pose with your right arm over the left. Flow through cat and cow poses 3 times, keeping your elbows bent at 90º and your arms away from your body. Repeat this with your arms in eagle pose, this time placing your left arm over the right.\\n\\nThat should be enough to wake up your spine and make you ready for restorative yoga.\\n\\nIn this practice, we'll use a couple of different sizes of bolsters, but if you don't have bolsters you can put together two of the pillows you use at bedtime for the large bolster and use one pillow each for the two smaller bolsters. You'll also need two small cushions, a chair, and a small blanket.\\n\\nWe'll start by placing the chair at one end of the mat and placing the blanket, folded, in front of it. Lay down on the folded blanket on your side and roll onto your back, lifting your legs onto the chair. Your calves will be on the chair and your hips slightly away from the chair.\\n\\nPlace your arms by the side of your body, shoulders relaxed, and let your calf muscles melt into your chair (or bed, wherever you're using to hold your legs). Let your legs relax, your knees and feet rolling outward, naturally. Close your eyes and relax here, moving only to breathe with long, deep inhales and long, complete exhales. Consciously relax the back of your neck, relax your legs, keep your eyes closed. Spend the time relaxing and observing your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.\\n\\nBring your awareness back to your body, gently wiggling your fingers and toes. Roll onto your side and lay there for a moment before sitting up.\\n\\nBring your large bolster in line with the center of your matt and put the two cushions at the top of it. Sit with your hips at the base of the bolster. Bring the soles of your feet together and let your knees fall open. Use your two smaller bolsters to support your knees. Roll onto the larger bolster, keeping your hips grounded. Take a moment to roll your shoulders to the side and dropping your shoulders down. Adjust your hips to your comfort. Elongate your spine. Place your arms to the side of your body and relax in this position. Surrender your body completely to the asana and observe your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.\\n\\nBring your knees back together, keeping the soles of your feet on the ground. Roll to one side and gently come to sitting.\\n\\nKeep the large bolster where it is and remove any cushions you had on top of it. You're going to lean forward onto your large bolster, with your hips supported at its base. If you find that your torso is longer than your bolster, you can bring in cushions to support your face. Make sure they're the same height as your bolster to keep your spine neutral. In this position, rest your palms on the floor with your arms bent and forward. Relax your legs and your feet. If this isn't comfortable, feel free to separate your knees and bend them slightly so you can rest your legs. Let your body melt into the asana. Let go completely and observe your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.\\n\\nGently press your palms down and tuck your toes. Lift your chest up and come up onto your heels to release the pose.\\n\\nNow, we're going to move into a heart opener. Place your bolster perpendicular to your mat. Roll onto the bolster, letting the bolster support your back just below your shoulder blades. Let your head rest back onto a cushion. Your arms will relax over your head, shoulders dropping down and elbows in line with your shoulders. Your palms will face up. Adjust your body as needed for comfort. This position gently opens your chest, bringing you into a small backbend position. Continue breathing in and out, and relax into the pose. Stay in the pose for 5–10 minutes.\\n\\nBring your awareness back to your body. Bend your knees and relax your shoulders and elbows. Roll to one side and gently come up to sitting.\\n\\nBring your large bolster underneath your knees, preparing for savasana. Lie back and let your knees rest on the bolster, falling out to the side. Completely relax your legs. Place a cushion under your head if you need the support. You can also cover yourself with your blanket for added comfort. Relax your body completely with your arms out to your sides, palms up. Relax here for as long as you'd like (we recommend at least 5 minutes).\\n\\nBring awareness back to your body. Feel where your body meets your mat, bringing awareness to each area of your body, starting with your head and moving all the way down to your feet. Gently wiggle your fingers and toes and slowly turn your head on your pillow from side to side. Interlock your fingers and stretch your arms over your head for a nice, deep stretch. Roll to your side and when you're ready, come up to a cross-legged position.\\n\\nBring your palms to your heart center, close your eyes, and take a moment to connect with your breath and your body. Observe your breath. Take a deep breath in and exhale completely. Close your restorative yoga practice with a chant of \\nOm\\n, 3 times. Rub your palms together and place your cupped palms over your eyes. Move your palms back to heart center, \\nnamaste\\n.\\n\\nIf you're interested in more restorative yoga with me, sign up for a \\nfree trial of myYogaTeacher\\n and get access to not only this class but 35+ live classes every single day.","html":"<p>If you've never experienced restorative yoga, you're in for a treat! This type of yoga is suitable for everyone—from beginners to advanced yoga practitioners. Restorative yoga is a restful yoga practice in which poses are held for longer periods of time for deep, passive stretches. Restorative yoga typically involves the use of props like bolsters, yoga blocks, cushions, and blankets.