Yoga for Grief: Gentle Restorative Practice
Yoga for Grief: Gentle Restorative Practice. Grief arrives quietly for some and crashes in like a storm for others. It may follow the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a change in health, or even a shift in identity. However it appears, it reshapes daily life. At YOGA COTSWOLD, I, NAZUNA YEO, hold space for those walking through sorrow. Through Yoga for Grief, we use a gentle restorative practice to support the body and soothe the heart.
While nothing can remove loss, the right practice can help you breathe again. Moreover, it can steady your nervous system, soften physical tension, and gradually restore trust in your body.
Understanding Grief in the Body
Grief does not live only in the mind. Instead, it settles in the chest, tightens the throat, and weighs heavily on the shoulders. Many people notice shallow breathing, fatigue, headaches, or digestive changes. Therefore, when we address grief, we must include the body.
Restorative yoga for grief focuses on slowing down. Unlike dynamic classes, this approach invites stillness. Each pose receives full support from bolsters, blankets, and blocks. As a result, the muscles relax, and the nervous system shifts from alertness to calm.
Furthermore, when the body feels safe, emotions can surface without overwhelm. This gentle method respects your pace. You never push or strive. Instead, you listen.
Why Choose a Gentle Restorative Practice?
In times of sorrow, strength often feels depleted. Therefore, vigorous movement may feel exhausting rather than helpful. A gentle restorative practice offers something different:
-
It supports rather than challenges.
-
It comforts rather than stimulates.
-
It restores rather than drains.
Additionally, this style of yoga encourages deep diaphragmatic breathing. Steady breath signals safety to the brain. Consequently, the heart rate slows and muscles soften. Over time, this repeated message of safety builds resilience.
At YOGA COTSWOLD, sessions remain small and calm. Soft lighting, warm blankets, and unhurried guidance create a nurturing space. I guide each student personally, ensuring every posture feels secure.
The Foundations of Yoga for Grief
1. Supported Rest
Rest forms the heart of Yoga for Grief. For example, in Supported Child’s Pose, bolsters hold the torso so the spine can release. Meanwhile, the forehead rests gently, calming the mind. This posture invites surrender without collapse.
2. Breath Awareness
Grief often shortens the breath. Therefore, we begin with simple awareness. You notice the inhale and exhale without altering them. Gradually, the breath deepens. As a result, oxygen increases, and mental clarity improves.
3. Compassionate Presence
Many people judge themselves for “not coping well enough”. However, yoga teaches non-judgement. We meet each sensation kindly. Through this compassionate presence, healing unfolds naturally.
4. Grounding Practices
Loss can feel disorientating. Consequently, grounding becomes essential. Gentle seated poses and supported forward folds help reconnect you with the earth beneath you.
A Simple Restorative Sequence for Grief
You may practise this sequence at home. Move slowly and allow at least five minutes in each posture.
Supported Child’s Pose
Place a bolster lengthways and fold forward over it. Rest your head to one side. Breathe steadily. This posture soothes the nervous system and gently stretches the back.
Reclined Bound Angle Pose
Lie back with cushions under your knees. Support your spine with a bolster. This heart-opening shape encourages emotional release. If tears arise, allow them.
Supported Forward Fold
Sit upright with a bolster across your legs and fold gently. This pose fosters introspection and calm.
Savasana with Blankets
Finally, lie flat and cover yourself warmly. Feel the ground supporting you. Stay for ten minutes. Let thoughts drift without engagement.
Because each pose receives support, your body can soften fully. Moreover, the stillness invites deeper reflection.
Related Post:
The Emotional Benefits of Restorative Yoga
Yoga for Grief nurtures emotional balance in several ways:
-
It reduces physical tension linked to stress.
-
It steadies erratic breathing.
-
It improves sleep quality.
-
It fosters emotional awareness without overwhelm.
Additionally, regular practice builds resilience. You begin to notice moments of calm between waves of sadness. While grief does not vanish, it becomes more spacious.
Importantly, restorative yoga does not suppress emotion. Instead, it creates a safe container. Therefore, you feel supported rather than exposed.
Creating a Safe Space at Home
Although attending classes at YOGA COTSWOLD offers community, home practice can also help. Choose a quiet corner. Dim the lights. Gather blankets and cushions. Silence devices.
Furthermore, allow yourself permission to rest. Grief often brings guilt about slowing down. However, rest serves healing. When you lie supported and breathe gently, you honour your experience.
The Role of Community
Grief can isolate. Consequently, shared practice carries profound value. Within a small group, you realise you are not alone. While stories differ, the underlying feelings resonate.
At YOGA COTSWOLD, classes encourage quiet connection rather than conversation. We practise side by side in respectful silence. Afterwards, tea offers gentle companionship. This balance of privacy and presence often feels comforting.
When to Seek Additional Support
Yoga supports healing; however, it does not replace counselling or medical care. If grief feels overwhelming or persistent, consider speaking with a qualified therapist. Combining professional guidance with restorative yoga for grief often deepens recovery.
Long-Term Healing Through Gentle Practice
Healing from loss unfolds gradually. Some days feel lighter, while others feel heavy. Nevertheless, steady practice builds inner steadiness. Breath by breath, you learn to remain present.
Over months, students often report improved sleep, clearer thinking, and greater emotional tolerance. They describe feeling “held” by the practice. That sense of support becomes internal. Eventually, you carry it into daily life.
As NAZUNA YEO, my intention remains simple: to guide you back to yourself. Through kindness, patience, and gentle restorative practice, you rediscover quiet strength.
Conclusion
Grief reshapes the landscape of life; however, it does not take away your ability to heal. Through Yoga for Grief, you create space to breathe, soften, and gradually rebuild inner steadiness. Rather than forcing change, a gentle restorative practice invites acceptance. In that acceptance, the body relaxes, the breath deepens, and the heart begins to feel supported again.
At YOGA COTSWOLD, NAZUNA YEO offers more than movement; she offers presence. With warmth, patience, and careful guidance, each session becomes a sanctuary where sorrow can exist without judgement. Over time, this steady practice nurtures resilience. Although grief may continue to ebb and flow, you gain tools to meet it with compassion.
Ultimately, healing does not mean forgetting. Instead, it means carrying love and loss with greater balance. Through consistent restorative yoga, you rediscover quiet strength — and from that place, gentle hope can return.
Social:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:share:7431589262896279552/
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/1114711345289867700
Comments
Post a Comment