Active Rest Yoga – Midlothian, VA

In this 75 minute class, we will utilize gentle, mindful movement with relaxation techniques to help the body recover, relieve stress, and improve flexibility. The goal is to gain awareness of the body to promote relaxation and a sense of ease. We will emphasize the balance between activity and rest, so that we can recharge while maintaining a sense of flow and engagement.

Our Active Rest Yoga Will Include:

1. Gentle Flows: Includes slow, controlled sequences like cat tuck and tilt, gentle sun salutations, or simple side stretches to keep the body moving and circulation flowing.
2. Restorative Poses: Incorporates poses held for longer periods, such as child’s pose, reclined twist, or legs at the wall, which promote deep relaxation and recovery.
3. Breathwork (Pranayama): Breathing techniques like deep diaphragmatic breathing or alternate nostril breathing to calm the nervous system.
4. Mindfulness and Meditation: Often includes guided meditations or mindfulness exercises to enhance mental clarity and reduce stress.
5. Focus on Alignment and Awareness: Prioritizes safe movement and encourages participants to listen to their bodies, making it accessible to all fitness levels and body types.

Benefits of Active Rest Yoga:

• Promotes body awareness and relaxation.
• Improves flexibility and mobility.
• Reduces stress and promotes mental clarity.
• Supports better sleep through relaxation.
• Helps in injury prevention by increasing body awareness.
• Enhances recovery after intense workouts or long periods of physical

About your instructor: Allison Thomas is a Resident in Counseling at Health in Mind. She began practicing yoga in 2005 and discovered the freedom that it could bring to her body. She completed 500 hours of yoga teacher training where she enriched her understanding of the body through movement. Allison’s goal in every yoga class is to make an understanding of the body accessible to soothe the body and calm the mind. In turn, helping you create a path to ease, contentment, acceptance, and freedom.