Restorative Yoga's intention is evident by its name: Rest and Restore.
Resting is essential for our minds and bodies. When we cannot rest properly, we cannot restore our bodies and minds to serve us in our daily life.
A product of stress and anxiety in our modern life, Restorative Yoga is a relatively new style of yoga that is aimed at promoting well-being, healing, balance and alignment. It is therefore an excellent practice for stress relief and a wonderful addition to physical- and mental-health practices.

In Restorative Yoga we use supported body shapes to help the nervous system move into an assessment of safety. When this happens, stress hormones are reduced and relaxation and rest are promoted. The shapes we go into are similar to more familiar yoga poses, like forward bends, heart openers and twists. The difference is that we use props (blankets, bolsters, etc.) to support a specific shape in a specific body so it can rest in that shape for a few minutes - typically 5 to 20 minutes. This time allows the body and mind to absorb the goodness of the shape and for the relaxation 'magic' to happen.

Like any other practice, Restorative Yoga has its challenges. Stillness of the body can be a challenge for the mind. With practice, however, you become better at recognizing the movements of the mind and letting them be. You may even discover that you enjoy the stillness and that it helps you cultivate a connection with yourself and with others. After all, it is only when you are taken care of, that you can take care of others.