Restorative Yoga Health Benefits

Copyright Lance Kinseth, The Infinite Reach, 48”x48, 2011

11/2014 NOTE:
While the information described in the post below in 2011 is significant, research since that time continues to expand the list of benefits, especially with regard to more subtle effects such as opening micro-vessels on blood vessels, enhancement of the vitality of nerves, and atomic changes in cells as a few extreme examples.  There are also bio-discoveries that might be impacted by activities such as the presence of olfactory cells in various parts of the body such as the skin and lungs and surprising effects such as the restorative aspects of sandalwood on skin (due to the presence of olfactory cells).  Overall, that which is described below is the tip of the iceberg of adaptive/restorative features of body-mind practices.  A search of research of brain scans and teh effect of body-mind practice and complex chemicals provoked by body-mind practice {and stress chemical that area reduced) are two examples of areas that can be searched.   While the list of benefits continues to expand, there should always be a caveat to be self-critical and realistic rather than completely buy into such practices as a panacea for everything.

4/2011: FROM A WESTERN perspective, selected measurable aspects of restorative with yin yoga practice [that also apply to other body-mind practices such as qigong and tai chi] include the following potential changes/transformations:

Basic To All Exercise:

·      Exercise as energizer [activity can boost energy level],

·      Build strength and endurance,

·      Help keep weight in balance,

·      Improve mood, self-esteem, and body image, and

·      Living healthier, longer.

 Physiological/Psychological Benefits of Restorative Yoga: THE FOLLOWING IS A STRONG SAMPLE RATHER THAN A COMPREHENSIVE LIST:

·      Can lower blood pressure [reduce fluid retention—dilation of blood vessels, stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) that balances the sympathetic nervous system by lowering blood pressure and heart rate],

·      reduce brain arousal [altered neuro-chemistry/brainwave: altered beta, slight increase in alpha],

·      carryover lower BP and HR and lower reactivity to stress into everyday life after repeated practice,

·      slight heart rate increase [from gentle movement],

·      non-distressing posture and open joints,

·      alter respiration: increased oxy-hemoglobin levels,

·      reduce serum triglycerides and blood sugar levels/ increase “good” cholesterol,

·      alternatively stimulate and sooth organs by compression and expansion,

·      stimulate flow of the lymphatic system [along with most activities, but with specific focus in yoga poses] that relies on movement of muscles and breath,

·      improve digestion/elimination,

·      reduce muscle tension/insomnia/generalized fatigue,

·      stress reduction, which has physiological components such as decreasing the production of “stress hormones” [produced by the Sympathetic Nervous System for functional flight-fight response in authentically threatening situations] by stimulating the PNS—the “relaxation command center”—as well as psychological components,

·      foster relaxation/calmness/“quiet state” process

·      improved attention/focus,

·      foster rest/recovery/restoration,

·      emphasize self-directed [autogenic] physio-psychological change,

·      non-distressing posture and gently exercises joints and organs,

·      contribute to increased bone density [as grounded exercise],

·      oxidize/energize/detoxify [CO2 expiration] tissue throughout the body—increase oxy-hemoglobin levels through deeper “softer” breath,

·      improve mobility and balance,

·      an exercise complement to diet,

·      adaptable to most people due to low intensity.

·      other small studies of qigong/yoga/tai chi that are not explicitly established suggest:

o      The possibility of improved immunology [antibodies against viral infection],

o      Reduced depression/anxiety,

o      [general yoga] protecting heart by activating nerves that can decrease arterial stiffness,

o      Reduced serum triglycerides and blood sugar levels/ increase “good” cholesterol [lower level of LDLs—20-26 mg when practiced for 12-14 weeks,

o      Better control over blood glucose levels [perhaps through practice as a regular activity that supports better self-monitoring of glucose levels as diet],

o      Pain reduction [Recent study of tai chi for fibromyalgia: eased painful joints (especially tender points in joints0, reduced degree of fatigue]

o      Improve digestion/elimination,

o      Reduce muscle tension and insomnia and generalized fatigue, and

o      Integration of right-left hemispheres;

·      Current NIH studies of potential benefits of restorative yoga: to reduce hot flashes in menopausal women, reduce metabolic syndrome, reduce anxiety during drug rehabilitation, and benefits for women in treatment with breast cancer.

S. C Danhauer (2009) looked at restorative yoga for women with breast cancer:  The sample involved 44 women with a mean age of 55.8 years.  Thirty-four percent were actively undergoing medical treatment. There was a waitlist control group.  Both were give pre- and post-tests.  The restorative sessions were for 10 weeks for 75 minutes each class.  Improvements were noted in overall mental health, less depression, increased positive affect, “spirituality” [as measured by reports of “peace, meaning,” and lessened fatigue. 

Other NIH studies looking at yoga and breast cancer reports similar improvements, along with decreased emotional irritability,

Decreased gastrointestinal symptoms, decreased confusion/ cognitive disorganization, decreased mod disturbance, a decreased sense of “tension,” and self-reports of improved physical fitness.  However, an evidenced-based review of ten studies in 2009 by K. B. Smith argues for the need to examine both what components of yoga are most helpful rather than general yoga that varied across the studies and what type of patients received the greatest benefit.  In the ten reviewed studies, most of the participants were women and the most common diagnosis was cancer.  In a report on yoga published in VA Research Currents [Veterans Administration], there is a suggestion that participants who completed more sessions had a better outcome, but that few studies have been done with multi-problem participants.      