</p><p></p><p>In this 60-minute restorative yoga practice, I'll help you relax, relieve tension, and build communion between your body and mind. If you enjoy this practice, please find more classes with me on <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group-classes\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group-classes\">myYogaTeacher</a>.</p><p></p><h3>Benefits of Restorative Yoga</h3><p>Restorative yoga offers several wonderful benefits:</p><ul><li><div>It's gentle on the body and can help <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485\">strengthen the connective tissues</a> around your bones and joints when practiced consistently.</div></li><li><div>The deep breathing that accompanies restorative yoga <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.07.012\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.07.012\">calms the nervous system</a>, promoting relaxation.</div></li><li><div>Increased relaxation from restorative yoga can <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02566-4\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02566-4\">improve sleep and sleep quality</a>.</div></li><li><div>All types of yoga are associated with <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485\">improved mental and physical well-being</a> and can even help people who experience <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_242_16\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_242_16\">depression, anxiety, stress, and other mood disorders</a>.</div></li><li><div>Restorative yoga (along with other styles of yoga) is an excellent way to <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-196\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-196\">reduce and manage musculoskeletal pain</a>.</div></li></ul><h2>Restorative Yoga Practice for Deep Relaxation</h2><p>Let's start our restorative yoga practice with a gentle warm-up. Come to your hands and knees with your knees hip-distance apart and your toes tucked. Press your palms into the mat directly below your shoulders with your fingers spread wide. From here, we're going to flow through cat and cow 5 times.</p><video controls width=\"undefined\" height=\"undefined\">\n <source src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/kfqY2goSLSx6qlMr34HW\" type=\"video/mp4\" title=\"cat-cow flow.mp4\" />\n Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos.\n </video><p>Come to a comfortable seated position with your legs crossed. Interlock your fingers and gently bring your arms to the ceiling, lengthening your spine. Inhale. On the exhale, keep your spine lengthened and stretch to the right. Inhale back to center and exhale to the left. Repeat this stretch on both sides. Gently release your arms down.</p><p></p><p>Place your right palm on your left knee and roll your left shoulder back and down, placing your left hand on the mat behind you. Twist gently, looking over your left shoulder. Release to the center and repeat the twist to the right side.</p><p></p><p>Move your arms into eagle pose with your right arm over the left. Flow through cat and cow poses 3 times, keeping your elbows bent at 90º and your arms away from your body. Repeat this with your arms in eagle pose, this time placing your left arm over the right.</p><video controls width=\"undefined\" height=\"undefined\">\n <source src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/zRREOPecSRW3n8bGmQgU\" type=\"video/mp4\" title=\"cat-cow eagle arms.mp4\" />\n Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos.\n </video><p>That should be enough to wake up your spine and make you ready for restorative yoga.</p><p></p><p>In this practice, we'll use a couple of different sizes of bolsters, but if you don't have bolsters you can put together two of the pillows you use at bedtime for the large bolster and use one pillow each for the two smaller bolsters. You'll also need two small cushions, a chair, and a small blanket.</p><p></p><p>We'll start by placing the chair at one end of the mat and placing the blanket, folded, in front of it. Lay down on the folded blanket on your side and roll onto your back, lifting your legs onto the chair. Your calves will be on the chair and your hips slightly away from the chair.</p><p></p><p>Place your arms by the side of your body, shoulders relaxed, and let your calf muscles melt into your chair (or bed, wherever you're using to hold your legs). Let your legs relax, your knees and feet rolling outward, naturally. Close your eyes and relax here, moving only to breathe with long, deep inhales and long, complete exhales. Consciously relax the back of your neck, relax your legs, keep your eyes closed. Spend the time relaxing and observing your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/ql6t2OT9SWadGRxGxzRJ\" alt=\"restorative yoga opening pose.png\" title=\"restorative yoga opening pose.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" /><p>Bring your awareness back to your body, gently wiggling your fingers and toes. Roll onto your side and lay there for a moment before sitting up.</p><p></p><p>Bring your large bolster in line with the center of your matt and put the two cushions at the top of it. Sit with your hips at the base of the bolster. Bring the soles of your feet together and let your knees fall open. Use your two smaller bolsters to support your knees. Roll onto the larger bolster, keeping your hips grounded. Take a moment to roll your shoulders to the side and dropping your shoulders down. Adjust your hips to your comfort. Elongate your spine. Place your arms to the side of your body and relax in this position. Surrender your body completely to the asana and observe your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/Db6QnpNlRPqOcC6Urjth\" alt=\"restorative yoga pose 2.png\" title=\"restorative yoga pose 2.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" /><p>Bring your knees back together, keeping the soles of your feet on the ground. Roll to one side and gently come to sitting.