Revive & Thrive: Restorative Movement for Mindful and Physical Wellness
Restorative Movement focuses on gentle exercises that promote joint strength, reduction in inflammation, joint stability, flexibility and relaxation. It aims to restore the body's natural alignment, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
Key Components of Restorative Movement
Self-Massage Techniques:
Self-massage is a fundamental aspect of restorative movement. Techniques like foam rolling, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release are commonly used to relieve muscle tension, improve blood circulation, and break down adhesions in soft tissues. These practices help in releasing muscle tightness and increasing range of motion, thereby enhancing movement efficiency and reducing pain.
Tools like massage rollers, massage balls, or even your hands can be used to apply pressure to specific areas, encouraging muscle relaxation and tissue recovery.
Stabilize and Strengthen Joints:
Restorative movement emphasizes joint stabilization and strengthening to prevent injuries and enhance functional movement. This involves exercises that target the muscles surrounding joints, such as the hips, knees, and shoulders, to improve joint alignment and stability.
For example, I may include exercises like bridge, side-plank clamshell, and shoulder stabilization exercises in the classes or 1 2 . These movements often incorporate isometric holds and controlled, small movements that focus on engaging stabilizing muscles.
Improve Functional Movement:
Functional movement refers to exercises that mimic real-life movements, enhancing the body's ability to perform everyday tasks efficiently and safely. Restorative movement focuses on improving functional movement patterns by increasing flexibility, balance, coordination, and strength in a way that is applicable to daily life.
Practices like yoga, Pilates, and certain physical therapy exercises are often used to retrain the body in proper movement patterns, addressing imbalances and promoting better posture and movement efficiency.
Stress Relief:
Restorative movement also plays a significant role in stress relief. The slow, mindful nature of the exercises promotes relaxation and helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s "rest and digest" state. This contrasts with the sympathetic nervous system, which is associated with the "fight or flight" response and can be overstimulated by stress.
Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and gentle stretching are often incorporated into restorative movement practices to help calm the mind, reduce cortisol levels, and alleviate stress.
Benefits of Restorative Movement
Injury Prevention and Recovery: By focusing on joint stabilization, flexibility, and muscle balance, restorative movement helps prevent injuries and aids in recovery from existing ones.
Improved Mobility and Flexibility: Gentle movements and stretching exercises increase joint range of motion and muscle flexibility.
Enhanced Mental Well-being: The meditative aspects of restorative movement help reduce anxiety, improve mood, and enhance overall mental health.
Better Posture and Alignment: Regular practice can correct postural imbalances, leading to better alignment and reduced pain.
Practical Applications
Incorporating restorative movement into a daily routine can be as simple as dedicating time for a gentle movement session, using a foam roller for self-massage, or practicing mindfulness during movement. Whether integrated into a broader fitness regime or used independently, restorative movement supports long-term health by promoting balance, recovery, and a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being.
Finally!
A little about me, I'm an experienced Sports Massage Therapist, clinically trained I can assess and often see imbalances in the body. I'm hypermobile in my shoulders, elbows, hips and knees and as we age this joint flexibility can bring its own issues with regards to chronic pain. Add a few dodgy disks in my neck and I have a good understanding of how gyms can be intimidating, yoga feels good initially but then the pain returns. My experience as a Sports Massage Therapist brings my experience of rehabilitation into the classes.
A recent review from a regular class attendee, who arrived taking considerable medication for a hip issue and recently had a joint replaced in her big toe.
'The best thing about the Restorative Movement class is how much better I feel after it than when I arrived. I always feel more balanced, lighter and freer. It has had so many health benefits for me over the past 3 years'. Link for review - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/6jX1WpZDF8L3HNbR/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Weekly classes are held in a private studio and are limited to 7 people. I have small restorative classes to have the time to offer personalized attention, allowing for tailored guidance and adjustments to meet individual needs.
Classes are held on a Monday night at 18.00 and 19.15, all equipment is provided by me.
Alternatively you can book a 1 2 1 session or share the cost with a partner or friend and book a 2 2 1 session.
Further questions please email me at info@completebalance.co.uk or book online at click the book now button.
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