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Sometimes we get exactly what we need exactly when we need it. I’ve been tired, hot, under the weather and to beautifully coincide with this the Gaiam yoga club gave me a week of forward folding and restorative postures.
Forward folds, by their very nature are passive. Gravity helps us to stretch the muscle groups in our legs and lower backs. By letting go and handing the pose over to gravity and the breath we can go much deeper than we think we can and in the process let go of tension and pain. These postures are lessons in patience though, they cannot be forced, they cannot be rushed. We have to sit with them and release gently, slowly and with awareness.
Foward folds are also something that a lot of us find difficult, especially when we are new to yoga. A lifetime in chairs or even of running, walking and cycling without adequate stretching can make our hamstrings tight. Members of my beginners classes often cannot touch their toes at first. Often it alarms them, but usually they make vast improvements in relatively short amounts of time, especially if they practice with patience.
According to the yoga teacher’s bible (Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha) forward bends “loosen up the back, maintaining good health and increasing vitality. These practices move the spine into the position known as the primary curve, the shape it takes in the womb. During a forward bending asana each of the vertebrae is separated, stimulating nerves, improving circulation around the spine and nourishing the spinal cord.”
What’s not to like right? 
In forward folds and other restorative postures (Supta Baddha Konasana, supported Savasana) you will also become aware of the breath slowing down; becoming longer, softer, calmer. And in turn the mind will begin to slow down and the awareness will begin to withdraw, preparing the body for meditation.
In our fast paced society even our yoga practices tend to be strong, sweaty, vigorous. And there is nothing wrong with that. But sometimes our bodies are calling out for some rest, some restoration, some yin. I was lucky enough to get a wake up call via the power of the interwebz at exactly the time when I needed a week off from a strong practice. I need to listen to my body more.
Readers, do you let your bodies restore?
The Gaiam Yoga Club is currently running two memberships – US$25 per month or US$65 per quarter (which saves you US$10). Both packages include a 10 day free trial period.
Rachel, I had a dream last night that I flew to Cambridge just to take a yoga class with you. And it was a wonderful class and you were adorable! lol
What a fantastic dream!! I heart the blogosphere
I found this post really moving! I love the comparison of the spine in a forward bend to the spine in the womb. When I first began yoga – and still sometimes today – the sensation of my spine unfolding was intense enough to make me gasp. I would hang in Utanasana breathing in enormous breaths, just riding the sensation.
That was back when I couldn’t touch my toes! Now forward folding is not as intense but it is still an intense, joyful and fully restorative experience.
Lovely post!
I love the last paragraph – too true.
Finally, I can say yes, I do let my body restore; I’ve had a nasty throat infection for days, and for once I’m allowing myself some yin; some restorative yoga seems a good way to help this along (I’m missing my usual, rather invigorating, yoga routine!)
Thanks!
thank you for these reviews..I was supposed to do this…whoops!! never activated my membership from them. I was in the midst of my move and totally spaced it out…ok, thanks for the reminder
Hey Averie, there’s always plenty of time to activate your membership! Thanks for all the great posts about GYC, Rachel! I’m going to look into getting you something special for all your hard work
Love a forward bend! Always. And if I need to yeah, I’ll go for a leisurely cycle, read a book or wander somewhere pretty. Much restore otherwise my system crashes and needs a re-boot. Last thing I need right now in my life is the Blue Screen of Death
Does yoga won’t affect my scoliosis? It sometimes hurt of carrying heavy shoulder bags.
Yoga with the right teacher will help your scoliosis
I have been having medication after bouts of depression, the doctor told me its because of my menopausal. I am planning to take up yoga than continue taking medicine, can yoga really help me with my battle on depression?
I have been doing yoga for quite a month and also been checking for different yoga advice from the pro. Thanks
I super love this post. A very healthy one. Me, myself loves yoga so much. Thanks for sharing this article.
I admire people who is into Yoga, they must have a true inner peace and a very disciplined life style. There is no yoga clinic here in our place since most people are still not acquainted with it.
Nice review you have here, I’ll share this to my sister. She is a yoga fanatic.
i LOVE yoga! been doing this for seven months now! been attending workshops too, the last one was ashtanga yoga workshop with Mark Robberds!!!
this helps me with my scoliosis too!
I super love this post. A very healthy one. Me, myself loves yoga so much. Thanks for sharing this article. |
I really loved this post. You write about this topic very well. I really like your blog and I
will definitely bookmark it! Keep up the super posts!
These postures are lessons in patience though, they cannot be forced, they cannot be rushed. We have to sit with them and release gently, slowly and with awareness.
I love the comparison of the spine in a forward bend to the spine in the womb. When I first began yoga and still sometimes today the sensation of my spine unfolding was intense enough to make me gasp.
I would hang in Utanasana breathing in enormous breaths, just riding the sensation.