Medical Edge: Restorative Yoga

CINCINNATI (Liz Bonis) -- Feeling a little stressed and overwhelmed these days? Maybe it's time to restore your spirit! Local 12 got to check out a unique program at the Mercy Healthplex in Anderson said to do just that. Step into the room and people can feel the stress seep away and that was why Katie Woodring said she showed up for it time and time again. Woodring said, I always say that yoga for me is, it feels like I am doing a massage; different muscles, working them and having them release. It's called restorative yoga and Mary Geibel has been teaching it since her mom taught it to her, The restorative part is just to use the breath to relax, to be okay with where you are, said Geibel. Being okay with where you are can be a bit challenging in the midst of a busy day. Thats exactly the point of the program, We run, we go, we stress, we move forward. We do everything everyday we are always trying to do the next thing. This is a step back, Geibel told Local 12. And when people take a step back they find out it can be difficult to be still. So restorative yoga is a practice of being still. It starts with steps that force that stillness which is what the mind body practice is all about to help people focus more. But it's really the second part of the class that makes it unique and restorative. The poses are held for just a little bit longer, sort of restoring the body and the body's own energy. The point of restorative yoga is to heal the body, to come to a place of stillness, to basically heal the body from everything that we do every day, said Geibel. Participant Toni Williams said, Its also just knowing how to disengage at times. There are some times you just need to change your position. And when people change their position they change their outlook; people often look up and notice which Woodring said really does restore the spirit. Follow Liz Bonis on Twitter @lbonis1, and LIKE her on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @Local12 and LIKE us on Facebook for updates!