Stress-busting Restorative Yoga

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CAUTION:  
Reading the information on this webpage may result in lower stress levels and an improved quality of life.

Who Can Benefit?      Every human being who experiences any type of stress, i.e., physical or emotional; chronic or acute.  Any one with stress-related conditions, such as autoimmune, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety and more.   >>More

Possible Benefits Include improved posture, relief from back pain, a deep sense of peace and contentment, lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, weight loss, improved sleep, more joy, reduced dependence on prescription drugs >>more

What The Experts Say The literature on stress and stress-related conditions is massive.  Specific writings-- both scientific and anecdotal-- expertly discuss how stress can make you sick and how restorative yoga can help you to get well. >> More

Testimonials My neck has been injured in several car accidents and tends to be a trouble spot.. . . I can feel big improvements.  This class has been a blessing for me.   >>More

“Supported asanas are restful and tone the body with minimum effort.  They should not be disregarded as they have a powerful physiological effect.  They nourish the nervous system and increase the efficiency of the glandular system, which is essential for physical and mental health.  The inner organs stay for some time in positions where they are extended or massaged.  Hidden parts of the body and cells are activated. No one can afford to neglect these tremendously beneficial postures.” * Silva, Mira & Shyam Mehta What is Restorative Yoga? Restorative Yoga has been described as “active relaxation” and is a method par excellence for attaining deep relaxation, tranquility and the many benefits of “de-stressing.”  Using blankets, bolsters, pillows, blocks, straps and other “props” to support the body, practitioners generally experience profound shifts in their nervous system, thus allowing a physiological shift to deep restfulness, calm abiding and well-being.  Gravity does “the work” as the body progressively relaxes and softens.  As this occurs, so do the signs and symptoms of stress, such as depressed or elevated moods, hypertension, muscle tension, digestive problems, high cholesterol levels, eyestrain, headaches and more.   Who can benefit? Everyone!  Whether you are a competitive athlete, marathon runner, or someone recovering from addiction, a debilitating illness, or emotional upset,  these modalities can benefit you immensely.  They will “meet you where you are.” Restorative yoga and Thai Yoga Therapy are also very helpful for people who are working with the following situations: §         Fibromyalgia §         Irritable bowel syndrome §         Nervousness, anxiety, panic §         Depression §         Mourning §         Sciatica, muscle tension §         Over-achieving & perfectionism §         Sleeplessness or insomnia §         Autoimmune illnesses

§         Improved posture

§         Relief from back pain

§         Relief from physical exhaustion and fatigue

§         Relief from chronic stress-related conditions (such as insomnia, fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, etc.)

§         Better resistance to injury

§         Improved range of motion

§         Release of lactic acid and other toxins from areas of accumulation

§         Improved circulation, metabolism and immunity

§         Lower cholesterol levels

§         Greater sense of “calm focus”

§         A lessening of dependence on medication

Testimonials

" You are a kind soul with incredible insight and talent into healing arts."

"I feel less achy and easier in my movements.  I also slept very deeply.  I can hardly believe it!   I am so thrilled to have so much of the pain gone. A thousand thanks."

Read more testimonials by following the links below:

http://www.yogaforliving.com/feedback.htm for all group yoga classes.
http://www.yogaforliving.com/thaiyoga.htm for Thai Yoga Therapy

What The Experts Say

 

Judith Lasater, Ph.D., P.T.

These excerpts from Judith Lasater’s seminal book Relax and Renew: Relaxing Yoga for Stressful Times (published by Rodmell Press) describe the necessity of deep relaxation, and  restorative yoga’s role in overall health and well being.  (see http://www.judithlasater.com and www.restorativeyogateachers.com)

 

Stress Can Make you Sick

Stress begins with a physiological response to what your body-mind perceives as life-threatening.…For modern-day humans, this may be living with the fear of losing a job in a sagging economy, or the health crisis of a family member.

 

Whatever the stressor, the mind alerts the body that danger is present. In response, the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, secrete catecholamine hormones. These adrenaline and noradrenalin hormones act upon the autonomic nervous system, as the body prepares for fight or flight. Heart rate, blood pressure, mental alertness, and muscle tension are increased. The adrenal hormones cause metabolic changes that make energy stores available to each cell and the body begins to sweat. The body also shuts down systems that are not a priority in the immediacy of the moment, including digestion, elimination, growth, repair, and reproduction.

 

To his detriment, modern man is often unable to resolve his stress so directly, and lives chronically stressed as a result. Still responding to the fight or flight response, the adrenals continue to pump stress hormones. The body does not benefit from nutrition because the digestion and elimination systems are slowed down. Even sleep is disturbed by this agitated state.

 

In a chronically stressed state, quality of life, and perhaps life itself, is at risk. The body's capacity to heal itself is compromised, either inhibiting recovery from an existing illness or injury, or creating a new one, including high blood pressure, ulcers, back pain, immune dysfunction, reproductive problems, and depression. These conditions add stress of their own and the cycle continues.

 

Restorative Yoga for Health & Well Being

By supporting the body with props, we alternately stimulate and relax the body to move toward balance. Some poses have an overall benefit. Others target an individual part, such as the lungs or heart. All create specific physiological responses which are beneficial to health and can reduce the effects of stress-related disease.

 

In general, restorative poses are for those times when you feel weak, fatigued, or stressed from your daily activities. They are especially beneficial for the times before, during, and after major life events: death of a loved one, change of job or residence, marriage, divorce, major holidays, and vacations. In addition, you can practice the poses when ill, or recovering from illness or injury.

Restorative poses help relieve the effects of chronic stress in several ways. First, the use of props as described in this book provides a completely supportive environment for total relaxation

>>More Excerpts from Judith Lasater's book