Restorative Yoga for Peace and Mobility
No matter how well-intentioned we aim to be, the hectic pace of the holiday season can make attending to our physical and mental needs a challenge. Whether we’re stationary in cars for family road trips, planted at a desk for work duties, or bustling around town trying to finish errands before closing time, we often place our needs last.
Finding time for self-care is something we should apply to our daily life. It allows you to take the time to fulfill your own needs, and when you do that, you’ll be in a better position to help those you love. But during the holiday season, who has time to engage in a self-care routine? It’s easier than you think. And your physical therapist can help you develop a self-care plan (accounting for sleep, nutrition, physical exercise, recovery, and relaxation) that works around your schedule—no matter how busy it is! If you’ve not tried it before, restorative yoga may be a great place to start.
What is Restorative Yoga
Restorative yoga encourages physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. Appropriate for all levels, restorative yoga is practiced at a slow pace, focusing on long holds, stillness, and deep breathing. It does not require extensive equipment, can be done in a quiet spot within your house or apartment, and can help slow breathing, reduce blood pressure, and produce a feeling of calm and increased well-being. Just what you need to help you refocus on your health.
During this busy time of year, shake out those tight muscles with some yoga. We’ve compiled a list of restorative yoga poses that encourage physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. One of the key differences between restorative yoga and other forms of yoga is that when practicing restorative yoga, you do not contract your muscles. Your muscles will feel the gentle stretch of the positions, to release tension, focus on breathing, and feel a true sense of calm.
Additional health benefits of restorative yoga include:
- Deeply relaxes the body
- Stills a busy mind
- Releases muscular tension, improving mobility and flexibility
- Improves capacity for healing and balancing
- Balances the nervous system
- Boosts the immune system
- Develops qualities of compassion and understanding toward others and self
The perfect recharge for a busy, motion-filled holiday season!
We recommend you do these exercises in a safe and comfortable setting. Check with your physical therapist if you have any questions or concerns when performing these exercises.
Restore Movement with Physical Therapy
If pain or injury prevents you from being as active as you like, including pursuing many of the ways that movement can benefit your mind, body, and soul, please contact our office. As your partner in health, we are here for you whenever you need us.
Call any MVPT Physical Therapy location to schedule or complete the form below to request an appointment.
Resources:
