Why Sleep Isn't Enough: Restorative Yoga to the Rescue

Guest post by Melissa Felsenstein

Many of us have noticed an increased level of ambient stress in our lives whether it be personal or environmental.  As the holidays approach this stress is coupled by a busy schedule and family obligations.  While we may sleep, we rarely take time to fully rest.  Our minds are buzzing with to-do lists and we awake not feeling restored, we wake up feeling tired.
Restorative yoga is the perfect antidote to our frantic pace and busy lifestyle and through quiet, fully supported, long floor poses re-trains the nervous system how to relax again. By its very nature, the restorative yoga practice is the antithesis of the “no-pain-no-gain” mentality. We receive the greatest benefits from our practice not through forcing ourself into a pose, but by releasing and surrendering to it. This mentality helps to cultivate acceptance of your body and its inherent limitations. Further, it strengthens your ability to let go of preconceived notions of your body and how you think it should look or feel, both in and out of a pose. 

I personally used restorative yoga to reduce severe anxiety during a hard period of my life when a family member fell mentally ill and as a result my body began to suffer the results of accumulated chronic stress: TMJ, migraines, neck tension, digestive issues, insomnia, etc.  Restorative yoga is designed to nurture the parasympathetic or "rest and digest" nervous system though long holds, darkness, quiet music, and a self-connection and became my saving grace as my health depleted.  Through restorative yoga and sound therapy, my nervous system rebalanced, the ambient stress was reduced, my health restored, and my ability to self-connect and self-nurture deepened which inspired trust and a new ability to surrender to a situation beyond my control. 

Restorative Yoga benefits:

• Deeply relaxes the body
• Stills the mind
• Improves capacity for physical healing of injuries
• Balances the nervous system by nourishing the parasympathetic "rest and digest"
• Boosts the immune system
• Develops qualities of compassion and understanding toward others and self
• Enhances mood states
• Slows down and recalibrates the pace of life
• Offers a safe space for private introspection and inquiry

OUR WEEKLY RESTORATIVE CLASSES:

Restorative Yoga & Sound Meditation with Melissa
Wednesdays 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Restorative Yoga for Stress Relief with Nicole Matthiesen
Sundays 7:00-8:15 p.m. (no class on 12/31/2017)