| It is usually a helpful idea to watch a yoga instructor | | | | of time you want to use for your posture but because |
| guide you through a yoga session on a yoga video or | | | | the time it takes to get into posture can vary as you |
| DVD. This can take the place of a class if you just | | | | get comfortable it is best that you have control of that |
| can't manage to get to one for some reason. | | | | rather than having a video dictate the pace. |
| However doing your Restorative Yoga session by | | | | In a typical restorative yoga session you will perhaps |
| watching a video is not so easy. The point about | | | | only use about 4 or 5 postures and one of these will |
| Restorative Yoga is that it is a very restful, deeply | | | | be the all-important relaxation posture at the end. |
| healing practice and for this you need a couple of | | | | Restorative Yoga is very different to most yoga |
| things: | | | | practices and once you have experienced it as a form |
| 1. Time | | | | of self help at any time you feel low or are injured in |
| 2. Peace | | | | some way you will never look back. It is also a very |
| Because you have to get into a posture in a very | | | | powerful stepping stone to doing other forms of yoga |
| supported way and then allow your body just to unfold | | | | once you have regained your health sufficiently. Doing |
| and flow into shape with no strain at all you can hold | | | | other forms of yoga when you just do not have the |
| the postures for up to 20 minutes - or even more | | | | energy or focus for them is not helpful at all. Like any |
| once you get the hang of it. While you are in position | | | | exercise it will use up precious energy and it is only |
| you will be breathing gently and correctly and entering | | | | Restorative Yoga that helps you very gently stretch |
| a meditative state so that your body can activate its | | | | and flex whilst conserving and building your energy. |
| own healing strength. If you try to do this with a video | | | | Find out about Restorative Yoga by attending |
| or DVD you will find that it is too distracting as you | | | | workshops such as the 'Rising of the Phoenix' and |
| need to do this practice entirely in tune with your own | | | | then use it yourself at home as part of your self help |
| body and needs. What can be useful is to have a | | | | regime. You will find it quite amazing in its effects. |
| small, pleasant timer which you can set for the length | | | | |