Restorative yoga is the art of supported stillness — and teaching it well requires a completely different skill set than leading a vinyasa flow. Fewer poses, longer holds, more props, and a whole lot of intentional space-holding. Here’s how to do it beautifully.

What Makes Restorative Different

In restorative yoga, every pose is passive and fully supported by props. Students aren’t stretching or strengthening — they’re receiving. The goal is to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (your “rest and digest” response) by removing all muscular effort. Think of it as giving your students’ nervous systems permission to completely let go.

This is why restorative feels so different from other styles. It’s not about doing. It’s about undoing.

Essential Props You’ll Need

You can’t teach restorative without props — full stop. At minimum, each student needs:

2 bolsters (rectangular preferred)
2-3 blankets
1-2 blocks
1 strap
1 eye pillow

If you’re teaching at a studio with limited props, get creative with folded blankets as bolster substitutes. But do advocate for proper equipment — it makes a real difference. 😊

Key Poses to Master

A solid restorative class can be built from just 5-6 poses:

Supported Child’s Pose — bolster between thighs, arms draping alongside
Supported Bridge — block under sacrum, legs extended or soles of feet together
Supported Reclined Twist — bolster along one side, gentle spinal rotation
Legs Up the Wall — with bolster under hips (the crowd favorite)
Supported Savasana — bolster under knees, blankets, eye pillow
Supported Fish — bolster along the spine, heart opener

That’s it. Seriously. You don’t need 20 poses. You need 5-6 done exquisitely well.

Pacing: Slow Way Down

This is where new restorative teachers struggle most. Each pose should be held for 5-15 minutes. A 60-minute class might include only 4-5 poses plus Savasana. A 75-minute class, maybe 5-6.

The silence between your cues is where the magic happens. Resist the urge to fill every moment with instruction. Once your students are settled, let them be.

Creating the Right Atmosphere

Dim the lights. Warm the room slightly. Play soft, ambient music (or no music at all). Speak in a lower, slower register than you normally would. Your voice is a prop too — use it to soothe, not stimulate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too many poses: If you’re fitting in 8+ poses, you’re rushing. Cut the number in half. Not enough prop adjustments: Walk around and gently offer adjustments — a blanket under the head, a slight shift of the bolster. These micro-adjustments are everything. Talking too much: Guide them in, then trust the silence.

Ready to deepen your teaching skills? Our 200-hour training covers restorative foundations, and the Uplifted membership gives you access to hundreds of class recordings across every style — including restorative.

Restorative yoga is a gift. In a world that’s constantly asking us to do more, you’re offering people a space to do absolutely nothing — and that’s profound. ✨