What is Restorative Yoga?

At Yoga Muse, one of our most-loved offerings is Rest & Reflect, our restorative yoga class. New students often have similar questions: What’s the difference between restorative and yin yoga? Can I practice restorative yoga if I have an injury? And why do we use so many props?!

The best way to understand restorative yoga is truly to experience it. Still, it makes sense to want clarity (and reassurance) before stepping onto your mat—especially if you’re navigating injury, stress, or simply new terrain in your practice. So, let’s explore!

Why We Use Props in Restorative Yoga

In the mid-20th century, B.K.S. Iyengar developed Iyengar Yoga, a method known for its precision, attention to alignment, and the innovative use of props: blocks, straps, blankets, chairs, and more. The idea is that the props help students safely access postures. Iyengar Yoga itself is not restorative, but it set the stage for restorative yoga to emerge.

One of Iyengar’s longtime students, Judith Hanson Lasater, a physical therapist by training, was instrumental in developing what we now know as Restorative Yoga. After managing her own arthritis symptoms with yoga, she expanded Iyengar’s use of props beyond alignment and into deep support: using blankets, bolsters, and other tools to cradle the body so completely that the nervous system can shift toward true rest.

In a restorative class, you’ll likely encounter an assortment of props—blankets, eye pillows, straps, blocks, bolsters, and sometimes more! These props are placed around your body to support proper alignment without effort. If a prop is uncomfortable or creating tension, it likely needs adjusting; comfort is the foundation of restorative practice.

While it may take a few minutes to settle in, restorative postures are often held for much longer durations—sometimes up to 20 minutes—so that muscles, joints, and the nervous system have time to release.

Can I Practice Restorative Yoga with Injuries?

The answer depends on the nature of the injury and your healthcare provider’s guidance, but restorative yoga is generally one of the most accessible and gentle styles of yoga.

Many students with inflammation, tendonitis, chronic tension, or fatigue find restorative yoga soothing and supportive. Because it activates the parasympathetic nervous system—our “rest and digest” mode—it can be grounding for those experiencing stress or anxiety.

That said, every body and every injury is different. It’s important to make decisions in partnership with your healthcare providers and to let your instructor know about any limitations so your setup can be tailored to your needs.

What’s the Difference Between Yin and Restorative Yoga?

This is one of the most common questions we hear, and understandably so—some classes blend elements of both. But the intentions behind the practices are quite different.

Yin Yoga

• Targets deep connective tissues around the joints

• Muscles remain cool so the stretch reaches ligaments, fascia, and joint capsules

• Postures are held for several minutes, often creating a meaningful (sometimes intense) sensation

• The goal is typically increased mobility and improved joint health

Restorative Yoga

• Aims for no sensation beyond comfort

• Props support the body so completely that effort, stretch, or “work” dissolves

• Encourages a meditative, parasympathetic state where the nervous system can replenish

• Focuses on rest, breath, and gentle repositioning of the body

At Yoga Muse, we mark our yin classes with two spicy peppers, and our restorative class has no spice peppers, which is how we demonstrate the intensity difference.

So… What is Restorative Yoga?

Restorative yoga supports the body with props and gentle shapes so it can realign, release, and deeply relax. Through breathwork and a calming atmosphere, we create space for the mind to quiet and the nervous system to reset.

A typical class includes only 4–6 postures, giving students time to fully unwind. Many leave feeling as if they’ve hit a natural reset button—hence the name restorative.

Ready to try Restorative Yoga?

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