When I first started practicing yoga I was all about the “hot powerful flow” classes and nothing else. If I didn’t sweat buckets and push myself I didn’t feel it was worth my time. Sad. Sad because we owe ourselves more than that. Yoga has so much more to offer too! We really need to listen to our bodies and our intuition rather than society because at some point we will break. Constantly pushing and going is just not sustainable.
Why is that? Why do we often feel the need to push, push, push, go, go go?
Fortunately, that has changed for me and frankly now I am the polar opposite! I don’t know the last time I went to a hot power class. This past Sunday I attended a Restorative yoga and Reiki class and it was divine!
So for those that may not be as familiar with yoga – a hot power class is one that is usually …hot! And, it is full of constant movement, flow or vinyasa so it is a workout. Restorative yoga is definitely not easy, but it’s challenging in a different sense. Typically classes are room temp, maybe slightly above, and poses are held for 2-5 minutes using props to support you to help poses be more accessible and comfortable.
This class I recently attended while the restorative poses were held, the teacher played all sorts of instruments. Some of them, to name a few, were wind chimes, a gong, chakra tuning forks, singing bowls, and a Native American flute. It was beautiful! I left feeling so relaxed.
With everything going on, including our move, it was just what I needed. Rather than going to a class where I sweat, pushed, and left drained, I listened to myself that day. I attended this class, which was soothing and healing. Can’t we all use more of that?