Welcome to Do Restorative Yoga

Do Restorative Yoga is dedicated to creating, collecting, teaching, and sharing
knowledge of Restorative Yoga & Deep Relaxation, Somatics & SomaYoga,
Yoga Nidra & iRest ®, Yin Yoga, and Yoga for Menopause.

What is Restorative Yoga and why should I practice it?

Restorative Yoga is a slow, mindful, floor-based, therapeutic style of hatha yoga. Every pose uses as many props as your body needs today to find ease and comfort. Using props such as bolsters, pillows, blankets, blocks, and belts allows a body to feel supported which enables the ability to sustain a pose for up to 10 minutes. In that time, the nervous system is quieted, the brain gets to rest, and the focus is on the breath. This nourishing practice allows our bodies to rest and heal. From 2008-2016 I created a Restorative Yoga Blog which is still available. Here is a link to an example of a Restorative Yoga sequence that you can practice.

What is SomaYoga and why should I practice it?

SomaYoga is a blend of Somatics & Yoga. Somatics is a movement science of neuro-muscular re-education through the practice of slow, mindful movements which encourage you to engage and release muscular tension throughout the body. Accessible, gentle exercises for the spine and joints are done slowly to increase sensory awareness, build range of motion, and create ease in your body and in your life. Somatics and SomaYoga are especially effective for releasing chronic tension and unconscious holding patterns in your body. The practice is suitable for all people including folks who have had an injury. Somatic exercises are done laying on your back, side, or belly, and can be modified for sitting in a chair.

What is Yoga Nidra or iRest Yoga Nidra and why should I practice it?

Yoga Nidra, and in particular iRest Yoga Nidra, is a research-based transformative practice of deep relaxation and meditative inquiry that releases negative emotions and thought patterns, calms the nervous system, and helps you develop a capacity to meet any and all circumstances you may encounter in life. Essentially it is a guided meditation which invites you to explore the layers of your body, mind, emotions, thoughts, feelings, and sensations. The practice invites you to use imagination and awareness to create more and more acceptance of the self and the world. Research has shown that iRest Yoga Nidra effectively reduces PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and chemical dependency. See my iRest page for more information and links to Free Guided Meditation practices.

What is Yin Yoga and why should I practice it?

Yin Yoga is a calm, meditative practice which employs long held, seated postures which focus on creating space in the connective tissues of the body such as the fascia, ligaments, tendons and joints. It is a balancing practice to “Yang” styles of yoga such as Ashtanga, Vinyasa, or Hatha. (Yang practices focus more on muscles vs. connective tissue.) Although Yin is a slow practice it can be very challenging as the stretches are deep and the holds are long. It is important while doing Yin Yoga to really focus on what your body is telling you and never go past your edge into pain. To break it down simply, it is like this:

What is Yoga for Menopause and why should I practice it?

Yoga for Menopause is a class I developed to address the lack of information and to help us build knowledge and community as we age. This special series uses yoga as the lens to focus on 4 important topics: strength, balance, function, and restoration as a way to smooth your transition into, through, and out of menopause. I've run this immersive through Yoga North, Yoga Devotion, and Svalja Yoga and also offered it as part of a co-led retreat called "Women: Navigating the Wisdom Years Together." I've put together a Menopause resource page here on my website, and I anticipate offering this series again in the future. Please watch my Facebook Events Tab for future offerings.

Where can I take a class or find more resources?

I offer occasional series or open classes - anywhere from 3-10 weeks long. Some of my classes are in-person and some are on Zoom (and some are hybrid style). You can practice with me on YouTube. I have two multi-week recorded sessions: Yin + Meditation and Yin Relax + Bowspring Yoga. To practice with me in person, please watch my Facebook Events Tab for future offerings. You can also explore the resources page, the menopause resources page, and the other tabs on this website.