</p><p></p><p>Keep the large bolster where it is and remove any cushions you had on top of it. You're going to lean forward onto your large bolster, with your hips supported at its base. If you find that your torso is longer than your bolster, you can bring in cushions to support your face. Make sure they're the same height as your bolster to keep your spine neutral. In this position, rest your palms on the floor with your arms bent and forward. Relax your legs and your feet. If this isn't comfortable, feel free to separate your knees and bend them slightly so you can rest your legs. Let your body melt into the asana. Let go completely and observe your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/nSK7FaZMTZmGXBIsTC0a\" alt=\"restorative yoga pose 3.png\" title=\"restorative yoga pose 3.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" /><p>Gently press your palms down and tuck your toes. Lift your chest up and come up onto your heels to release the pose.</p><p></p><p>Now, we're going to move into a heart opener. Place your bolster perpendicular to your mat. Roll onto the bolster, letting the bolster support your back just below your shoulder blades. Let your head rest back onto a cushion. Your arms will relax over your head, shoulders dropping down and elbows in line with your shoulders. Your palms will face up. Adjust your body as needed for comfort. This position gently opens your chest, bringing you into a small backbend position. Continue breathing in and out, and relax into the pose. Stay in the pose for 5–10 minutes.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/l3vX99RsZujBT0jAxeQO\" alt=\"restorative yoga heart opener.png\" title=\"restorative yoga heart opener.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" /><p>Bring your awareness back to your body. Bend your knees and relax your shoulders and elbows. Roll to one side and gently come up to sitting.</p><p></p><p>Bring your large bolster underneath your knees, preparing for savasana. Lie back and let your knees rest on the bolster, falling out to the side. Completely relax your legs. Place a cushion under your head if you need the support. You can also cover yourself with your blanket for added comfort. Relax your body completely with your arms out to your sides, palms up. Relax here for as long as you'd like (we recommend at least 5 minutes).</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/PEVOLRtfRuiqGl6CnKUx\" alt=\"restorative yoga supported savasana.png\" title=\"restorative yoga supported savasana.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" /><p>Bring awareness back to your body. Feel where your body meets your mat, bringing awareness to each area of your body, starting with your head and moving all the way down to your feet. Gently wiggle your fingers and toes and slowly turn your head on your pillow from side to side. Interlock your fingers and stretch your arms over your head for a nice, deep stretch. Roll to your side and when you're ready, come up to a cross-legged position.</p><p></p><p>Bring your palms to your heart center, close your eyes, and take a moment to connect with your breath and your body. Observe your breath. Take a deep breath in and exhale completely. Close your restorative yoga practice with a chant of <em>Om</em>, 3 times. Rub your palms together and place your cupped palms over your eyes. Move your palms back to heart center, <em>namaste</em>.</p><p></p><p>If you're interested in more restorative yoga with me, sign up for a <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html\">free trial of myYogaTeacher</a> and get access to not only this class but 35+ live classes every single day.</p>"},"category":["therapy","restorative"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"loading":false,"blog_content":[{"type":"HTML","value":"<p>If you've never experienced restorative yoga, you're in for a treat! This type of yoga is suitable for everyone—from beginners to advanced yoga practitioners. Restorative yoga is a restful yoga practice in which poses are held for longer periods of time for deep, passive stretches. Restorative yoga typically involves the use of props like bolsters, yoga blocks, cushions, and blankets.</p><p></p><p>In this 60-minute restorative yoga practice, I'll help you relax, relieve tension, and build communion between your body and mind. If you enjoy this practice, please find more classes with me on <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group-classes\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group-classes\">myYogaTeacher</a>.</p><p></p><h3>Benefits of Restorative Yoga</h3><p>Restorative yoga offers several wonderful benefits:</p><ul><li><div>It's gentle on the body and can help <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485\">strengthen the connective tissues</a> around your bones and joints when practiced consistently.</div></li><li><div>The deep breathing that accompanies restorative yoga <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.07.012\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.07.012\">calms the nervous system</a>, promoting relaxation.</div></li><li><div>Increased relaxation from restorative yoga can <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02566-4\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02566-4\">improve sleep and sleep quality</a>.</div></li><li><div>All types of yoga are associated with <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485\">improved mental and physical well-being</a> and can even help people who experience <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_242_16\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_242_16\">depression, anxiety, stress, and other mood disorders</a>.</div></li><li><div>Restorative yoga (along with other styles of yoga) is an excellent way to <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-196\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-196\">reduce and manage musculoskeletal pain</a>.