Our lives are often filled with stress and distractions and while we may sleep, we rarely take time to truly rest. Restorative yoga helps us learn to relax and rest deeply and completely. In Restorative yoga, props are used to support the body so that poses can be comfortably held for a longer time, allowing the body to gradually open through passive stretching.
Jenny O.’s Restorative yoga classes include a strong element of deep relaxation to benefit all the organ systems of the body. A few of the measurable results of deep relaxation are the reduction of blood pressure, serum triglycerides, and blood sugar levels in the blood, the increase of the “good cholesterol” levels, as well as improvement in digestion, fertility, elimination, and the reduction of muscle tension, insomnia and generalized fatigue.
Jenny O. often plays Tibetan bowls while her students are enjoying deep relaxation in Restorative yoga postures. Sound therapy for the body and mind, it helps to calm the mind more deeply and keeps the mind occupied so the body can relax.
iRest
For those who are interested in taking their deep relaxation practice a step further, Jenny O. suggests giving iRest a try. As a certified iRest teacher, Jenny O. leads iRest yoga nidra, an ancient form of “yogic sleep.”
iRest yoga nidra is integrative in that it heals the various unresolved issues, traumas, and wounds that are present in the body and mind. It is restorative in that it aids its practitioners in recognizing their underlying peace of mind that is always present amidst all the changing circumstances of life.
People using iRest report the following benefits:
- Decreased stress, anxiety, fear and depression
- Decreased insomnia and sleep disturbances
- Decreased perception of chronic and acute pain
- Improved interpersonal relations
- Increased energy levels
- Increased sense of control in their lives
- More confidence and joy in their lives
- Greater sense of peace and well-being
iRest is typically taught as a guided meditation. Students can expect to lie down or sit comfortably during the practice. It is comprised of the following:
- Development of intention
- Body sensitivity training
- Breath and energy awareness
- Systematic neutralization of:
- Negative body sensations and stress
- Negative feelings and emotions
- Negative beliefs, images, and memories
- The experience of joy and well-being
- Freedom from the sense of separation generated by the senses and mind
- The ability to experience peace amidst the changing circumstances of life
Corazón Yoga 