Yoga Journal's: Yoga Practice for Relaxation

Rodney Yee, Patricia Walden
Year Released: 2000

Categories: Yoga


Restorative yoga utilizes various props to help the body attain deep states of relaxation. This video is divided in two sections: the first, supported backbends (40 minutes) is the most prop-intensive, using up to two yoga bolsters and various blankets, and the second, supported forward bends (36 minutes) uses only a chair and blankets.

Patricia Walden leads the first practice. She begins with a supported child's pose and then moves into supported backbend, reclined cross-legged pose, supported bridge, supported shoulderstand (aka legs-up-the-wall), and finally, relaxation pose both with and without the props. Each posture is held for several minutes: Patricia allows ample time to set up the props and encourages you to adjust your props as needed to order to achieve greater relaxation. Although using actual yoga props would probably be best, I substituted pillows for the bolsters and was able to make due. The second practice is led by Rodney Yee and begins with a series of seated warm-up movements: you flow from staff pose to cobblers pose to seated wide-legged pose and repeat this sequence several times. Using a chair, Rodney then guides you through several seated forward bends with your head resting on the chair, including wide-legged seated forward bend, head-to-knee pose, and seated forward bend. Next, he uses the chair to support the thighs in a supported plow pose; I especially liked this one, as I usually avoid this pose but enjoyed it here. As with the first segment, each posture is held several minutes, and the practice ends with relaxation pose.
Overall, I think this video delivers exactly what it promises, which is to provide a sequence of relaxing yoga postures. If you are interested in trying yoga mainly to foster relaxation, both this video and the accompanying props would be a worthwhile investment. I think that these practices would be appropriate for those new to yoga so long as they carefully follow the instructions; the video is also suitable for more advanced yogis looking for a restorative practice.

Instructor Comments:
Both Patricia and Rodney provide excellent voiceover cueing, and both have gentle, soothing voices which nicely match the soft background music.

Beth C (aka toaster)

10/12/2004