Restorative yoga for those who want to relax

SF Chronicle recently published an article on the health benefits of yoga. It's a great read for those interested in restorative and gentle yoga.

Restorative yoga for those who want to relax

The sound of San Francisco rain on the skylight mixes with the music of Tibetan bowls inside the darkened studio.
Six students are lying under blankets in Savasana, "the corpse pose"- on their backs, palms up, with bolsters under their knees and tiny pillows covering their eyes. The instructor silently walks to each student and rubs lavender oil into his or her temples.
Although it looks like nap time for grown-ups, it's actually yoga - restorative yoga.
Also known as "active relaxation," this brand of yoga came to life in San Francisco during one of the most stressful decades on record, and classes like this one at Bernal Yoga are gaining popularity as people look for ways to quiet the body, and ultimately, the mind.
Restorative yoga works best for those who feel fatigued or ill, and is especially beneficial during major life events: breakup, death of a loved one, change of job or residence, marriage or major holiday, according to Yoga Journal founder Judith Lasater of San Francisco, who is credited with popularizing restorative yoga with her 1995 book, "Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times."

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