Being able to stay in a yoga pose for up to 15 - 20 minutes while your body is supported with props such as blankets, bolsters or blocks, with eyes closed or covered and breathe in nicely scented air with essential oils with relaxing qualities and listening to soft, relaxing music or the sound of Tibetan bowls is a wonderful experience. You can truly experience your inner quietness which is behind the everyday chaos and stress. Don't fight it. Enter! 
During Restorative Yoga your body finds the most comfortable position, stops fighting with gravity and accepts that it is time to relax. Relaxation is not limited to muscles but affects bones, joints, spine, fascial network. And slowly your brain and central nervous system rest as well. 
Restorative yoga as well as every other yoga style is based on the concept of Pancha Kosha which states that we have three bodies (gross or physical, subtle or energetic and casual or blissful). During Restorative Yoga you are instructed to be aware of your body first and adjust the position if it is not comfortable for you and feel your body relaxing. Next you are instructed to notice your breath and watch it without controlling it, flow with it and let go on each exhalation. Afterward you are encouraged to notice your body touching the mat, your clothing, the air 'touching' your nostrils and let go further. And then you are encouraged to bring awareness onto your mind. There will be thoughts, they are always there, but you can leave them and just notice them as a not very interesting movie and let them be. That is when you arrive to your inner silent sanctuary. 
While practising Restorative Yoga don't use strength to get into positions. Look for the most comfortable positions. Give your body time to adjust and relax in the poses.
Stay for 3 - 20 minutes, beginners 3 - 5 minutes. Visualisations can enhance your relaxation. 

Orange Massage and Yoga runs regular Restorative Yoga workshops. Get in touch! 

Sun Salutation is one of the most known yoga sequences. On first sight it may look just like series of  burpees but this practice has deep roots in working with the energy of the Sun. With every individual asana in this sequence you honour the sun's gift of life, warmth and light. It is a very powerful technique in developing gratitude towards the creative energy around and within us. If you manage to keep your awareness on this essence during practising Sun Salutation in the morning you will recharge your body, mind and spirit with the Sun's energy which will carry you through the day with ease. 
As we are moving into the cooler months of the year we may need some warming yoga practices. Sun Salutation gives you the opportunity to reconnect to your inner 'Sun' or light, the energy that keeps you going and governs everything within you. It stimulates all the chakras or energy centres in our bodies but especially the third Manipura chakra. This chakra is connected to everything that is fiery and energetic within us - creativity, inspiration, joy and enthusiasm. 
Sun Salutation can be practised on its own or followed by other yoga asanas. The best time for practise is in the morning but whenever you feel like it - do it! If you practise Sun Salutation on its on it is still nice to finish in Savasana on your back and take a moment to relax. 
Sun Salutation has a lot of benefits. Some of them are: 

• it is energising and strengthening 
• improves blood flow
• stretches most joints
• improves posture
• lower body fat
• improves digestion
• stimulates thyroid
• boost immunity
• improves sleep
• improves memory and concentration
• improves mood
• removes lethargy. 

The practise is not suitable if you have high blood pressure and other heart problems, spine injury or other back problems and care needs to be taken during pregnancy. 
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