I Already Do Yin, Do I Really Need Restorative Yoga?
By now, you’ve likely heard the hype–Society Yoga has added Restorative Yoga to our class offerings on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and 10:15 a.m. and people are raving. But if you aren’t familiar, you might wonder what Restorative is and if you need it. This is especially true if you already do Yin Yoga!
So, let’s discuss the differences and similarities between Yin and Restorative Yoga.
What is Yin Yoga?
Yin Yoga has been on Society Yoga’s list of class offerings since the very beginning. The name Yin comes from the yin and yang philosophy. It’s an ancient Eastern philosophy that brings awareness to opposing, opposite forces and their interdependence. Think: you can’t have light without dark, or the good without the bad.
As it relates to yoga, yang styles represent vinyasa style classes, like:
Power Yoga
Sculpt
Yoga Burn
Gentle Yoga
Anything focused on flowing and moving, and linking movements of the body through postures with breathing are energetic yang-style classes. On the other hand, yin-style yoga classes represent stillness and static holds.
Until recently, Yin Yoga was the only yin-style offering at Society Yoga. It is a practice in which we hold various poses for anywhere between 3-7 minutes. As time goes on, practitioners find that they may be able to sink deeper into the pose allowing the stress of the pose to move beyond the larger muscle groups and into the deep fascia and various connective tissues in the joints. There are many benefits of Yin Yoga not only for the body but also the mind, as staying in these poses has a tendency to stir up mental and emotional static.
Traditionally, Yin Yoga focuses primarily on the hips and spine. However, at Society Yoga, we place equal emphasis on the upper body as well. This is because most of us have posture problems with disastrous health repercussions.
What is Restorative Yoga?
On the surface, Restorative Yoga seems very similar to Yin. It is, after all, a yin-style class that is slow-moving and relaxing. But Restorative has evolved from B.K.S. Iyengar-style yoga–the father of props.
Where Yin practices focus on a deep sensation with the goal of reaching the connective tissues deep within the muscles and joints, Restorative Yoga looks for the biggest passive opening of the muscles, with the goal of activating the parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system.
Using bolsters, blocks, straps, and blankets, we build the floor up to the body to support each part in various positions where we hold for 5-20 minutes each. While it might sound boring to visit a yoga class where you stay in one well-supported pose for 20 minutes, at Society Yoga, we start the class with a guided meditation and continue throughout the class. This creates a really unique and special class with many benefits.
The Similarities Between Restorative and Yin Yoga
By now, maybe you can see that there are some similarities between Yin and Restorative Yoga, including:
An emphasis on meditation
Holding poses for longer
Mental and physical benefits
However, you might start to notice some key differences between the two styles as well.
The Differences Between Yin and Restorative
It could be said that Restorative Yoga is like Yin, minus the intensity. Some of the other differences between Restorative Yoga at Society Yoga include:
Longer holds
More emphasis on meditation throughout the practice
Relaxing music and healing frequencies
More props
Passive stretches
The Benefits of Restorative Yoga
There are truly countless benefits to yoga in general, and Restorative Yoga is no exception. Along with the typical benefits you might find in a yoga class, Restorative offers the benefits of meditation as well.
When we talk about the yin and yang philosophy, we can also apply it to factors like lifestyle. The average person today lives a very go-go-go style life. That’s to say, life is very yang. It is necessary to find some stillness, or yin, to make for a more healthful and well-rounded life.
You can find this yin in a meditative practice, certainly. You can also find it in a Yin Yoga practice, but while this is a practice you can find peace and stillness with, Restorative Yoga may be even better for finding the yin to your yang.
That’s because Restorative asks you not to push into discomfort and stay there, like Yin, it asks you to relax with as much support as possible. It also asks you to move if you do experience discomfort, so you can limit distractions and stay in a meditative state.
Some other benefits of a Restorative Yoga practice include:
Boosting the immune system
Promoting relaxation
Promoting deep healing
Reducing pain
Improving sleep quality
Enhancing mood
More
Who Can Benefit from Restorative Yoga?
Anyone and everyone can benefit from a regular Restorative Yoga practice. It is especially great for anyone who is:
Pregnant
Physically limited
Highly stressed
Healing physically, mentally, or emotionally
Interested in deepening their yoga practice beyond asanas
Ready for a deep meditative practice
Searching to learn more about themself
Here’s what to Expect when you Come to Restorative at Society Yoga
When you visit Society Yoga for the Restorative Yoga experience, you can expect to walk into the studio and receive a warm welcome. You can bring your own mat or conveniently rent one from the front desk.
After you drop off your things, you’ll enter the studio to find a spot already set with all the props you will need for your practice, including blocks and bolsters. You’ll simply add your mat and sit or lie down and begin to relax. The studio is kept between 80-90 degrees, as Restorative is one of our non-heated class options. Gentle lyrical music may be playing until class starts.
When the class begins, we will switch to instrumental music or healing frequencies. You’ll be guided through a beginning meditation and hold poses for several minutes. As poses switch, you’ll be encouraged to move your props to support your body as much as possible and then directed to use your breath to release and built up tension.
We’ll end the class with a short Savasana and then you’ll be on your way feeling relaxed and with a deep internal peace that will last you all day.
We can’t wait to practice with you! Namaste.