"Restore and Renew" is a book about restful yoga by Judith Hanson Lasater.  In the book, she talks about how important it is to take care of our bodies by resting deeply into postures, thereby helping to alleviate stress.

​Judith has compiled a list of restorative postures complete with photos, setting up instructions, props needed, benefits of and contraindications for each in this book. It is a very helpful resource.

​Restorative means having the ability to renew, to bring back health, strength, or well-being. In yoga therapy, these types of postures can be used, often with the aid of props, to bring about physical, mental and emotional relaxation.

​As I breathe slowly in and out, my body calms and there is stillness, the foundation of understanding and insight.

​My breath is my energy, whether that is energy to calm or energy to promote action.

Breath awareness:  Sit cross-legged on the floor.  Place one hand on your abdomen and one on your chest. Close your eyes or cast your gaze towards the floor.  

Follow the breath as it flows in and out of your body.  Notice the filling up and expansion of the body on the in-breath.  Notice the relaxing quality on the out-breath.  Notice body shape changes.

Notice the temperature of the breath as it flows through your nostrils.  Notice if one nostril is more open than the other. Notice if your breath is smooth or uneven.  Just notice, no need to change anything. 

​Becoming aware, is the first step to improving your breath quality.

“The Healing Power of the Breath” is an informative book filled with simple breathing techniques to reduce stress and anxiety, enhance concentration and balance emotions.

One of the techniques that the book talks about is coherent breathing, which is an even count inhale and an even count exhale, and its benefits. The authors list several different sequences to try.

A regular practice of coherent breathing helps your mind feel calmer and your body to feel more relaxed.  As I began trying some of the different sequences, I could see how beneficial these simple practices could be.

​“Prana is a Sanskrit word that means life force [energy] and ayama means extending or stretching. Thus, the word “pranayama” translates to the control of life force. It is also known as the extension of breath. Every cell in our bodies needs oxygen to function properly.” – onemedical.com
 
Noticing the breath and becoming aware of how it works in your body, is the prelude to pranayama exercises.  It could be as simple as noticing changes in the body shape, the temperature, the sound, the shallowness or depth, or how the breath makes you feel.
 
An example of a basic breath practice is to stop, close your eyes, and focus your awareness on your breath flowing in and out of your body.  On your breath in, notice how your body changes shape.  On your breath out, release any tension you may be holding.  Do this practice for a few minutes and notice how you feel. 

To focus is to pay particular attention to something or an activity.  As you focus, it requires energy, which is the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity.  Thus, wherever you focus, your energy will go.
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When I clean my house, I focus on the task, using my energy.

When I have a conversation with someone, I listen with focused energy. 

When I practice a breathing exercise, my focused energy goes into the movement of my breath in, out, and around my body. 

Wherever I focus, my energy goes. 

"One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” 
- Henry Miller.

How has travel changed your way of seeing things?

Yoga Therapy is my passion.  I have felt the benefits for myself and seen it in others.  My offering to you is sincere.  Let me help you on your journey to creating new healthy habits.  Message me for a session on the contact page.