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Yoga Bytes - August 10, 2007
There is a category of yoga poses called restorative poses. These are poses that reverse the effects of stress and overwork. At the end of a tough day, they can bring you back to yourself so you can enjoy your evening, your friends and your family.
Restoration Pose with Bolster
At the end of a long day of struggling to deal with the chaotic world of humanity, this pose can help you let go of it all and gently make the transition to sleep. It takes a bit of setup, but the rewards are lovely.
Well, maybe not so much setup if you already own a bolster. If you donŐt own such a thing, you can fold blankets to form a bolster a little narrower than your shoulders and long enough to reach from your waist to the top of your head. It should be three to five inches deep. You can also use a firm pillow rolled or folded along the long axis.
Position your bolster beneath your ribcage (beginning just above your waist) so that it can also support your head. Relax, let your shoulders fall back around the bolster with your arms resting palms up beside your body. Breathe deeply and slowly.
This pose opens the chest and relieves tension in your back.
