Welcome back to another week of learning how to practice yoga! The past few weeks I have been trying out the different types of yoga. This week, I found an article that outlines the 11 Types of Yoga and decided to try out “Restorative Yoga“. This type of yoga reminded me a lot of the hatha yoga I was practicing a couple weeks ago.
After a quick google search, I found another article titled: What is Restorative Yoga? that taught me everything about restorative yoga. The article mentioned that restorative yoga is a completely different experience than most other styles of yoga because you hardly move at all! Restorative yoga is a relaxing practice that holds yoga poses for a longer period of time using props like yoga blocks, blankets, and pillows. It is a practice of deep relaxation that emphasizes the meditative aspect of yoga—the union of body and mind. The only work that is required during this practice is paying attention to your breathing.
The article provided 5 of the basic poses that are preformed during restorative yoga which include:
- Child’s pose (Balasana)
- Bridge pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
- Reclined twist (Supta Matsyendrasana)
- Legs-up-the-wall pose (Viparita Karni)
- Corpse pose (Savasana)
What I loved the most about this article is that it included a write up under each pose that taught you how to preform the pose including how you would preform it with a prop.
To start off this weeks practice, I practiced each of the poses following along with how to preform it with a blanket as a prop. I loved preforming these poses with my blankets because it made the practice so comfortable and made me feel so good!
After trying out each of the poses with the props, I decided to search for a youtube video to follow along with to feel out how an actual restorative yoga class would be.
I loved practicing this type of yoga! I felt so refreshed and relaxed after it. I would highly recommend anyone who is new to yoga try out restorative yoga to relax after a stressful day. I would also recommend this type of yoga to anyone who struggles falling asleep at night because it made me feel so calm, relaxed, and ready for a nap.
What type of yoga should I practice next week? Vote down below!
Acro yoga: Acro yoga takes familiar yoga poses and makes them double the fun (and sometimes double the work) by adding a partner. One partner serves as the “base” on the ground, while the other is the “flyer” who contorts themselves on the soles of the base’s feet.
(I will have to convince my boyfriend into this one lol)
Kundalini yoga: These yoga sequences are carefully designed to stimulate or unlock energy and to reduce stress and negative thinking. This is accomplished by challenging both mind and body with chanting, singing, meditation, and kriyas (specific series of poses paired with breath work and chanting). Typically, a kundalini class starts with a mantra (a focus for the class), then includes breathing exercises, warmups to get the body moving, increasingly more challenging poses, and a final relaxation and meditation
Sivananda yoga: Classes are generally relaxing: while most yoga classes end with savasana (a final relaxation/corpse pose), Sivananda starts with this pose, then moves into breathing exercises, sun salutations, and then 12 basic poses.
8 Comments
Ian Mansfield
Hello again Alexandra 🙂 . This was a very informative post. I have been following this 30 Day Yoga thing on the ‘Yoga with Adriene’ YouTube channel and a few of the days so far have consisted of some kind of restorative yoga. Having these days as a kind of active recovery have been great, especially since I have been practicing every day! Kundalini yoga sounds wild, so I voted for that on your poll. I have heard about it before but I have never thought to give it a try. Excited to see your next post! Have a good one 🙂
Alexandra Crammond
Hey Ian,
That’s so cool you are following along with Adriene’s 30 day program, I love her youtube channel! Good for you for practicing every day! I am quite intimidated by kundalini yoga and don’t know what to expect but its up to the voters! If you’re up to it we could do a planned yoga week together. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Payge Langmo
Hi Alex!
I like that you recommended this type of yoga for people who struggle with sleeping or had a stressful day. As someone who is a huge insomniac, i am definitely going to be trying this yoga out! I also love that you shared your “stats” from when you were practicing yoga… 69 bpm? Yes please!!! A very needed rejuvenation period! I also agree with Ian, Kundalini sounds crazy so i voted for that one too!
Thanks for sharing!
Alexandra Crammond
Hey Payge,
Oh no, I hope the yoga helps your insomnia! I find that I feel really relaxed after hatha yoga as well. Its a series of slow, deep stretches if you are interested. Kundalini does sound pretty wild but I’m always up for a challenge! Thanks for checking out my blog!
Maya Rosenberg
Hi Alex, this is so great! I was not familiar with restorative yoga, and it sure sounds calming. I love your curious approach and exploring all these styles. I voted Acro yoga- it sounds so much fun! I’m curious to hear what you’ll think of it, or other styles you’ll explore!
Maya
Alexandra Crammond
Hey Maya,
Thanks, I really didn’t know anything about yoga going into this learning project so its safe to say I have learned a lot so far! Acro yoga does sound fun.. and challenging! I can’t wait to see what everyone votes for!
Thanks for checking out my blog!
Logan Fettes
Child’s pose has got to be the best position ever created from my experience. I love that you are trying various types of yoga and I look forward to seeing more variations. I think Yoga is a great activity for everyone to do. It is so healthy both from a physical standpoint as well as from a mental standpoint.
Alexandra Crammond
Hey Logan,
I love child’s pose but I think happy baby feels the best for me as I have tight hips. I love that I chose yoga for my learning project, it has made a noticeable difference in my mental health and it is something I plan to incorporate into my daily routine. Thanks for checking out my blog!