If you’re curious about the benefits of Restorative Yoga, check out my infographic below for more.

Theme this evening is on the Breath and Posture while being supported by the many props found in the home such as pillows, cushions, blankets.

Curious as to why you should join me? Read on below, otherwise book directly through the link here: www.corayoga.ie.

Over the past few weeks on various occasions I found myself pulled into past default stress reactions. Through my practice of mindful movement, and meditation, I continue to develop the tools I can reach for more easily to support me at these times. One of these is the breath.

--> What I used to do: In the past I might have held my breath, unconsciously exacerbating the feeling of anxiety in my stomach and tightness in my chest.

--> What I now do: Deep exhalation to ground myself and feel my feet on the ground. This slows down my heart rate. Helps me slow down my thinking to make more rational decisions on what to say or do next.

I’m currently re-reading ‘Breath’ by James Nestor, and in the chapter on ‘Exhale’ he talks about how “moderate exercise like walking or cycling has been shown to boost lung size up to 15%.”

If you’ve been to my classes you may be familiar with my prompt to breathe in ‘your favourite smell’ to encourage a deep inhalation through the nose. For the exhalation through the mouth I suggest you imagine ‘you’re directing your breath towards a flickering flame, trying not to blow it out, long slow and steady’.

Extending the out-breath to be longer than the in-breath can engage with the parasympathetic nervous system, which engages the rest and digest response.

Nestor states “A typical adult engages as little as 10% of the range of the diaphragm when breathing…. Extending those breaths to 50% to 70% of the diaphragm’s capacity will ease cardiovascular stress and allow the body to work more efficiently.”

In Restorative Yoga we hold only ~4 poses over an hour, holding long periods of quiet while we observe how the pose, breath and props are serving us. How do I feel? How can I be more comfortable? What other props do I need?

This ‘putting yourself first’ can be a challenge at first, as can slowing down enough to become quiet, even (or especially) when it is noisy all around. How often do we notice or listen to the chatter of the mind, the discomfort or irritations in the body?

Introducing deep rest, or a Yin practice, to balance the Yang of daily life, sports, and socialising, aims to bring balance to you, your body and your mind. Give yourself permission to rest, restore and rebalance. Ready to go again whenever you are ready.

If you have a monthly membership you already have full access to book your space in this class as part of your benefits. If you have a package you can use one of the credits towards this class. Or simply avail of the drop-in feature if you’d like to try before committing to more.

I hope to see you later to connect, rest, and restore.

Xx Córa

www.corayoga.ie | cora@corayoga.ie | 087 804 9818