WHAT IS RESTORATIVE YOGA

Restorative Yoga is an inward, quieting practice, utilizing props to create positions of ease and comfort for the body to facilitate relaxation and balance the nervous system. Inclusive to all people and accessible to all regardless of the state of one’s health. The poses are designed to support you in consciously letting go and resting; encouraging the body to open and release (as opposed to actively stretching) while the mind stays awake to track sensations and feeling. The pillars of a Restorative Yoga practice are: Still, Quiet, Dark, and Warm. The poses position the body on the floor or low to the ground and are held for longer periods of time (5 to 20 minutes), with only a few poses per session.

WHY TRY RESTORATIVE YOGA?

Living in today's fast-paced, high stress, noisy world is very depleting on the body and spirit. It often seems like silence and rest are hard-won luxuries. The practice of Restorative Yoga has shown to have immediate physiological and psychological benefits to combat such stress. It switches on your parasympathetic nervous system and turns down the  "fight or flight" sympathetic nervous system. Cortisol levels drop, blood pressure lowers, the mind is in a calmer state, sleep becomes more restful, and mood is elevated and stabilized. It can help give ease to digestive issues, PMS, menopause, pregnancy, low back pain, anxiety,  and depression - plus much more.

Once you experience the magic of a 20-minute Savasana and how rejuvenating it feels to give your brain silence and your body rest, you will be hooked and begin to experience more ease in your life as a whole.

Want to make your Restorative Yoga practice a consistent part of your Self Care?

Join my DO LESS CREW: RESTORE
* Auto booked into ALL Restorative Yoga Tuesdays Livestream
* Auto-booked into the monthly Facial Gua Sha Livestream
* Unlimited Access to my ON DEMAND library
* $60 monthly membership (savings of $84 per month)

PROPS TO HAVE FOR emiko’s CLASS (livestream + REcorded):

Yoga mat or carpet
5 Blankets or Large Towels
2 Bolsters or Firm Cushions OR
2 Queen-size Pillows
Eye covering (eye bag, sleep mask, washcloth, or scarf)
2 Hand towels or small pillows
1 Small pillow for head
2 Yoga Blocks

New to emikooyoga? Take your FIRST LIVESTREAM CLASS as my Guest with Discount Code FIRSTCLASSFREE at booking.

Can’t do Tuesday night livestreams? Join me on Wednesday nights 7:30-8:45pm PT via Tendwellcollective.com

emiko’s TOP PROPS LIST

Props are essential to a Restorative Yoga experience, and it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to purchase. I’m a big fan of people having their own props, not only to bring to public yoga classes, but to have a truly luxurious home practice. Having experienced the gamut of props through teaching and purchasing a closet full of my own props, I want to save you the hassle of figuring it out by listing my favorites.

Thunderbird Supreme Mexican Yoga Blankets - these are bigger and more substantial than standard Mexican yoga blankets you’ll find at most yoga studios. You can wash them repeatedly without much shrinkage. Get a minimum of 4 blankets; ideal to have 6-8 blankets if you want a more luxurious experience! Yes, it’s a cotton/poly blend, but it doesn’t feel cheap or scratchy (wool tends to be too itchy and hot, pure cotton shrinks).

Standard Yoga Bolster from Hugger Mugger - this is a curved rectangular shape that I’ve found to be the most versatile and best quality/long lasting of the bolsters out there. While they are the priciest brand out there, you get what you pay for (please avoid cheap bolsters!). Get 2 of these. If you are a Yoga Alliance member, you’re eligible for a huge discount.

Round Yoga Bolster from Sunshine Yoga - this is a hearty bolster that’s 100% cotton - which is great, but also means it will eventually compress in the middle with lots of use. Get 1.

Round Yoga Bolster from Gaiam - this brand is on the softer, less firm side, so it is ideal for behind the knees and sacrum.
This is my preferred round bolster, but hard to find as it’s often out of stock. Get 1.

Blocks - prefer foam over cork as it is more easeful directly against the body, and 5 inch width block to be more supportive. Get a minimum of 2. If you buy from Yoga Outlet, please use my affiliate link.

Eye Pillows by Yogamoves - this is a less bulky design than the standard eye pillow, which means it effectively blocks the light while not mushing your eyeballs. Less weight is better in this case. They are handmade from silk and flaxseed by yogini Lauren Lucero. These make excellent gifts to other yogis!