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You Don't Have To Kill Yourself In The Gym Before CNY

Writer's picture: Sheela CheongSheela Cheong

Lunar New Year is a time for celebration, connection, and indulgence—but it can also leave you feeling drained from late nights, rich meals, and non-stop socialising. Restorative yoga offers the perfect antidote.



The Benefits of Restorative Yoga: Perfect for Pre- and Post-Lunar New Year


Restorative yoga is a soothing practice that promotes deep relaxation and healing, making it an ideal choice during the busy Lunar New Year season. With its focus on stillness and supported postures, it offers numerous benefits for both body and mind, helping you recharge and feel centred.


Supported savasana: The rolled up blanket under knees relieves lower back pain & muscle tension
Supported savasana: The rolled up blanket under knees relieves lower back pain & muscle tension

Benefits of Restorative Yoga


Stress Relief


The Lunar New Year can bring excitement but also physical and mental fatigue from celebrations, late nights, and social obligations. Restorative yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system (your “rest and digest” state), reducing cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and calming your mind. It helps you feel more balanced and ready to embrace or recover from the festivities.


Improved Digestion and Relaxation


Gentle poses in restorative yoga can improve circulation to the digestive organs, making it an excellent practice to alleviate bloating or sluggish digestion after festive meals. By relaxing the body, it also supports better recovery and overall well-being.



Weight Management


Scientific research by the National Institutes of Health highlights restorative yoga’s unique role in weight management.

In a 48-week study, participants practising restorative yoga lost nearly twice as much weight in the first six months as those who performed stretching exercises. Additionally, the restorative yoga group lost over 2.5 times the amount of subcutaneous fat (fat stored around the hips, thighs, and belly).

This effectiveness is linked to how restorative yoga reduces stress. Chronic stress and high cortisol levels contribute to fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area. By calming the nervous system and lowering cortisol, restorative yoga creates conditions that support sustainable weight loss.


Accessible and Gentle


If vigorous yoga styles or other forms of exercise feel overwhelming, restorative yoga provides a gentle alternative. The supported poses and slower pace make it ideal for all fitness levels, allowing you to relax deeply and feel safe in your body.



Why Restorative Yoga Is a Great Alternative to Intense Workouts


Many people turn to cardio, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or intense gym workouts to offset indulgent festive meals or prepare their bodies for Lunar New Year celebrations.


Their motivations often include burning calories, improving cardiovascular fitness, and maintaining their physique. While these are valid goals, such demanding exercises can exacerbate physical and mental stress, especially during a busy festive period.


Restorative yoga offers a scientifically supported alternative.


Unlike high-intensity workouts that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system (your “fight or flight” mode), restorative yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and recovery.


By lowering cortisol levels, it reduces the stress that contributes to fat storage and inflammation. Moreover, restorative yoga improves circulation, flexibility, and body awareness without placing additional strain on your joints or muscles, making it an ideal complement to—or substitute for—intense exercise routines.


One of my favourite restorative inversions: Using the Iyengar chair for lower back traction
One of my favourite restorative inversions: Using the Iyengar chair for lower back traction

Why Before and After Lunar New Year?


  • Before: Ground yourself and find calm amidst the busy preparations. A restorative yoga class helps you feel centred and energised to enjoy the celebrations fully.

  • After: Recover from the physical and mental demands of the festive period while rebalancing your energy and releasing tension.


Restorative yoga offers a chance to slow down and reconnect with yourself. Whether you’re preparing for or unwinding from the celebrations, it’s a practice that brings peace and renewal to your Lunar New Year experience.


Curious about what to expect in a restorative class? Click here.

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