Jillian reminded us that as we proceeded on our final day, to not worry so much about memorizing poses or sequence of poses but rather she wanted us to know her thought process behind a pose, behind a sequence. For instance, always prop someone so that they are in tadasana, mountain pose (that is: head in line with spine; armbones in the back plane of the body; femurs back...) Knowing that you are always looking for tadasana, will tell you how to prop someone's head, shoulders, under knees, etc. Jillian says that in Restorative 80% of it is observation and 20% is communicating with the student and making sure they are okay. So to sharpen your skill of observation, as that will tell you what someone needs.

One note that I found fascinating to remember is that in Restorative we are not going after sensation but rather after a release. So someone who is really open in say supta baddha konasana pose would not like initially two bolster supporting their knees cause they will feel that they are not getting a stretch, but after 20 minutes in a pose if the body is not supported it will start to engage as a way of protecting itself. And in this instance, the groins probably will start to poke forward. So to remind the students that this yoga is not about sensation but rather about relaxation. Being held and swaddled. 

We then worked with partners, one being a student, the other being a teacher. Then we switched and we would give each other loving feedback. Jillian is so inventive and playful in her coming up with ways to help someone release: for instance, placing eyebags on people's upturned palms in savasana, so sweet. Try it! Or placing an eyebag on the forehead as opposed to the eyes. Things like that were so useful. To see my teacher be infinitely playful in her quest for helping others totally melt unto the earth is such an inspiration. Not everyone teaches like this, she told us. Iyengar style for instance is more interested -in some poses- in getting more of a sensation, and in some poses there will be muscular engagement. And there is a place for that, and I've taken classes like that and they are delicious. Yet her style, which I subscribe to, is so sweet because we are going after a complete letting go of the body so that it can expand!

She remind us all to start teaching this, even those who are not teaching in a studio. Find a friend, find a family member and start sharing. You learn by practicing with someone, they become your teachers.

There was much more. She will be back next year and I will post the dates and times again. Restorative yoga is so interesting is so challenging. I hope people give it a chance. It is another way we have to relate to the vast spaciousness inside of us and be with it.

Have a great weekend everyone! And stay warm.