By Penny Lucas
Grief Counselling and Restorative Yoga
Yoga for Grief
My work as both a grief counsellor and a restorative yoga teacher actually have a distinct connection.
Restorative Yoga as a standalone practice was born from grief.
Originally Restorative Yoga practice was a part of the Iyengar Yoga sequence, it was tacked on to the end of the months practice, only if there was time.
One of the earliest proponents of yoga in the west, particularly America, was Judith Lasater who was a devoted Iyengar yogi and teacher with a strong personal practice for many years before her twin brother died in 1992. After his death she could not manage to do her active asana yoga practice as she had before and all she felt able to do was restorative practice.
This gentle, calming practice supported her through the early stages of grieving for her sibling. From this experience Judith recognised the power of restorative practices to help manage anguish and stress; and Restorative Yoga as a stand-alone practice was born.
Judith has continued to develop and train both teachers and students in the benefits of restorative practice. She defines Restorative Yoga as ‘the use of props to create positions of ease and comfort that facilitate relaxation and health’.
It is no surprise to me really that a practice that routinely wraps you in a blanket may feel like a salve to the deep pain of a significant loss.
So perhaps if you have experienced a loss, change, or life transition you may have noticed that practices or exercise you used to do are no longer appealing or possible. Perhaps Restorative Yoga could also be helpful for you. Or perhaps not, we know that for some people quiet stillness can be confronting when life is feeling overwhelming, perhaps running or weightlifting is what you need instead.
We know that grief journeys are not all the same. The key is being open to exploring what you might need, and what feels supportive and remembering not to force things that used to work well but don’t anymore.
One of my suggested Restorative Yoga poses for grief is supported Supta Badha Konasana with the arms wrapped. This pose uses many props (4 bolsters, 4 blankets, 2 blocks and more) to create a sense of being held.
Given that the experience of loss can disrupt our sense of safety in the world a pose that provides a sense of comfort, support, and safety, even if only for a short time may be of great benefit.
If you would like to discuss exploring Restorative Yoga or /and Grief Counselling with Penny book a Discovery Call.
Written by Penny Lucas
Penny works with people experiencing overwhelm, stress, burnout, grief, anxiety and relationship difficulties. She is also experienced in working with the impact of trauma, and brings a steady and calm energy to client meetings.
Click here to learn more about Penny.
