Simple Poses to relieve fatigue.

Open the body to deep relaxation using a few props: bolsters; blankets; blocks; and belts. In lay persons’ terms: blankets/towels; pillows/couch cushions/rolled sleeping bag; a stack of big books; and old tie/strap/pantyhose. For our restorative classes live or recorded, get your pile of stuff ready. For those who want the total spa effect, get a sheet and a large bowl, fill the kettle and bring to a boil as well (I will explain this one a little further along.

You may be feeling energized by being at home and having immediate family around all day, every day or you may be feeling a little tired and overwhelmed by trying to do your job from home, run the household and be with your people all day. Restorative yoga is a great response to feeling overworked, over stressed, drained by a physical ailment, a psychological condition or side effects of medication. What ever the cause, all of us can benefit from the respite that a restorative yoga practice provides.

When we are depleted, a challenging practice can aggravate the nervous system, use valuable energy and exacerbate the fatigue. Restorative yoga can sooth the senses, turn our attention inward and deeply rest the parasympathetic nervous system. Restorative poses can lower anxiety levels, calm the fight-or-flight response (lets talk adrenaline later) and give us permission to ‘unplug’ for a short time.

Taking time for a 5 minute breathing break or a 1 hours restorative yoga class can help with long-standing fatigue. Fatigue can make the unconscious effort of standing up straight feel exhausting. The shoulders stoop and the spine sages, the chest and diaphragm get compressed, the breath becomes shallow, and the abdomen tightens. Taking time to rest, using props to support tired tender body parts is an easy way to combat this general feeling of malaise without draining energy reserves further.

Our live and recorded restorative yoga classes are a great place to start. I will be adding Michele Hopkins, 5 minute Breathing video to our recorded class selection today. Stop by and try it out. If you are not already a member with access, drop me a line at [email protected] and we will get you set up.

Ok, so for the sheet and bowls - when it is time to relax into svasana after 5 mins of breathing or at the end of your restorative practice, plug in the kettle, boil some water, pour into your bowl lay it beside you (add some eucalyptus if you have it) and relax lying down with the sheet over your head and the bowl, breath deep and relax for 20mins for a therapeutic steam.