INTRODUCTION OF RESTORATIVE YOGA
The word “restore” means “repair” or “renovate”.
So, what is restorative yoga?
Restorative yoga is a practice of restoring strength, health and better quality of life. It is pretty different from regular yoga. Normal yoga is more of practicing gymnastic or acrobatic styles. But restorative yoga is more of practicing relaxing poses with literally no muscle movement. This type of yoga is especially for people who are suffering from injuries or severe body pains and illnesses.
HOW IS IT PERFORMED?
Hearing the word “yoga”, you might be thinking that it would be a difficult way of stretching your body on a mat but it’s not really. Just some props which include bolsters, blankets and blocks for support, an attentive mind and a desired relaxing pose and voila! you’re ready for it. The use of props is for holding poses easily for a long period of time. All the poses of restorative yoga are mostly practiced lying down or sitting up. The poses generally begin with a breathing warm-ups and gradually transitioning to the desired pose for about 10 to 15 minutes. According to the people who practice this yoga, they mostly relate it to adult napping and the best time of their hectic day.
The practice of this yoga restores your body’s needs. The outcome doesn’t revolve around building muscles, stamina, or balance, it’s more inclined towards maintaining and enhancing stillness, attention, relaxation and practicing the art of falling in the depth of flow state which we also relate it to meditation.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
When we face any stress or anxiety, the body releases adrenaline hormones in order to activate the flight or fight response that increases heart rate, blood pressure and pulse rate. So restorative yoga initiates the working of the parasympathetic system that brings bodily functions back to normal. it slows down the sympathetic nervous system which normalizes our heart and pulse rate and blood pressure and further gives a relaxing state of mind and body in the end.
It doesn’t mean that restorative yoga diminishes your stress or anxieties, it is more likely to change it in a healthier way i.e. Eustress.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF RESTORATIVE YOGA?
The main and vital purpose of restorative yoga is to maintain a healthy and better lifestyle. The mind is a vital source of operating our thoughts, emotions and body. We’re working ■■■■■■■ our physical fitness but if we’re ignoring our mental fitness, it all goes in vain. If a person is unable to cope up with stress and anxiety, it’ll not only affect your health mentally, but you’re more likely to fall prey to chronic diseases such as cardiac issues, obesity and stroke, etc. In short, mental and physical health are interconnected with each other. If you’re mentally healthy, then you are physically healthy too.
Many people face chaos of thoughts and irregular thought patterns in their minds. So, another purpose of this yoga is to maintain focus and master the art of controlling your mind,
Other than that, relaxing your muscle which gets tensed from continuous working and carrying stress on your shoulders. Health is one of the biggest blessings of Allah and the best way we can thank Him for his blessings is through taking care of our body and mind.
BENEFITS OF RESTORATIVE YOGA:
The benefits of restorative yoga are as follows:
- It improves attention, focus, empathy and releases everyday stress. Studies show that it also improves memory and emotional fitness.
- Optimism is a medicine that keeps your mind healthy. It allows us to outlook the world positively no matter, how many times we fail. The use of this approach allows us to overcome stress and depression by overcoming our negative thoughts.
- It provides a room to think creatively and wisely. It allows for solving complex problems and unlocks hidden talents. It also helps in building confidence and self-esteem.
- It aids in mastering the practice of emotional control.
- Improves flexibility and strength.
- It boosts your immunity and helps to protect from chronic diseases.
- It helps in treating eating orders and other mental disorders.
- It gives you positive vibes and aids in changing your outlook towards life.
- It is really effective for patients suffering from nervous and bone diseases such as sciatica, arthritis and ■■■■■ pains.
- It is also really beneficial for pregnant women who are contributing giving their strength and power to make a new life inside them.
CONCLUSION:
As we’re proceeding towards a modern world, life is becoming more and more difficult and challenging. Our necessities of life are rapidly increasing and for achieving them we’re giving our all strengths and energies to achieve them. In the race of achieving we often forget ourselves.
We all face challenges and a plethora of obstacles in life and that’s not a big deal. It’s a part of nature. All we need to do is learning. Improving mind and body power is about habits and habit takes time and practice to build. Learn to cope up with challenges. People with a strong body and mind live a richer and more fulfilling life than weaker ones. It’s all about loving and giving priority to yourself. So, start giving preference to yourself first because you matter.