Recently, after one of our mini-retreats where we enjoyed some yin inspired restorative yoga followed by a guided meditation in the form of a Yoga Nidra, one of the beautiful yogis who grace Emma's Yoga Hut said "I feel like I have just had a weeks holiday!"
I often struggle to find the ways to explain what our restorative yoga sessions are all about, why it is worth giving up 90 minutes to lounge around on bolsters and blankets seemingly doing very little - but I feel like her sentence summarised it perfectly: It is deep, meaningful and nurturing relaxation for our bodies and minds. In around 90 minutes she had reached a state of such deep rest that she felt as though she had had a whole week off from all her responsibilities.

Oh, on a sidetrack, before we go any further - every photo in this blog I owe photo credit to my daughter, Holly. I asked her to take some pictures of the Yoga Hut for me, and frankly I if she will take the offer I want her to now be the official Emma's Yoga Hut photographer!
Back on track now....
My first experience of restorative and nidra in tandem was during a 4 week yoga block of classes curated to release trauma. I loved it so much that I knew that once my yoga teacher training was complete that I would go on to train in those fields. It felt really important to me to be able to offer others these lovely practices. Those classes were undertaken at a deeply tumultuous time of my life - chief amongst the turmoil being grieving the sudden loss of my mother, and back and hip issues which left me in severe pain. Despite that I would float (well, limp!!) out of that class and be in such a dramatically improved emotional and physical state that it hugely positively impacted not only me, but everything and everyone around me. Not only that I always left with greater clarity and perspective and the feeling of being supported and safe.

If you ever come and join us at one of our Restorative classes you will find yourself in a cosy, warm and welcoming space. Carefully chosen essential oil blends in a diffuser help to support your sense of calm; peaceful, non intrusive music quietly plays. There are crystals and seasonal flowers reflecting our theme - the themes are very often linked to nature and her cycles. The light is gentle - candles and fairy lights in winter, shaded sunlight in summer. Everything is set up to offer you respite, a haven away from the everyday.
The practice of restorative yoga itself is one of slow, long held yoga asana (poses). We adopt a position, we make ourselves comfortable using bolsters, blankets, blocks - whatever we need, and we hold that pose for between 6 and 10 minutes. Which sounds like a long time, but somehow it just isn't. We focus on the breath, focus on softening and melting down into the pose, allowing physical tension to flow out of our bodies, there are short readings and poems to inspire you, breath work to soothe you, all whilst the body just lets go. All this settles and stabilises our central nervous system, which acts to regulate our heart rate, blood pressure, thyroid function, and much more, which in turn gives our bodies a beautiful sustained opportunity to rebuild, repair and restore.

Following this practice up with a yoga Nidra, or yogic sleep as its sometimes known, deepens that relaxation even further. Working through the layers of our consciousness - the body - the breath - the mind - the emotions and then finally to a few minutes in still silence - the Nidra meditation allows you to rest in the space between awake and asleep. This is a place where creativity flourishes and your problem solving works in overdrive. It is amazing how much clarity you can have after a Nidra session, even if sometimes that clarity takes a day or two to filter through. But the best thing about Yoga Nidra? All you need to do is lie back in a nest of blankets and bolsters and simply listen - or not - you literally cannot do Yoga Nidra wrong, because you don't need to do anything at all!

Emma's Yoga Hut is a safe space, I offer yoga from a trauma informed base. This is aimed at creating as much of a feeling of calm security for everyone as possible, even for those who don't always feel safe in their own bodies. If you come to any classes at Emma's Yoga Hut you may have noticed I do not walk around when you are practicing, I always let people know if I am moving around the room and why I am - usually its only to tuck people up in fluffy blankets for Savasana! Nor do I adjust anyone physically, or insist that we all do exactly the same things during the class - all these things are part of letting everyone have full autonomy over their body and their yoga practice.
Restorative and Nidra is a beautiful practice, with remarkable benefits. The act of looking like you are doing very little, when in fact you are doing a great deal.
So if you are searching for serious relaxation, for down time which is genuinely nurturing and meaningful, then perhaps come and try some restorative yoga in the friendly, welcoming haven of Emma's Yoga Hut. Allow yourself a soft place to land, allow me to give you permission to rest deeply - knowing you are fully supported throughout.
With love,
Emma xx
(Emma runs Emma’s Yoga Hut in Earley. A tiny garden studio offering small group yoga. She is a yoga student and yoga teacher and has practiced yoga for 25 years. She trained with the Traditional Yoga Association right here in Reading between 2016 and 2018 to achieve her 500 hour yoga teaching accreditation. She has additional teaching qualifications in Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra. She is very excited that she is about to start her training for Sound Baths using Crystal Quartz bowls and Tibetian Singing bowls!)
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