300-hour YTT assignment to assess someone in an active variation of a pose and then set them up in a restorative variation of the same posed based on what you see!

Pose # 1 – Fish Pose to Restorative Fish Pose

Notes to consider for restorative version – limited thoracic extension, tension/ bracing across the anterior shoulders and chest, buckling in the shoulder girdles and cervical spine

Restorative Fish Pose – slightly inclined bolster under back to increase thoracic extension and decrease bracing across anterior shoulders and chest, support of rolled blanket under head to decrease cervical extension

Link to Video: Restorative Fish Pose

(inspired by the variations in Restorative Yoga Therapy, pages 37 & 39)

Pose #2 – Child’s Pose to Restorative Child’s Pose

Notes to consider for restorative version – tension across upper back, posterior shoulders, and posterior pelvis/ hips, student noted discomfort at top of ankles/ feet with feet in plantarflexed position

Restorative Child’s Pose – bolster on blocks under torso w/ rolled blanket at hip crease to fill in space between abdomen and bolster, small bolster/ pillow wrapped in a blanket between calves and buttocks/ hips

Link to Video – Restorative Child’s Pose

(Inspired by the variation in Restorative Yoga Therapy, page 134)

Pose #3 – Seated Forward Fold to Restorative Seated Forward Fold

Notes to consider for restorative version – bracing through thoracic spine and posterior shoulders increased posterior pelvic tilt, student notes hamstring tension to the point of discomfort

Restorative Forward Fold – we tried every variation in the Restorative Yoga Therapy book including adding additional props to the variations and the student reported hamstring and low back tension in all variations that had the legs-torso at a 90 degree angle. We ended up finding comfort in a position supported by the wall – we did try another option by rotating the orientation of the pose for a legs of the wall variation, but I felt this one represented the intentions of the original pose better.

Link to Video – Restorative Forward Fold

(Inspired by variation in Restorative Yoga Therapy, page ?? – tried them all and then ended up going a little rogue!)

Thanks for joining me to explore these restorative yoga poses!