Stretch and Restore

Elle Potter

Stretch and Restore

Level
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
Style Restorative
Duration 60 mins

When the body encounters stress, whether physical or emotional, it activates the Sympathetic Nervous System, or the “Flight or Fight” response. By practicing the art of letting go through deep hip openers and stretching and releasing the hip flexors, it calms and soothes the Parasympathetic Nervous System, or the “Rest and Digest” response. The result is a big dose of feel-good hormones in the blood stream and that coveted “yoga high” after practice. Practice begins with a little heat-building to juice up the muscles before stretching deep (which doesn’t mean you have to be flexible!), then ends with a couple yummy restorative poses. Props needed: Two blocks and a bolster. Also recommended is an eye pillow or towel to cover the eyes during Savasana (Corpse Pose).

Elle Potter began her yoga teaching adventure in 2005, and has since studied and practiced predominately Vinyasa, Anusara and Restorative. From diving into yoga philosophy to geeking out about anatomy and alignment, Elle appreciates all elements of the practice. Believing the most influential teacher a student can ever have is his or her own Self, Elle empowers and inspires students to delve deep, ask questions and laugh when they fall. She is currently Lead Teacher at Yoga Six (link to www.yogasix.com) in St. Louis. Follow Elle’s adventures on www.thisomazinglife.com.

Focus poses Butterfly / Baddha KonasanaForward Fold / UttanasanaWide Legged Forward Fold / Prasarita Padottanasana
Muscles & joints Groin, Hip Flexors, Hips