</div></li></ul><h2>Restorative Yoga Practice for Deep Relaxation</h2><p>Let's start our restorative yoga practice with a gentle warm-up. Come to your hands and knees with your knees hip-distance apart and your toes tucked. Press your palms into the mat directly below your shoulders with your fingers spread wide. From here, we're going to flow through cat and cow 5 times.</p><video controls >\n <source src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/kfqY2goSLSx6qlMr34HW\" type=\"video/mp4\" title=\"cat-cow flow.mp4\" />\n Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos.\n </video><p>Come to a comfortable seated position with your legs crossed. Interlock your fingers and gently bring your arms to the ceiling, lengthening your spine. Inhale. On the exhale, keep your spine lengthened and stretch to the right. Inhale back to center and exhale to the left. Repeat this stretch on both sides. Gently release your arms down.</p><p></p><p>Place your right palm on your left knee and roll your left shoulder back and down, placing your left hand on the mat behind you. Twist gently, looking over your left shoulder. Release to the center and repeat the twist to the right side.</p><p></p><p>Move your arms into eagle pose with your right arm over the left. Flow through cat and cow poses 3 times, keeping your elbows bent at 90º and your arms away from your body. Repeat this with your arms in eagle pose, this time placing your left arm over the right.</p><video controls >\n <source src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/zRREOPecSRW3n8bGmQgU\" type=\"video/mp4\" title=\"cat-cow eagle arms.mp4\" />\n Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos.\n </video><p>That should be enough to wake up your spine and make you ready for restorative yoga.</p><p></p><p>In this practice, we'll use a couple of different sizes of bolsters, but if you don't have bolsters you can put together two of the pillows you use at bedtime for the large bolster and use one pillow each for the two smaller bolsters. You'll also need two small cushions, a chair, and a small blanket.</p><p></p><p>We'll start by placing the chair at one end of the mat and placing the blanket, folded, in front of it. Lay down on the folded blanket on your side and roll onto your back, lifting your legs onto the chair. Your calves will be on the chair and your hips slightly away from the chair.</p><p></p><p>Place your arms by the side of your body, shoulders relaxed, and let your calf muscles melt into your chair (or bed, wherever you're using to hold your legs). Let your legs relax, your knees and feet rolling outward, naturally. Close your eyes and relax here, moving only to breathe with long, deep inhales and long, complete exhales. Consciously relax the back of your neck, relax your legs, keep your eyes closed. Spend the time relaxing and observing your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.</p>\n <picture>\n <source \n type=\"image/webp\"\n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/ql6t2OT9SWadGRxGxzRJ\" \n alt=\"restorative yoga opening pose.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga opening pose.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n <source \n type=\"image/jpg\"\n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/ql6t2OT9SWadGRxGxzRJ\"\n alt=\"restorative yoga opening pose.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga opening pose.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n <img \n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/ql6t2OT9SWadGRxGxzRJ\"\n alt=\"restorative yoga opening pose.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga opening pose.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n </picture>\n <p>Bring your awareness back to your body, gently wiggling your fingers and toes. Roll onto your side and lay there for a moment before sitting up.</p><p></p><p>Bring your large bolster in line with the center of your matt and put the two cushions at the top of it. Sit with your hips at the base of the bolster. Bring the soles of your feet together and let your knees fall open. Use your two smaller bolsters to support your knees. Roll onto the larger bolster, keeping your hips grounded. Take a moment to roll your shoulders to the side and dropping your shoulders down. Adjust your hips to your comfort. Elongate your spine. Place your arms to the side of your body and relax in this position. Surrender your body completely to the asana and observe your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.</p>\n <picture>\n <source \n type=\"image/webp\"\n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/Db6QnpNlRPqOcC6Urjth\" \n alt=\"restorative yoga pose 2.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga pose 2.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n <source \n type=\"image/jpg\"\n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/Db6QnpNlRPqOcC6Urjth\"\n alt=\"restorative yoga pose 2.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga pose 2.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n <img \n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/Db6QnpNlRPqOcC6Urjth\"\n alt=\"restorative yoga pose 2.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga pose 2.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n </picture>\n <p>Bring your knees back together, keeping the soles of your feet on the ground. Roll to one side and gently come to sitting.</p><p></p><p>Keep the large bolster where it is and remove any cushions you had on top of it. You're going to lean forward onto your large bolster, with your hips supported at its base. If you find that your torso is longer than your bolster, you can bring in cushions to support your face. Make sure they're the same height as your bolster to keep your spine neutral. In this position, rest your palms on the floor with your arms bent and forward. Relax your legs and your feet. If this isn't comfortable, feel free to separate your knees and bend them slightly so you can rest your legs. Let your body melt into the asana. Let go completely and observe your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.