Yoga Journal's Yoga Practice for Relaxation [VHS]
You can't help but let stress slide away if you unwind with this video of restorative yoga poses that replenish your body's energy and rejuvenate your spirit. Restorative means you're notworkingyour body, but "undoing, allowing nature to restore you ...[and] the healing powers of yoga to reveal themselves to you," explains Patricia Walden, who teaches the first 30-minute session of resting poses. Your body is supported by props, such as folded blankets, a bolster, or a wall, so the stretches are not intense. The poses are taught slowly and quietly, with plenty of time to sink into each pose, open the joints, and relax the muscles. The second 30-minute session, taught by Rodney Yee, emphasizes forward bends, often sitting on the floor in various positions, with your forehead and arms resting on a chair for support. The instruction throughout the video is clear, complete, and patient. The whole experience is relaxing: with the instructors' soothing voices and the gentle music in the background, there's no rush to leave each pose.--Joan Price