| Restorative poses help relieve the effects of chronic
stress in several ways. First, the use of props as described in
this book provides a completely supportive environment for total relaxation.
Second, each restorative sequence is designed to
move the spine in all directions. These movements illustrate the age-old
wisdom of yoga that teaches well-being is enhanced by a healthy spine.
Some of the restorative poses are backbends, while others are forward bends.
Additional poses gently twist the column both left and right.
Third, a well-sequenced restorative practice also
includes an inverted pose, which reverses the effects of gravity. This
can be as simple as putting the legs on a bolster or pillow, but the effects
are quite dramatic. Because we stand or sit most of the day, blood and
lymph fluid accumulate in the lower extremities. By changing the relationship
of the legs to gravity, fluids are returned to the upper body and heart
function is enhanced.
Psychobiologist and yoga teacher Roger Cole, Ph.D.,
consultant to the University of California, San Diego, in sleep research
and biological rhythms, has done preliminary research on the effects of
inverted poses. He found that they dramatically alter hormone levels, thus
reducing brain arousal, blood pressure, and fluid retention. He attributes
these benefits to a slowing of the heart rate and dilation of the blood
vessels in the upper body that comes from reversing the effects of gravity.
Fourth, restorative yoga alternately stimulates and soothes
the organs. For example, by closing the abdomen with a forward bend
and then opening it with a backbend, the abdominal organs are squeezed,
forcing the blood out, and then opened, so that fresh blood returns to
soak the organs. With this movement of blood comes the enhanced exchange
of oxygen and waste products across the cell membrane.
Finally, yoga teaches that the body is permeated with
energy.
Prana, the masculine energy, resides above the diaphragm,
moves upward, and controls respiration and heart rate. Apana, the
feminine energy, resides below the diaphragm, moves downward, and controls
the function of the abdominal organs. Restorative yoga balances these two
aspects of energy so that the practitioner is neither overstimulated nor
depleted.
(From Relax and Renew: Restful
Yoga for Stressful Times, copyright © 1995 by Judith Lasater,
Ph.D., P.T. Reprinted with permission from Rodmell Press, Berkeley, Calif.,
www.rodmellpress.com)
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