</p>\n <picture>\n <source \n type=\"image/webp\"\n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/nSK7FaZMTZmGXBIsTC0a\" \n alt=\"restorative yoga pose 3.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga pose 3.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n <source \n type=\"image/jpg\"\n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/nSK7FaZMTZmGXBIsTC0a\"\n alt=\"restorative yoga pose 3.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga pose 3.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n <img \n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/nSK7FaZMTZmGXBIsTC0a\"\n alt=\"restorative yoga pose 3.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga pose 3.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n </picture>\n <p>Gently press your palms down and tuck your toes. Lift your chest up and come up onto your heels to release the pose.</p><p></p><p>Now, we're going to move into a heart opener. Place your bolster perpendicular to your mat. Roll onto the bolster, letting the bolster support your back just below your shoulder blades. Let your head rest back onto a cushion. Your arms will relax over your head, shoulders dropping down and elbows in line with your shoulders. Your palms will face up. Adjust your body as needed for comfort. This position gently opens your chest, bringing you into a small backbend position. Continue breathing in and out, and relax into the pose. Stay in the pose for 5–10 minutes.</p>\n <picture>\n <source \n type=\"image/webp\"\n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/l3vX99RsZujBT0jAxeQO\" \n alt=\"restorative yoga heart opener.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga heart opener.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n <source \n type=\"image/jpg\"\n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/l3vX99RsZujBT0jAxeQO\"\n alt=\"restorative yoga heart opener.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga heart opener.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n <img \n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/l3vX99RsZujBT0jAxeQO\"\n alt=\"restorative yoga heart opener.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga heart opener.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n </picture>\n <p>Bring your awareness back to your body. Bend your knees and relax your shoulders and elbows. Roll to one side and gently come up to sitting.</p><p></p><p>Bring your large bolster underneath your knees, preparing for savasana. Lie back and let your knees rest on the bolster, falling out to the side. Completely relax your legs. Place a cushion under your head if you need the support. You can also cover yourself with your blanket for added comfort. Relax your body completely with your arms out to your sides, palms up. Relax here for as long as you'd like (we recommend at least 5 minutes).</p>\n <picture>\n <source \n type=\"image/webp\"\n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/PEVOLRtfRuiqGl6CnKUx\" \n alt=\"restorative yoga supported savasana.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga supported savasana.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n <source \n type=\"image/jpg\"\n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/PEVOLRtfRuiqGl6CnKUx\"\n alt=\"restorative yoga supported savasana.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga supported savasana.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n <img \n data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/PEVOLRtfRuiqGl6CnKUx\"\n alt=\"restorative yoga supported savasana.png\"\n title=\"restorative yoga supported savasana.png\"\n \n \n class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n />\n </picture>\n <p>Bring awareness back to your body. Feel where your body meets your mat, bringing awareness to each area of your body, starting with your head and moving all the way down to your feet. Gently wiggle your fingers and toes and slowly turn your head on your pillow from side to side. Interlock your fingers and stretch your arms over your head for a nice, deep stretch. Roll to your side and when you're ready, come up to a cross-legged position.</p><p></p><p>Bring your palms to your heart center, close your eyes, and take a moment to connect with your breath and your body. Observe your breath. Take a deep breath in and exhale completely. Close your restorative yoga practice with a chant of <em>Om</em>, 3 times. Rub your palms together and place your cupped palms over your eyes. Move your palms back to heart center, <em>namaste</em>.</p><p></p><p>If you're interested in more restorative yoga with me, sign up for a <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html\">free trial of myYogaTeacher</a> and get access to not only this class but 35+ live classes every single day.</p>"},{"type":"CTA","value":"[CTA-DEFAULT]"}],"isSlugACategory":false,"searchCategory":"restorative-yoga-deep-relaxation","showPopUp":false,"popUpType":null,"showedPopup":false,"windowWidth":null,"ctaPath":"signup","redirectURL":"#","ctaContent":[{"id":"ckxrz2i14tov40c25g1dpicsg","name":"[CTA-DEFAULT]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. 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You don't want to miss this restorative yoga practice from myYogaTeacher!","content":{"text":"If you've never experienced restorative yoga, you're in for a treat! This type of yoga is suitable for everyone—from beginners to advanced yoga practitioners. Restorative yoga is a restful yoga practice in which poses are held for longer periods of time for deep, passive stretches. Restorative yoga typically involves the use of props like bolsters, yoga blocks, cushions, and blankets.