The word ‘yoga’ comes from Sanskrit, the scriptural language of ancient India, and means “to yoke” or “to unite.” Dating back to 2000 to 4000 B.C.E., yoga practices are designed to help the individual experience wholeness. Ancient yoga texts present teachings that address the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions of the practitioner. The physical aspects of yoga – poses (asana) and breathing techniques (pranayama) – are currently the most popular in the West.

Restorative Yoga, coming from the venerable and well-renowned BKS Iyengar school of yoga, is the yoga of profound physical, mental and emotional relaxation. When the body is deeply relaxed, the mind relaxes too. You will be guided into hypnosis and meditation while your body is relaxing in a completely supported posture, reclining in a cushioned chair in the anti-gravity, or weightless position. You may be familiar with images of astronauts like this. It is also the position that the body floats if you were to swim in the Great Salt Lake or the Dead Sea where it’s so salty you can’t sink. It takes all the pressure off the low back and even those unable to lie flat on their backs find it very comfortable and pleasurable to remain in.