Thursday, February 26, 2009

Leading a Restorative Class - Part 2

Offer a General Introduction to Restorative

Let students know:
  • Restorative should not hurt
  • Ask for help if you have discomfort
  • Use props to promote maximum ease
  • Expect that there might be emotional responses
  • Best clothing to wear – warm, cozy and stretchy
  • Contraindications
    • Degenerative bone disease: any pose that puts pressure on the spine
    • Pregnancy: modify poses after 3 months
    • No inversions: hiatal hernia, retinal problems, glaucoma, migraines, heart problems, neck problem, infection in the head, menstruation

Centering and Warm ups:
I lead a centering breath and then a few warm-ups like neck rolls, Sufi rolls, standing forward fold, etc – about 5-10 minutes before starting. It is important to let people move before they lay still – works out the jitters. Then I demonstrate the poses before we start.
Lesson plan coming up in Part 3.