Psycho-Spiritual Benefits of Restorative Yoga [Participant self-reports of]:

·      opening or clarity and subsequent expansion of one’s experience resulting from calm awareness,

·      emotions present themselves in awareness,

·      experience of “grounding” and “balancing,”

·      de-prioritize experiences that may have become artificially dominant,

·      increased “vividness” and awareness in daily sensory life, and

·      experience of inclusion and meaningfulness: connection with all experiences and increased appreciation of experiences heretofore overlooked.

Eastern [Non-Western] Benefits of Restorative Yoga:

From an Eastern healing perspective, restorative-yin yoga is primarily associated with less measurable movement of qi around and within the body along meridians, stimulation of chakras as well as organs, and with organs, in turn, stimulating mental states such as compassion.  

While relaxing body tissue from a Western perspective, relaxing tissue is also considered essential from an Eastern perspective to open “energy channels.”  Measurable aspects such as the flow of blood, fluids of the lymphatic system, the gentle stimulation of the nervous system are secondary measures of the flow of a variety of “energy” channels. 

The impact of many forces on body process is not well described.  The Eastern sense of energies such as Yogic prana and Asian qi/chi might be considered to be metaphors for a sense of processes that are not measurable in Western science but  that Western perspectives might acknowledge as possible.  The body is inseparable from physiological processes and physical processes such as a diverse array of solar energies, a diversity of materials in each breath, magnetism, gravitation, planetary rotation and orbit as well as movement of the sun and the rotation and direct line movement of the Milky Way galaxy at perhaps 1.2 million mph.  Further, each human cell may contain 10 16 atoms, with the proton in each atom moving at perhaps 150 million mph, and the potential energy of an atom is well-documented.   

As with more active yoga poses, restorative poses offer a process of acupressure that redistribute fluids perhaps settled in body tissue and joints.

CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR RESTORATIVE-YIN YOGA: 

Due to the postures being less physically stressful, the contraindications for restorative yoga practice are reduced.  Restorative yoga may be helpful in addressing bio-medical issues because it is low-impact in nature, involves micro-movement and uses support, allows attention to calming breath that may stimulate physiological reaction.

Participants with chronic as well as acute diagnosis-in-treatment, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, back conditions, cancer, anxiety disorders, addictions, diabetes, etc. are strong candidates for restorative yoga [with a guarded practice of yin yoga components].  Medical recommendations for people with back conditions that are symptomatic may order a period of complete rest.  However, recommendations may also include careful activity to prevent weakening of strength.  In fact, medical and psychological treatment recommendations typically encourage engaging in appropriate physical activity as an adjunct to treatment rather than avoiding physical activity.  Restorative yoga offers a gentle, gentle yoga as a way into physical activity, as well as an ongoing, regular practice to both maintain and progress in terms of physical and mental health.  The slow, careful, gently-active movement of the practice is also helpful, along with not overdoing one’s poses, and being self-aware of any points that seem to be weight-bearing and to carefully to avoid weight-bearing poses. 

More general concerns such as irregular heartbeat, chest pain, leg pain, difficulty breathing, bone disease, or very low blood counts or anemia are examples of concerns that should be medically addressed before continuing exercise in general.  Restorative yoga practice should be avoided when heart conditions such as heart rate and blood pressure are not stabilized, not under control through medical supervision.

Lower back injury, spinal deformity, severe osteoporosis, some osteoarthritis, herniated disc (physical therapy vs. yoga), sciatica [compression of the sciatic nerve resulting pain or weakness or numbness in the legs], spinal stenosis [narrowing of lumbar or cervical spinal regions causing numbness and weakness] and extremely high blood pressure [e.g., in inverted positions or poses that lower the head below the heart] need to be considered as possible but not automatic contraindications for this practice that should be medically cleared before engaging in practice.  In the case of degenerative bone disease, no pressure should be placed on the spine.  Spasms may be workable but sharp pains are not, and any regular spasms should be medically evaluated.  In less severe cases, the use of props for support may address concerns and contribute to strengthening the lower back and hips. 

Inversion poses used in restorative yoga such as “Legs On Wall” should be avoided or time-limited for conditions such as hiatus hernia, eye or ear infections, glaucoma, migraines, heart problems, or menstruation.  Inversion poses, as well as other poses, should be either avoided or closely assessed after three months pregnancy.

Psychologically, the longer time spent in poses along with inducing a state of relaxation may provoke emotional stress.  Also, the largely seated or supine/reclining restorative poses may provoke a sense of exposure that triggers a feeling of vulnerability.  Generally, the increased time and openness of postures may present some psychological discomfort because they are unfamiliar activities.  With repetition, the increased time and openness of postures can become a psychological asset.  Repeated restorative practice can “train” the body to reduce reactivity as well as enhance a person’s capacity to access relaxation and to de-stress.

While likely to be a rare occurrence, an active state of chronic anxiety or psychosis might be stimulated by either the time opened by “doing nothing” or by stimulating deep body tissue that may be associated with emotional trauma.  Where a sense of vulnerability is a mild issue, participants can be encouraged to use blankets for cover.  The slight overall pressure that results from covering the body may reduce stimulation and positively deepen a sense of relaxation.