One of my all-time favs! Very comforting, Restorative Twist Pose makes me feel held and taken care of.

This pose invites your whole being to soften and unwind, soothing muscular tension while creating a lovely sense of spaciousness through your body and mind. Resting here supports parasympathetic ease, encourages healing and reminds you how nourishing it feels to consciously relax. 

RESTORATIVE TWIST POSE: Balances Fire Element & Restores Earth Element

1. Sit with one hip touching the end of your bolster (or tall stack of 3 pillows, blankets, or large couch cushion). Allow knees to slide apart to feel comfortable.
2. Sit up tall and stay upright as you slowly twist facing towards the props.
3. Then slowly lower your belly, chest and head onto the props.
4. Turn your head the same direction as the knees, or rest forehead on your hands.
5. Make adjustments for your body to feel even more comfortable: perhaps try a blanket under your head, or rest your hands on the bolster - the idea is to experiment and play with the props as there is no way to do this 'wrong'.
6. Breathe and rest deeply for 1-4 minutes.
7. Slowly rise up, and practice the other side.

Afterward, notice the effects and how you feel after your practice.

Possible Benefits of Restorative Five Element Yoga®

• Teaches you how to ‘consciously relax’ reducing stress.
• Deeply soothes the physical and energy bodies.
• Stills quiets, a busy mind and reduces feeling of struggle.
• Allows you to practice Mindfulness through your body-mind.
• Releases muscular tension, improving mobility and flexibility.
• Tones the Vagus Nerve to balances the nervous system.
• Shifts you into the Relaxation Response – parasympathetic.
• Improves capacity for healing.
• Boosts the immune system.
• Stimulates Oxytocin the ‘feel good’ hugging hormone.
• Helps you to sleep better.
• Develops compassion, kindness, acceptance.

Restorative Five Element Yoga® utilizes props on the floor in order to release tensions and rest deeply while you are awake and aware. Each pose gently activates and balances specific elements within the Five Element systems in yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine.