Restorative

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On the 2nd Day Of Practice, I needed to Rest and Digest.

Yes, I’ll give you something to help you digest all the food you ate yesterday if you didn’t practice abstinence.

Today I propose we take one of the two poses that are wonderful for digestion.

Yes, doing just one posture constitutes practice, but how we do it is what counts.

“Patanjali said the correct fulfillment of pleasure is an essential component not only of life but liberation… To pursue pleasure is to persue pain in equal measure.”

BKY Iyengar pg 175 Light On Life.

Supta Baddha Konasana or Supta Virasana are both good for digestion.

Excellent you are thinking, I can lie over a bolster and relax.

Wrong.

Practice with intent, not indulgence or languor.

The challenge is not in doing the posture, rather in finding a quiet space, the props you need, and being able to settle into the posture for 10 minutes undisturbed. The challenge is the discipline to practice with intent.

Now a few tips if you don’t have your yoga props.

  • Firstly don’t make it an excuse not to do the pose.

  • Use folded blankets, towels to build up the height you need to be comfortable.

  • Taking a firm seat cushion off the couch can work for a nice firm bolster support.

A few tips if you can’t find the time or space

  • You can do it lying on the lounge room floor while the kids play with their new toys.

  • Offer to read the kids a book while you lie in the position so they won’t interrupt you and everyone can relax together.

  • Keep in mind digestion is improved when we are relaxed.

A few tips in the posture

  • Make sure you are well supported and comfortable so you can relax and digest. The aim of practicing the posture is not to do our best posture or to extend yourself, it is to relax and digest.

  • Keep your awareness on your pelvic abdominal region

  • Feel the expansion, length, and breadth of the abdominal region in the posture and as a result the space that is being created.

Something is better than nothing, right?

Sometimes all we can manage is one posture. Do it mindfully, with awareness and attention and you will see that the 60-minute practice you did mindlessly was less impactful.

I have created a a series of short videos that show you how to set up for the most common restorative postures.

You can find them in the Yogabranches Home Yoga Practice Membership.

You can take a 30 Day trial for $1 Home Yoga Practice Membership for $1 and access these videos immediately.' Sign up now! This offer is only available for the 12 Days of Christmas.