Workout of the week: Restorative Yoga

Solar Yoga, 645 Tenacity Drive, Unit E Longmont, CO 80504, 303-485-0490 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 303-485-0490 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, http://solar-yoga.com/index.html

Instructor: D’Anne Rudden, 40, of Longmont has been teaching Restorative Yoga for a year. she also teaches Vinyasa yoga and has been teaching that for about 11/2 years. she says she decided to complete her teacher training in Restorative Yoga after taking several classes and finding them very challenging.

Rudden says that Restorative Yoga really teaches you how to slow down, relax and let go.

“The gift of off of the mat was so strong it made me want to come back again, and again, and again,” she says.

Solar Yoga has been open for five years and Restorative Yoga has been offered for the last two years. other teachers also teach this class.

What is the workout? Restorative Yoga is pretty much what it sounds like — gentle, slow yoga meant to restore and relax the body. Postures, most of which are done on the floor, are supported with props such as bolsters, blocks and blankets. this allows the body to relax completely into the posture, as the body does not have to work to sustain the posture. each posture is held for several minutes. this kind of yoga practice is referred to as a passive practice, while something like Vinyasa is an active practice.

What does it cost? Drop-in classes are $16. Solar Yoga also offers several package deals. Check the Web site.

who does it? All ages, mostly women, although Rudden says she’s starting to see more men participate. she says she gets a fair mix of people who have never done yoga before and those who have been practicing yoga for years.

when:? a one-hour class is held Sundays at 8 a.m., Mondays at 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays at noon and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

Level: well, this is a first. I give this class a one or two. Generally, I have instructors asking me, “Wasn’t that a hard class?” but the whole point of Restorative Yoga is that it isn’t hard. at least not physically. and that’s the rub.

This was a very emotionally and mentally challenging class. I’m so used to an active yoga practice so slowing it w-a-y down and relaxing felt almost indulgent or selfish. like I should have been doing more in that hour’s time. but I was doing more than I could have imagined. a restorative practice will, with time, help the practitioner learn how to drop easily into a relaxed, contented place. this kind of practice also helps nourish the parasympathetic nervous system and can reap benefits like increased immune system functioning, lower blood pressure and endocrine system support. Not bad for an hour of lounging on the floor!

Format: we started out with some deep breathing and an Om. we then did some very slow and modified sun salutations to warm up the body. then we hit the floor to perform three, count them three, postures. After that we had a nice, long Savasana and ended class with an Om. What always amazes me is the quality of sound and vibration between the Om to start class and the Om to end class. the first Om always sounds like a group of everyday Joes singing happy Birthday (you know what I mean — slightly painful but well intentioned), while the final Om always sounds like a trained choir who know what’s up. I suppose after an hour of breathing and relaxing together, we’re more in-tune and harmonized than when we started.

Equipment: All you need to bring to this class is your mat. or you can rent one if need be. Solar Yoga supplies all of the other props.

What to wear: everyone was wearing the usual yoga attire. I would recommend a comfortable long-sleeved shirt. I started to get a bit cold in my tank top.

Muscles worked: I guess I would have to say that Restorative Yoga is a full body workout. but more than that, I feel like it’s a brain workout, which might seem ironic since you’re trying not to use your brain and to quiet the mind. this, however, can be a very hard thing to do.

One new move: Place a large, firm pillow on the floor. Sit beside it with your right hip as close to the edge of the pillow as possible and your legs bent beside you on the floor. Now twist to your right and lay your chest squarely on the pillow turning your head to whichever side is most comfortable. Now, just relax, close your eyes, and let the pillow support you. this is a supported twist. Eventually you’ll want to do this on the left side as well, but take your time and really just melt before you switch sides. If you feel any pain or tension, you might need a bigger pillow or bolster. the point is not to feel pain, but to reach a state of relaxation.

What’s different: when it comes to working out, I’m pretty used to busting my butt. I generally feel if I don’t break a good sweat and feel like I might vomit at least once during the workout, well then it’s not a workout. Sick, right? so this is a completely different workout than anything I’ve ever done before. It’s different in that you’re working so much more than just your body, but you may not realize it at the time. the benefits come later and increase with time if you continue to practice Restorative Yoga.

What I loved: I loved the way I felt afterwards. I felt like I’d just taken a really great nap. I’m sure this effect would have been greater if I didn’t have my journalist cap on. It’s hard to just lay there and experience when you’re trying to commit things to memory or take notes so you can write it all up later. nevertheless, I left Solar Yoga feeling pretty darned relaxed.

What I didn’t like: I usually practice hot yoga, so to be in a room with a normal temperature felt a bit odd to me. In fact, the room felt a bit cold in general. I would imagine that a heated room would make it hard for some people to relax and rest, but I would have like a bit more warmth. Next time I’ll know to wear another layer.

Inspiration for class: Rudden says her own experience with Restorative Yoga is what inspired her to become certified to teach it. from this practice, Rudden says she’s learned how to relax, breathe and go with the flow. she says we’re generally in such a hurry that it’s hard to teach yourself not to be.

“It literally does teach your body new patterns,” Rudden says. “Some of my best yoga isn’t even on my mat.”

What others say: Lynn McNabb, 51, of Longmont has taken class a few times. she also practices hot yoga, which she says is more like work while this is more of a release.

“This is fabulous for a Sunday morning — relax and get ready for the week,” she says.

Mark Cline, 57, of Longmont is also new to Restorative Yoga, but not to yoga in general. He says he likes learning how to relax the mind and breathe through the sensations created in the postures.

“I enjoy it. I had done yoga for a couple of years and hadn’t done it for about a year, so this is a nice way to relax back into it,” he says.

How I felt after the class: I felt almost dreamy — like I was awake, but still in a dream-like state. I was totally mushy and headed home to drink some tea and curl up on the couch for a few hours, which is unusual for me on a Sunday morning when I’m normally rushing around doing errands.

How I felt later: this sense of peace lasted for several hours until I started doing those errands and running around. I suppose it will take several classes before I perfect the “off the mat” state that Rudden has learned.?

– Reported by Annie Brokaw

<a href="http://www.dailycamera.com/health-fitness/ci_16386524tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.dailycamera.com/health-fitness/ci_16386524Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:29:24 GMT 00:00″>Workout of the week: Restorative Yoga

body postures, rudden