In this Just One Restorative Posture video we will be exploring the Restorative Fish Posture. Depending how you set this posture up, this shape can have a fair bit of back extension.  Creating a broadening of the front of the ribcage (often referred to as a ‘heart opening’ posture in yoga).  Lifting the ribcage can bring attention to your breath, feeling the expansion and contraction of the lungs.  This shape also brings attention to the throat area – lengthening in the cervical spine.  This shape can offer a sense of uplift during relaxation. Precautions:

• Be mindful of how your back feels in this shape (pay particular attention to your lower back and your neck)

Equipment needed:

• Blankets (2 or 3)
• Blocks/Bricks
• Perhaps a cushion

In this Just 1 session Ashley will guide you into, through and out of a front lying savasana restorative posture.  Bringing your body into a prone position can draw the sensory organs of the eyes, ears  inward away from external stimulation, allowing a smoother transition away from the sympathetic system (of activity/fight/flight) towards the parasympathetic system (of rest/digest).  This posture can be supportive for the front of the spine (an often explored possibility for added support), creating the possibility of experiencing the spaciousness of the back of the body. Precautions:

• Not a posture to practise during pregnancy
• Not an ideal posture when you have a sinus headache or sinus congestion

Equipment needed:

• Bolster (or a stack of firm blankets or a firm cushion like a sofa cushion)
• Blankets (the more the merrier)
• Block or a book