Restorative Yin Yoga for the Full Moon

This class will be held over 1 1/2 hours where poses will be held for 15 to 20 minutes and you will be fully supported with bolsters, blankets, blocks. During your class, you will be treated to the sounds of singing bowls and chimes, a short guided meditation and a period of silence.  Restorative yoga is a practice that is all about slowing down and opening your body through passive stretching. If you take a restorative class, you may hardly move at all, doing just a few postures in the course of an hour or slightly longer. It is a completely different experience than most contemporary yoga. In restorative yoga, props are used extensively to support your body so you can hold poses for longer periods of time. Postures are usually adapted from supine or seated yoga poses with the addition of blocks, bolsters, and blankets to eliminate unnecessary straining. Prepare yourself for deep relaxation when you attend a restorative class. Expect the teacher to arrange for the necessary props to be available for you. The lights may be dimmed and soft music played. If it is chilly, keep your socks and sweatshirt on since you will not be warming up the body the way you would be in a regular class. In some poses, the teacher may even cocoon you in blankets for extra warmth and coziness. After you are set up in a pose with all your props, you will hold the pose for an extended period, often up to 10 or 20 minutes. In these passive poses, the focus is on ease and release. You may even fall asleep. This can be a sign that the nervous system is recalibrating to a "rest and digest" state vs. "fight or flight."

You will continue to focus on your breath throughout. The teacher may talk you through meditation or play music, depending on their style. You may only do four or five poses over the course of an entire class.