More on restorative poses

             
                    

In a restorative, relaxing class, with props, only a few poses are actually used. In a Yin class, and also in some Iyengar classes, props such as pillows and blankets, may also be used.

But first, a most important aspect against incorporating long rests in poses

I do use restorative, relaxing (R & R) poses in many of my classes, and I have taught hundreds how to do this, too. I only do these R & R poses, for about 30 - 60 seconds each:

• in order to take a pause, and refresh
• to allow the body fluids and energy to re-circulate, after doing a series of poses

But, I do it differently for people who have had trauma, or those who are experiencing incredible stress and anxiety. (Even for those of us who are impatient, or restless)

If I even do it at all.

For, holding a pose, relaxing with the breath, for R & R, has an adverse, or opposite effect, in these cases. It can bring up anxiety, panic, and overheating. When we are traumatised or deeply stressed, our body is silently screaming at us to take flight (or fight), and in holding a pose whilst we aim to relax, we are doing just the opposite. This just does not work.

People need to keep moving and keep their eyes open, in these cases. Please don't impose "yoga relaxation", in any form, on someone in this situation. For it's the opposite of non-violence.

How to introduce and incorporate restorative, relaxing poses, into your classes

to start a class:

• seated
• standing
• lying in savasana

options here, include:

• body awareness
• breath awareness
• visualisation
• intention

You can also include one or more of these options

Doing any of these, with or without the above hints:

• brings in the aspect of relaxation
• creates a beneficial pause between the daily activity, and turning more within
• is restorative in that it brings us closer to ourself

during the class:

• as a pause between groups of poses
• after a strenuous pose
• between repetitions of certain poses
• if it's a dynamic class, such as strong poses, especially standing ones, or lots of sun salutes, or lots of vinyasas, a pose such as child could be used for a short R & R after bow pose, not for too long, as you would want to keep the movement of the class going          
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at the end of a strong class, whether or not you are doing pranayama, and/or meditation:

• this will serve also to "cool down" the body
• returns the breathing and heart rate to normal, if that is needed. Especially if there is no time for a long relaxation at the end
• having a fixed routine for this, especially after a dynamic class, is a really lovely and beneficial, touch

It is helpful to know that you can do all of this without props, in classes. A yoga teacher needs to be versatile, and able to teach in many varied ways, Which is not always easy. And it is a skill which comes from teaching. Researching hints and methods helps, too.