Restorative yoga is a practice we all need more of and definitely can’t get enough of. It’s a guaranteed relaxation technique that will leave the body incredibly relaxed and restored, or what I like to call yoga stoned.

If you haven’t experienced a yoga stoned moment, here’s your chance yogis.

Restorative Yoga Practice – Pin now, practice later!

Restorative yoga is a practice that everyone needs – regardless of gender, age, size, or athletic ability. It’s a practice that offers beautiful benefits and should definitely be incorporated into your yoga routine. If strong powerful flows are your yoga norm, then even more the reason to starting doing a restorative yoga practice.

Before I start jibber jabbering about my personal journey, below are a few benefits of a restorative yoga practice:

• Encourages mindfulness.
• Soothes the nervous system.
• Deeply relaxes the body.
• Deepens self-awareness and introspection.
• Allows you to feel safe and nurtured.

The first few years of my yoga practice only consisted of strong, sweaty flows. I treated the practice as a tool to stay fit and toned and scoffed at the idea of a slow paced yoga class. Restorative yoga, yin yoga, even hatha yoga seemed pointless for my personal practice. Fast forward to the present moment – these types of yoga classes are not only what my body needs but what my entire being wants.

Restorative Yoga to Relax & Reconnect – Pin now, read later!

While I don’t attend or do a full out restorative sequence every week or even every month, I do try to incorporate these postures into my yoga practice. Whether it’s doing a few postures in the morning, a few postures before bed, or in the beginning/end of a class – I make it a point to do something.

Related: Restorative Yoga to Release Stuck Energy from Your Shoulders, Neck & Upper Back

And the more I do – the more I feel, the more I open, the more I soften, the more it all starts to make sense…. Just trust me yogis, it will all make sense once you do this too.

If you’re an avid yoga practitioner who never varies from strong flows, please ask yourself:

• What does my body need?
• How can I soften into the practice?
• How can I pamper and reward my body for all it’s movements?
• What can I do to relax, restore, and reconnect?

Below is a restorative yoga sequence to encourage complete surrender. I want you to treat this time as if you’re at a spa – power down electronics, dim the lights, play relaxing music, light a few candles, and then let everything go. Drop the to-do lists, drop any insecurities or fears, and drop all the bullshit that’s not serving you. This practice is for YOU and only YOU.

Soak it up yogis, you deserve it!

I recommend holding each posture below for at least a full minute. For best results and complete relaxation, hold each posture for 5 – 10 minutes. Enjoy!

1. Balasana

*Recommended prop: bolster or block

2. Thread the Needle

3. Forward Fold

*Recommended prop: bolster or block

4. Seated Wide Angle

*Recommend prop: bolster or block

5. Seated Cat & Cow

*Recommend prop: blanket

6. Seated Gentle Twist

*Recommend prop: blanket

7. Pigeon Pose

*Recommended prop: bolster or block

8. Bridge Pose

*Recommended prop: block

9. Supta Baddha Konasana

*Recommended prop: bolster, blocks, and blanket

As I said above, the restorative postures shown don’t need to be completed in order or all at one time. Do what you can and flow with that – add one or two of these postures into your daily routine and slowly they will become more familiar and needed.

Related: 30 Min Restorative Yoga for a Gentle Hip Stretch

Until next time – xoxo.