Deep Rest
Restorative Yoga and Relaxation
NOW monthly on Zoom - updates on in person workshops coming soon.
North London Buddhist Centre
72 Holloway Road
N7 8JG
10 min walk from Highbury & Islington or Holloway Rd stations.
What will this workshop include?
A unique and deeply relaxing blend of simple practices to rest, restore and nourish ourselves. Including some gentle somatic movement to release muscle tension (from Hanna Somatics) and simple breath focus (Pranayama) to calm the mind, this workshop will focus primarily on supported restorative yoga poses using bolsters and plenty of other props.
Why supported yoga poses?
Each restorative pose is held for at least 10 minutes and in this time the body can sink into the support provided, enjoying passive stretches, openings, twists, or gentle inversions, all whilst the nervous system is being soothed into the parasympathetic resting state.
Why do we need to soothe the nervous system?
Much of our busy lives demands the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which keeps us ready for action and ready to respond to challenges around us. Meanwhile the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for allowing us to rest, digest and recover. These two branches of the nervous system are designed to balance each other healthily, but in our modern world the balance tends often to be tipped in favour of the sympathetic branch. This workshop is designed to help redress the balance!
What are the benefits of stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system?
Reduces heart rate
Lowers blood pressure
Reduces the inflammatory response
Releases endorphins
Stimulates the digestive system
Immune system functions at a higher level
A unique and deeply relaxing blend of simple practices to rest, restore and nourish ourselves. Including some gentle somatic movement to release muscle tension (from Hanna Somatics) and simple breath focus (Pranayama) to calm the mind, this workshop will focus primarily on supported restorative yoga poses using bolsters and plenty of other props.
Why supported yoga poses?
Each restorative pose is held for at least 10 minutes and in this time the body can sink into the support provided, enjoying passive stretches, openings, twists, or gentle inversions, all whilst the nervous system is being soothed into the parasympathetic resting state.
Why do we need to soothe the nervous system?
Much of our busy lives demands the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which keeps us ready for action and ready to respond to challenges around us. Meanwhile the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for allowing us to rest, digest and recover. These two branches of the nervous system are designed to balance each other healthily, but in our modern world the balance tends often to be tipped in favour of the sympathetic branch. This workshop is designed to help redress the balance!
What are the benefits of stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system?
Reduces heart rate
Lowers blood pressure
Reduces the inflammatory response
Releases endorphins
Stimulates the digestive system
Immune system functions at a higher level