AVY’s Favorite Restorative Poses

LEGS UP A WALL

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SIDE LYING SAVASANA ON COUCH

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SUPPORTED CHILD’S POSE

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SUPPORTED SIDE BEND

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ELEVATED SAVASANA

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SUPPORTED BOUND ANGLE IMG_0238_2IMG_0206_2 IMG_0208

  SUPPORTED BACK BEND IMG_0440 IMG_0425IMG_0441

Yoga Travels

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While rest and relaxation are incredibly therapeutic in their own right we increase their healing benefits exponentially by practicing in nature. 2016 we went to Little Corn Island, 40 miles off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. June 2017 we traveled to Mexico in June for the ultimate R & R at Haramara. And December 2017 we took a very special, once-in-a-lifetime trip, deep into the Amazon Rainforest. Stay tuned for upcoming retreats.

What Is Restorative Yoga?

“Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” – Carl Jung

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Restorative yoga is a passive yoga, in which the body is supported so that it can rest deeply and completely, allowing habitually held layers of tension to release. Poses are held for long periods of time and are suitable for anyone who wishes to quiet the mind and reconnect. It can be quite challenging for those who are use to DOING all the time. This is a practice of BEING.

READ MORE ABOUT RESTORATIVE YOGA:

MEDITATION

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Turns out being relaxed is good for us. We have access to our higher creative brain, we are more likely to be present, our peripheral vision opens, you become more sensitive to the world and most importantly it feels really good to be relaxed. Meditation is a great tool to get there. Meditation has been around for thousands of years and it seems only recently we are waking up to the profound transformation it allows. From lowering blood pressure to reducing stress to restoring the brain. In fact, the body can heal itself given the opportunity (time spent in a deeply relaxed state). There is a ton of research being done on the effects of being still and meditating. The neuroscience behind what’s happening during mediation is fascinating. This is an area of ever expanding awareness, so the following articles are only a brief introduction to the vast nature of the mind. Hope you enjoy.

http://www.feelguide.com/2014/11/19/harvard-unveils-mri-study-proving-meditation-literally-rebuilds-the-brains-gray-matter-in-8-weeks/

http://www.mindful.org/the-science/neuroscience/your-brain-on-meditation

http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/01/eight-weeks-to-a-better-brain/

http://thehigherlearning.com/2014/11/30/harvard-mri-study-shows-that-meditation-rebuilds-brains-gray-matter-in-just-8-weeks/

Judith Lasater

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Judith Lasater was the pioneer of restorative yoga. She developed the passive form of yoga from her work with B.K.S. Iyengar and it has quickly become a necessary remedy to living a modern life. She has written prolifically on restorative yoga and her many essays can be found here. I am forever grateful to Judith for sharing her wisdom and for all that she has taught me and continues to teach me.

What is AVY?

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AVY (Amber Voiles Yoga) has been practicing yoga for 20 years and comes from an extensive movement and healing arts background, including Alexander Technique, Laban, Feldenkrais, LeCoq, Skinner Releasing Technique, Qigong, Integrated Respiratory Therapy and 15 years of massage therapy. Her restorative and gentle classes are a perfect complement to a vigorous lifestyle and yoga practice. They are designed to slow down the body and mind so that you can relax deeply, allowing your natural rhythms to balance and restore. She is currently completing her National Ayurvedic Medical Association approved Ayurvedic Counselor training. Find her on facebook here.

Be. Still.

Find a Teacher

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Judith Lasater, who was a student of B.K.S. Iyengar’s, was the pioneer of restorative yoga. Her teacher directory can be found here. Jillian Pransky heads up the almighty Yoga Works restorative division and her teacher directory can be found here. I have studied with both and find their work to be profound.