What is Restorative Yoga?

Over 4,000 years ago Hatha Yoga (the physical practice of meditation) was created as a method to overcome aches & pains that arise through day to day living.  The intention was to free up & build the practitioner’s physical & mental energy so they may dedicate themselves to higher pursuits.
Restorative Yoga is a modernized form of this practice taught from a restful perspective.  Our overly-stimulating lifestyles that keep the sympathetic nervous system (the fight/flight response) on all the time is known to cause as well as exasperate many, if not all, the health issues we encounter in our life.  This practice carefully combines easy-to-access asanas (static yoga postures) and gentle vinyasas (yoga movements) to restore and balance the function of the parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation response) to release, re-align and refill physical & mental energy. – Mary

Why are my palms/feet so sweaty?

In my experience, a slippery mat could be the culprit so maybe it’s time to get a new mat that allows you to grip a little better. Some find it helpful to keep a towel near by to wipe away excess moisture in between postures. On a deeper level, sometimes the body sweats and releases fluid as it is changing and shifting. Be observant about your body and yourself and to see if this may be the reason you are sweating. Perhaps your body is detoxifying and becoming purified!  Let this process occur fully – it will pass! – Aarti

I’m not flexible – Can I do Yoga?

Absolutely! You are a perfect candidate for yoga. Many people think that they need to be flexible to begin yoga, but that’s a little bit like thinking that you need to be able to play tennis in order to take tennis lessons. Come as you are and you will find that yoga practice will help you become more flexible with time.  The key is to honor your body, be open, and be YOU. This newfound agility will be balanced by strength, coordination, and enhanced cardiovascular health, as well as a sense of physical confidence and overall well-being. – Alanna

Everyone has areas on their body that are more or less flexible then other areas, and yoga is an excellent way to encourage not only flexibility, but also endurance, strength, body awareness, relaxation and compassion. By practicing yoga, my inflexible areas have become more flexible, and with time, I see so many benefits from a consistent yoga practice that move beyond the physical.  By using props, practicing pose modifications, and communicating needs and limitations to your teacher, you will begin to witness your overall transformation from being stiff, to being aware, joyful, strong AND flexible! – Amy

Why do we roll to the right side after shavasana?

It’s all about Ha and Tha.  Sun and Moon.  Male and Female.  Projection and reception.  Activation and relaxation. The left nostril, which is Ida or Yin (feminine, fluid, passive, receptive) stays open which helps to calm the central nervous system after a vigorous (Yang) practice. Also, we take energy or prana in through the body from the left side and release energy away from the body through the right side so rolling onto the right helps to release that which no longer serves us as we complete our practice.  Rolling onto the right side activates the sympathetic (Yang) nervous system and helps to arouse us out of the dreamy internal state of shavasana in preparation to re-meet the external world.  Physiologically, because the heart is on the left, lying on your right side allows the heart to stay on the top and remain open and free of pressure.  When you rise with left on top you “lead with your heart”. – Deborah