Restorative Yoga & Fascia Release
Stress is known to trigger our fight or flight response, or even cause us to freeze. While these responses may have been adaptive for our hunter-gatherer ancestors, it can be harmful for your body today.
Emotional trauma or stressors can sometimes result in physical symptoms because the memory of the trauma is stored in the fascia. The fascia is a connective tissue made up of primarily collagen that forms a matrix throughout your body and helps to support overall structure, stabilize and to aid in movement. In fact, the fascia is the largest connective tissue system in the human body and tends to hold and trap stagnant emotions and energies. Fascia can harden and become dehydrated over time because of emotional trauma and the body's response to extreme stress. This can lead to symptoms such as headaches, back pain, neck pain, numbness and tingling and overall imbalance & dysfunction.
Recognizing stress patterns can be challenging, but stressors may present in any of the following ways:
Freezing and shutting down (emotionally, physically, spiritually)
Isolating
Dissociating (phone, TV, or external sources)
Disconnecting from self and others
Falling into old habits or patterns
Feeling closed off to others’ ideas and input
Failing to find solutions to repeated problems that arise
Reacting fast and stirring up emotions in those around me
No longer having fun and doing things you enjoy
Becoming overwhelmed by challenging situations
Perhaps you’ve felt like this too.
If so, who is the person you are when you are not stressed? Do you remember what that is like? Do you want to remember?
Restorative practices such as yin yoga, somatic exercises & fascial maneuvers can help slowly stretch and open up the fascia and other connective tissues through the use of gravity and time. Both practices compliment each other by reducing cortisol and stress levels, promoting increased circulation and lymphatic drainage, and helping to release tension and trapped emotions in the fascia. Opening up the fascia can bring not only a physical release, but also a spiritual and emotional release.
About the Course
This introductory trauma-informed Restorative Yoga & Fascia Release experience will include gentle stretching, breath work and fascial maneuvers in order to open up the fascia and release tension in the body. You can expect to experience a slow paced, accessible, and restorative class accompanied by the beautiful acoustics of the Roman Pavilion surrounded by the trees of Tower Grove Park.
Class will be held from 6:00-7:00pm on Mondays at Tower Grove Park at the Roman Pavilion & will include a brief introduction, intention setting, fascia release & breath work, yin yoga & yoga nidra meditation/silent reflection.
NOTE: Class may be canceled due to inclement weather.
Instructor
Sarah Banks is a trauma-informed holistic movement guide whose techniques center on reconnecting the mind, body & spirit as well as the rediscovery of self through different modes of holistic healing and maintaining a natural, balanced lifestyle. With a background in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis, her unique approach toward healing integrates the philosophies of both Western & Eastern Medicines and bridges the gap between science and spirituality. In 2015, she was in a near fatal car accident that left her with a metal rod implanted from hip to knee, screws in her elbow, scoliosis & a traumatic brain injury. In conjunction with another trauma in 2020, these stressors left her with C-PTSD and a debilitating chronic illness. As conventional medicine didn’t bring her the answers she needed, she decided to heal her mind, body & spirit naturally. Today, she is walking again and actively healing every day. She desires to share the techniques she learned along her healing journey in hope that they may inspire others on their path.
Find Sarah on Instagram @sarahbankz for class updates/information, lunar workshops, crystals, candles & more!
Further details:
All levels welcome (beginner friendly)
Please wear comfortable clothing and be sure to bring a yoga mat, notebook/pen and blanket if weather requires. You will be mostly on the ground for the duration of the session.
Recommended reading: Fascial Release for Structural Balance by Thomas Myers and The Body Keeps Score by Bessel van der Kolk
A suggested donation of $10 per session is welcome.