The Whys? Restorative Yoga Who doesn’t love a power vinyasa yoga class? I do myself, so many benefits! Having said that, we all know this world is a very stress inducing place. You may not be sleeping well, have injuries, processing emotion milestones, feeling anxiety, transitioning into a new situation….
ENTER RESTORATIVE YOGA
For those unacquainted with this practice, Restorative Yoga involves utilizing bolsters, blankets, pillows, straps, and blocks to provide support for our bodies as we assume various poses. By remaining in these positions for extended durations, we can redirect our focus towards our breath and activate our parasympathetic nervous system. Consider it a gateway to meditation, offering a gentle and accessible path towards tranquility.
In contrast to a dynamic Vinyasa class, Restorative Yoga does not present physical challenges that divert our attention from our thoughts. Embracing the rest and digest mode, which hinges upon the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system, or more simply put, our capacity to unwind, holds the key. Restorative Yoga = Longevity, Stress Relief, Self Care, Deep Relaxation, Better Sleep, Injury Recovery, Emotional Healing and Integration, Improved Immune Function, Mindfulness, Increased Flexibility, Nervous System Restoration, Balance, and Rejuvenation
Published by Melissa Abbott Yoga & Meditation Podcast
A lifelong meditator, learner and seeker, Melissa started her journey with a Hatha Yoga class in 1970 at age 17. Later after a stint in Art School and extensive travel, Melissa became a resident at Shree Muktananda Ashram in upstate NY studying Siddha Yoga meditation practices and is a disciple of Gurumayi Chidvilasananda and the Siddha Lineage Of Swami Muktananda and Bhagwan Nityananda. There she became acquainted with Shaiva Tantra Meditation from Kashmir, while studying with Dr. Paul Mueller Ortega, Dr.Douglas Brooks, Sally Kempton aka Swami Durgananda and many other teachers residing there at that time. Melissa also studied Tibetan Buddhist Practices of the Sakya Lineage with Luding Khenchen Rimpoche. Melissa has had a 40+ year meditation practice receiving many initiations and transmissions from many great contemporary teachers.
Currently, since 2017 Melissa has been studying with Christopher Wallis a Sanskrit Scholar Phd covering “The Recognition Sutras”, “Vijnana Bhairava”, “Spanda Karikas”, and “Tantraloka”. Melissa is an avid reader, studying with the scholarly works of Christopher Wallis PhD, Alexis Sanderson Phd.Oxford University , Christopher Tompkins PHd Candidate University Of CA Berkley, and James Mallinson from SOAS in London. A member of Academia.org, Melissa keeps up with the latest translations of historic Yogic Writings by contemporary scholars.
On the Hatha Yoga front, Melissa has studied Iyengar and Anusara Hatha Yoga in the 1990’s and later took her first hot yoga class 10 years ago with Suzanne Elliott in Merritt Island, FL, becoming a Raja Hot Core Hatha Yoga 500 hour Teacher in 2016 with Craig Villani. In 2017 she became a USA Yoga Coach and started judging video submissions in 2019. In 2018 Melissa studied with Jimmy Barkan Level 2 Hot Vinyasa Training in Ft Lauderdale and 2019 Adi Westerman’s Teaching 26/2 Plus Training. A member of the Original Hot Yoga Asso OHYA and a Hot Yoga Teacher at Steam House Hot Yoga & Pilates in Epping NH www.steamhousenh.com and Blue Yoga Group in Swampscott, MA. “Melissa Abbott Yoga and Meditation” has a weekly Visionary Tantric Yoga & Yoga Nidra Podcast available on Spotify, ITunes Podcasts, Podbean and YouTube.
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