Relax Already

A new kind of yoga, Restorassage gets you deeper into poses by adding a touch of massage

By Alanna Fincke

Check out Sports Illustrated Women's September issue, on newsstands now.

Carrie Prophett

Halfway through a Restorassage class at New York City's Be Yoga, the low-grade headache that I've had for the last two days finally disappears, and my shoulders melt away from my ears. Restorassage is a new style of restorative -- or gentle -- yoga taught by trained yoga instructors who are also licensed massage therapists. As I relax into a series of poses, supported by blocks, blankets and bolsters, my teacher, Raven, guides me deeper with hands-on bodywork: massaging my neck and shoulders with lavender-scented lotion and applying soft pressure to my hips and lower back to release tension. "It's better than massage," says Be Yoga co-owner and Restorassage creator Beverley Murphy. "You're stretching and being massaged at the same time."

Restorassage classes, offered three times a week, average up to 15 students. In 60-75 minutes, the instructor, who has two assistants, leads the class through about six poses, holding each one for seven to 10 minutes. "Holding a pose for a long time is difficult at first," says Raven, one of two Restorassage teachers at the center, "but it allows the relaxation response to kick in." This reduces the activity of your autonomic nervous system (the fight or flight response), allowing your body to recharge mentally and physically.

We end class in Savasana, or corpse pose (lying flat on the mat on your back), with lavender-scented pillows over our eyes and bolsters under our knees. I come back to reality feeling renewed -- and I can't believe that this kind of luxury costs only $20, the price of a regular yoga class. "It's a great way to stretch deeply and release tension," says Murphy. "The ability to surrender to the poses also requires willpower and improves focus, which can improve performance for athletes or anyone else." For more information call 212-935-9642, or visit www.beyoga.com.

Check out Sports Illustrated Women's September issue, on newsstands now.