02/23/2026
I once attended a restorative yoga workshop simply because I was curious about what it was all about. During the session, we settled into a fully supported forward fold. After a few quiet minutes, something shifted — my shoulders softened and gently dropped. I remember thinking, How long have I been holding them up like that? How long had I been carrying tension in my body without even realizing there was another way?
So many of us move through life holding stress in our bodies without noticing it’s there. We get used to tight shoulders, busy thoughts, and constant motion. When I first began practicing yoga, I found Savasana surprisingly challenging. My mind would race, and being still felt unfamiliar. Slowing down isn’t always easy — especially when life is full, our schedules are busy, and we feel stressed, anxious, or simply exhausted.
That’s why I was drawn to restorative yoga. It offers something many of us rarely give ourselves: permission to pause. It’s a gentle and supportive practice designed to help you slow down, recharge, reflect, and reconnect — with your breath, your body, and yourself.
Restorative yoga is truly for everyone. You don’t need to be flexible. You don’t need experience. You simply need a willingness to rest.
Each restorative pose is intentionally designed to support the body in a way that allows deep release. Did you know that different poses can nourish specific organs and systems within the body? These gentle, supported shapes help soothe the nervous system, slow the heart rate and breath, and support digestion, circulation, hormonal balance, and overall well-being. When the body feels safe and supported, true healing and restoration can begin.
On March 13–15, I will be hosting a Restorative Yoga Training at PranaShanti Yoga Centre. This training is open to everyone — whether you are a yoga teacher wanting to confidently integrate restorative poses into your classes, or someone who simply wishes to learn how to deeply support yourself (or loved ones) in a variety of restorative postures.
Join me for a relaxing yet informative weekend of learning and practice. Together, we’ll explore how to restore the body, calm the mind, and soothe the soul.
If you’ve been craving rest, renewal, or a deeper understanding of the power of stillness, I warmly invite you to come and experience it for yourself.
www.annewandayoga.ca
www.pranashanti.com
PranaShanti Education Centre
PranaShanti Yoga Centre