\\n\\nIn this 60-minute restorative yoga practice, I'll help you relax, relieve tension, and build communion between your body and mind. If you enjoy this practice, please find more classes with me on \\nmyYogaTeacher\\n.\\n\\nBenefits of Restorative Yoga\\nRestorative yoga offers several wonderful benefits:\\nIt's gentle on the body and can help \\nstrengthen the connective tissues\\n around your bones and joints when practiced consistently.\\nThe deep breathing that accompanies restorative yoga \\ncalms the nervous system\\n, promoting relaxation.\\nIncreased relaxation from restorative yoga can \\nimprove sleep and sleep quality\\n.\\nAll types of yoga are associated with \\nimproved mental and physical well-being\\n and can even help people who experience \\ndepression, anxiety, stress, and other mood disorders\\n.\\nRestorative yoga (along with other styles of yoga) is an excellent way to \\nreduce and manage musculoskeletal pain\\n.\\nRestorative Yoga Practice for Deep Relaxation\\nLet's start our restorative yoga practice with a gentle warm-up. Come to your hands and knees with your knees hip-distance apart and your toes tucked. Press your palms into the mat directly below your shoulders with your fingers spread wide. From here, we're going to flow through cat and cow 5 times.\\n\\nCome to a comfortable seated position with your legs crossed. Interlock your fingers and gently bring your arms to the ceiling, lengthening your spine. Inhale. On the exhale, keep your spine lengthened and stretch to the right. Inhale back to center and exhale to the left. Repeat this stretch on both sides. Gently release your arms down.\\n\\nPlace your right palm on your left knee and roll your left shoulder back and down, placing your left hand on the mat behind you. Twist gently, looking over your left shoulder. Release to the center and repeat the twist to the right side.\\n\\nMove your arms into eagle pose with your right arm over the left. Flow through cat and cow poses 3 times, keeping your elbows bent at 90º and your arms away from your body. Repeat this with your arms in eagle pose, this time placing your left arm over the right.\\n\\nThat should be enough to wake up your spine and make you ready for restorative yoga.\\n\\nIn this practice, we'll use a couple of different sizes of bolsters, but if you don't have bolsters you can put together two of the pillows you use at bedtime for the large bolster and use one pillow each for the two smaller bolsters. You'll also need two small cushions, a chair, and a small blanket.\\n\\nWe'll start by placing the chair at one end of the mat and placing the blanket, folded, in front of it. Lay down on the folded blanket on your side and roll onto your back, lifting your legs onto the chair. Your calves will be on the chair and your hips slightly away from the chair.\\n\\nPlace your arms by the side of your body, shoulders relaxed, and let your calf muscles melt into your chair (or bed, wherever you're using to hold your legs). Let your legs relax, your knees and feet rolling outward, naturally. Close your eyes and relax here, moving only to breathe with long, deep inhales and long, complete exhales. Consciously relax the back of your neck, relax your legs, keep your eyes closed. Spend the time relaxing and observing your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.\\n\\nBring your awareness back to your body, gently wiggling your fingers and toes. Roll onto your side and lay there for a moment before sitting up.\\n\\nBring your large bolster in line with the center of your matt and put the two cushions at the top of it. Sit with your hips at the base of the bolster. Bring the soles of your feet together and let your knees fall open. Use your two smaller bolsters to support your knees. Roll onto the larger bolster, keeping your hips grounded. Take a moment to roll your shoulders to the side and dropping your shoulders down. Adjust your hips to your comfort. Elongate your spine. Place your arms to the side of your body and relax in this position. Surrender your body completely to the asana and observe your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.\\n\\nBring your knees back together, keeping the soles of your feet on the ground. Roll to one side and gently come to sitting.\\n\\nKeep the large bolster where it is and remove any cushions you had on top of it. You're going to lean forward onto your large bolster, with your hips supported at its base. If you find that your torso is longer than your bolster, you can bring in cushions to support your face. Make sure they're the same height as your bolster to keep your spine neutral. In this position, rest your palms on the floor with your arms bent and forward. Relax your legs and your feet. If this isn't comfortable, feel free to separate your knees and bend them slightly so you can rest your legs. Let your body melt into the asana. Let go completely and observe your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.\\n\\nGently press your palms down and tuck your toes. Lift your chest up and come up onto your heels to release the pose.\\n\\nNow, we're going to move into a heart opener. Place your bolster perpendicular to your mat. Roll onto the bolster, letting the bolster support your back just below your shoulder blades. Let your head rest back onto a cushion. Your arms will relax over your head, shoulders dropping down and elbows in line with your shoulders. Your palms will face up. Adjust your body as needed for comfort. This position gently opens your chest, bringing you into a small backbend position. Continue breathing in and out, and relax into the pose. Stay in the pose for 5–10 minutes.\\n\\nBring your awareness back to your body. Bend your knees and relax your shoulders and elbows. Roll to one side and gently come up to sitting.