Restorative Yoga

Years ago I started learning restorative yoga.  I was fascinated by the mechanics of it, how many different ways could you fold a blanket and drape yourself over it? I went to some great classes with some really great teachers, I got books and studied, I bought dvd's and practiced.  I loved the idea of bringing this to people, planned all day retreats with the main event being restorative yoga.

As I continued to explore this unique style of yoga, I started experimenting with cushions, cutting up an old couch into large triangles. I bought pillow forms and sewed them into rolls.  I started making eye pillows with the herbs from my garden, all to create this amazing restorative yoga for others to enjoy.

Personally, it wasn't my thing.  I was way too much of an over achiever to spend an hour just laying around on a bunch of pillows.  I liked good, old, sweaty "power" yoga.  I liked strength;  handstands, chatuarunga, crow, I loved balance; half moon, brave warrior, the longer I could hold it, the better. Restorative Yoga was something I could give to others, not something I would "waste" time doing. Sigh.

Today was the last class of a six week restorative session.  Usually I would have all day retreats a few times a year, but over the summer I was asked to have a shorter, more frequent class so as an experiment, I hosted a once a month 2 hour class.  That was so popular that I decided to hold a every week session for 6 weeks to see if anyone was interested.  Much to my surprise, it sold out! Now what was I gonna do?  How was I going to keep it interesting 6 weeks in a row? I mean, seriously, how many ways can you drape yourself over cushions?

I learned so much.  I learned that it wasn't about how many ways... it was about relaxation. Pure and simple.  The best class was one where we only did 6 poses.  For 15 minutes each.  It was amazing.  I joined them.  I would quietly explain how to arrange the cushions, we would lay back and breathe.  That's all.  I didn't try to do alot of guided meditations, I didn't sit looking at them, worrying whether they were okay, I laid back and breathed. I found out that restorative yoga was my "thing".  In preparing each week, I found myself attaining deeper and deeper meditative states.  I discovered yoga nidra-- a sort of sleep while being completely alert. I have meditated for years.  I have done yoga for years.  I've done tai chi, chi gong, biospiritual focusing... you name it, I've done it.

This has been a very stressful 6 weeks of my life.  I have been more relaxed through it than I would have thought possible.  I've breathed deeper, I've let go of deep stress and strain, I've seen amazing things in my meditations. I'm so grateful that my beautiful friends and students gave me this opportunity.  We'll do it again real soon!