\\n\\nBring your large bolster underneath your knees, preparing for savasana. Lie back and let your knees rest on the bolster, falling out to the side. Completely relax your legs. Place a cushion under your head if you need the support. You can also cover yourself with your blanket for added comfort. Relax your body completely with your arms out to your sides, palms up. Relax here for as long as you'd like (we recommend at least 5 minutes).\\n\\nBring awareness back to your body. Feel where your body meets your mat, bringing awareness to each area of your body, starting with your head and moving all the way down to your feet. Gently wiggle your fingers and toes and slowly turn your head on your pillow from side to side. Interlock your fingers and stretch your arms over your head for a nice, deep stretch. Roll to your side and when you're ready, come up to a cross-legged position.\\n\\nBring your palms to your heart center, close your eyes, and take a moment to connect with your breath and your body. Observe your breath. Take a deep breath in and exhale completely. Close your restorative yoga practice with a chant of \\nOm\\n, 3 times. Rub your palms together and place your cupped palms over your eyes. Move your palms back to heart center, \\nnamaste\\n.\\n\\nIf you're interested in more restorative yoga with me, sign up for a \\nfree trial of myYogaTeacher\\n and get access to not only this class but 35+ live classes every single day.","html":"<p>If you've never experienced restorative yoga, you're in for a treat! This type of yoga is suitable for everyone—from beginners to advanced yoga practitioners. Restorative yoga is a restful yoga practice in which poses are held for longer periods of time for deep, passive stretches. Restorative yoga typically involves the use of props like bolsters, yoga blocks, cushions, and blankets.</p><p></p><p>In this 60-minute restorative yoga practice, I'll help you relax, relieve tension, and build communion between your body and mind. If you enjoy this practice, please find more classes with me on <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group-classes\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group-classes\">myYogaTeacher</a>.</p><p></p><h3>Benefits of Restorative Yoga</h3><p>Restorative yoga offers several wonderful benefits:</p><ul><li><div>It's gentle on the body and can help <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485\">strengthen the connective tissues</a> around your bones and joints when practiced consistently.</div></li><li><div>The deep breathing that accompanies restorative yoga <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.07.012\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.07.012\">calms the nervous system</a>, promoting relaxation.</div></li><li><div>Increased relaxation from restorative yoga can <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02566-4\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02566-4\">improve sleep and sleep quality</a>.</div></li><li><div>All types of yoga are associated with <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485\">improved mental and physical well-being</a> and can even help people who experience <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_242_16\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_242_16\">depression, anxiety, stress, and other mood disorders</a>.</div></li><li><div>Restorative yoga (along with other styles of yoga) is an excellent way to <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-196\" href=\"https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-196\">reduce and manage musculoskeletal pain</a>.</div></li></ul><h2>Restorative Yoga Practice for Deep Relaxation</h2><p>Let's start our restorative yoga practice with a gentle warm-up. Come to your hands and knees with your knees hip-distance apart and your toes tucked. Press your palms into the mat directly below your shoulders with your fingers spread wide. From here, we're going to flow through cat and cow 5 times.</p><video controls width=\"undefined\" height=\"undefined\">\n <source src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/kfqY2goSLSx6qlMr34HW\" type=\"video/mp4\" title=\"cat-cow flow.mp4\" />\n Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos.\n </video><p>Come to a comfortable seated position with your legs crossed. Interlock your fingers and gently bring your arms to the ceiling, lengthening your spine. Inhale. On the exhale, keep your spine lengthened and stretch to the right. Inhale back to center and exhale to the left. Repeat this stretch on both sides. Gently release your arms down.</p><p></p><p>Place your right palm on your left knee and roll your left shoulder back and down, placing your left hand on the mat behind you. Twist gently, looking over your left shoulder. Release to the center and repeat the twist to the right side.</p><p></p><p>Move your arms into eagle pose with your right arm over the left. Flow through cat and cow poses 3 times, keeping your elbows bent at 90º and your arms away from your body. Repeat this with your arms in eagle pose, this time placing your left arm over the right.</p><video controls width=\"undefined\" height=\"undefined\">\n <source src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/zRREOPecSRW3n8bGmQgU\" type=\"video/mp4\" title=\"cat-cow eagle arms.mp4\" />\n Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos.\n </video><p>That should be enough to wake up your spine and make you ready for restorative yoga.</p><p></p><p>In this practice, we'll use a couple of different sizes of bolsters, but if you don't have bolsters you can put together two of the pillows you use at bedtime for the large bolster and use one pillow each for the two smaller bolsters. You'll also need two small cushions, a chair, and a small blanket.</p><p></p><p>We'll start by placing the chair at one end of the mat and placing the blanket, folded, in front of it. Lay down on the folded blanket on your side and roll onto your back, lifting your legs onto the chair. Your calves will be on the chair and your hips slightly away from the chair.</p><p></p><p>Place your arms by the side of your body, shoulders relaxed, and let your calf muscles melt into your chair (or bed, wherever you're using to hold your legs). Let your legs relax, your knees and feet rolling outward, naturally. Close your eyes and relax here, moving only to breathe with long, deep inhales and long, complete exhales. Consciously relax the back of your neck, relax your legs, keep your eyes closed. Spend the time relaxing and observing your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/ql6t2OT9SWadGRxGxzRJ\" alt=\"restorative yoga opening pose.png\" title=\"restorative yoga opening pose.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" /><p>Bring your awareness back to your body, gently wiggling your fingers and toes. Roll onto your side and lay there for a moment before sitting up.</p><p></p><p>Bring your large bolster in line with the center of your matt and put the two cushions at the top of it. Sit with your hips at the base of the bolster. Bring the soles of your feet together and let your knees fall open. Use your two smaller bolsters to support your knees. Roll onto the larger bolster, keeping your hips grounded. Take a moment to roll your shoulders to the side and dropping your shoulders down. Adjust your hips to your comfort. Elongate your spine. Place your arms to the side of your body and relax in this position. Surrender your body completely to the asana and observe your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/Db6QnpNlRPqOcC6Urjth\" alt=\"restorative yoga pose 2.png\" title=\"restorative yoga pose 2.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" /><p>Bring your knees back together, keeping the soles of your feet on the ground. Roll to one side and gently come to sitting.</p><p></p><p>Keep the large bolster where it is and remove any cushions you had on top of it. You're going to lean forward onto your large bolster, with your hips supported at its base. If you find that your torso is longer than your bolster, you can bring in cushions to support your face. Make sure they're the same height as your bolster to keep your spine neutral. In this position, rest your palms on the floor with your arms bent and forward. Relax your legs and your feet. If this isn't comfortable, feel free to separate your knees and bend them slightly so you can rest your legs. Let your body melt into the asana. Let go completely and observe your breath. Stay in this pose for 5–10 minutes.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/nSK7FaZMTZmGXBIsTC0a\" alt=\"restorative yoga pose 3.png\" title=\"restorative yoga pose 3.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" /><p>Gently press your palms down and tuck your toes. Lift your chest up and come up onto your heels to release the pose.</p><p></p><p>Now, we're going to move into a heart opener. Place your bolster perpendicular to your mat. Roll onto the bolster, letting the bolster support your back just below your shoulder blades. Let your head rest back onto a cushion. Your arms will relax over your head, shoulders dropping down and elbows in line with your shoulders. Your palms will face up. Adjust your body as needed for comfort. This position gently opens your chest, bringing you into a small backbend position. Continue breathing in and out, and relax into the pose. Stay in the pose for 5–10 minutes.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/l3vX99RsZujBT0jAxeQO\" alt=\"restorative yoga heart opener.png\" title=\"restorative yoga heart opener.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" /><p>Bring your awareness back to your body. Bend your knees and relax your shoulders and elbows. Roll to one side and gently come up to sitting.</p><p></p><p>Bring your large bolster underneath your knees, preparing for savasana. Lie back and let your knees rest on the bolster, falling out to the side. Completely relax your legs. Place a cushion under your head if you need the support. You can also cover yourself with your blanket for added comfort. Relax your body completely with your arms out to your sides, palms up. Relax here for as long as you'd like (we recommend at least 5 minutes).</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=,width:600,height:337/PEVOLRtfRuiqGl6CnKUx\" alt=\"restorative yoga supported savasana.png\" title=\"restorative yoga supported savasana.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" /><p>Bring awareness back to your body. Feel where your body meets your mat, bringing awareness to each area of your body, starting with your head and moving all the way down to your feet. Gently wiggle your fingers and toes and slowly turn your head on your pillow from side to side. Interlock your fingers and stretch your arms over your head for a nice, deep stretch. Roll to your side and when you're ready, come up to a cross-legged position.</p><p></p><p>Bring your palms to your heart center, close your eyes, and take a moment to connect with your breath and your body. Observe your breath. Take a deep breath in and exhale completely. Close your restorative yoga practice with a chant of <em>Om</em>, 3 times. Rub your palms together and place your cupped palms over your eyes. Move your palms back to heart center, <em>namaste</em>.</p><p></p><p>If you're interested in more restorative yoga with me, sign up for a <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html\">free trial of myYogaTeacher</a> and get access to not only this class but 35+ live classes every single day.</p>"},"category":["therapy","restorative"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"recommendations_group_class":null}© Copyright 2020 MyYogaTeacher Inc