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Learn to teach supported rest
Restorative yoga teacher training
A bolster in the right place can change the experience of a pose. Learn what to look for in training that teaches careful setup, observation and unhurried guidance.
Learn to notice the small details of support.
- Focus
- Supported poses and rest
- Before joining
- Check the teaching experience expected
- Look for
- Hands-on setup and feedback
The starting point
The setup is part of the teaching.
Restorative yoga uses props to support the body in gentle positions for rest. Teaching it involves preparing the space, arranging supports and helping students find a position they can settle into.
Courses differ in their approach and certificate requirements. The Restorative Yoga Teachers Directory describes the Relax and Renew route and designated teachers. Treat that as one named training route, rather than a rule for every provider.
Bring your experience and your questions.
Check whether the course expects a foundation yoga qualification or earlier teaching. If you want to join for your own practice, ask whether that is welcome and whether the same assessments apply.
Experience of Restorative classes can help you bring specific questions. Notice how teachers arrange the room, explain props and respond when a setup does not suit someone.
Inside the training
Look closely at the practical work.
Props, access and student choice deserve time in the timetable.
Arrange the supports
Work with props and different setup options.
Check comfort
Learn to observe and ask without making assumptions.
Prepare the room
Plan space, access and enough equipment.
Guide without rushing
Practise explanations and changes of position.
Read the Restorative training checklist
Ask how much time you will spend arranging blankets, bolsters and blocks. You need practice seeing a setup from a student’s point of view, not only watching a demonstration.
Find out how teachers check comfort and offer changes without assuming that stillness means someone is comfortable. Consent matters when offering hands-on help or adjusting a prop.
Look for supported poses, ways to adapt them and a clear explanation of class planning. You should learn how to enter and leave positions as well as how to stay in them.
Room setup matters too. Ask how the course addresses space, access, temperature, sound and the amount of equipment needed for a group.
Training should leave room for individual preference. Rest can look different for different people. Check how you learn to offer alternatives without making anyone feel they are doing the practice incorrectly.
Plan your study
Time, format and fees.
Check the timetable, full costs and help available from teachers.
Questions to ask a school ↓Can you practise the setups properly?
For in-person training, ask how much time you spend working with other students and receiving feedback. Check whether props are supplied.
For online study, request an equipment list before booking. Find out whether a trainer can see and comment on the setups you create. A small screen can make details harder to judge.
What equipment and fees are involved?
Include required props in your budget. Check which materials and assessments are included, and whether you need to submit work after the taught course.
If certification or directory membership is offered, ask about any separate process and fees. Read the refund and postponement terms before committing.
Build a class you can support well
Start with enough time and equipment to offer each student attention. Practise setting up and clearing away so the room feels considered rather than rushed.
Keep a record of the alternatives you learn. Seek feedback when a setup is difficult to explain or adapt. You do not need a large collection of poses to keep learning.
Your training and certificate
Know what is needed to finish.
A course may award an attendance certificate or require further work for certification. Ask which applies and who reviews your work.
For a named method such as Relax and Renew, check the provider’s current requirements. A specialist certificate should not be treated as a healthcare qualification or a guarantee of particular health results.
Learn setups and receive feedback.
Check any assignments or certification assessment.
Before you book
Questions to ask a school.
Use these questions when you speak to the course team.
What experience do you expect before the course?
How much time is spent practising setups with feedback?
Which props must I bring or buy?
How do you teach consent and checking comfort?
Is further work required after the taught course?
Does the certificate include directory membership or a separate application?
Common questions
What else would you like to know?
Here are a few things to check before joining.
Is Restorative yoga the same as Yin yoga?
No. They may both use props and quiet periods, but their aims and teaching choices differ. Check that a course gives enough time to the style you want to teach.
Can I learn online?
Check how the trainer observes your setups and gives feedback. Make sure you have the required equipment and space before enrolling.
Will attending the course make me certified?
Not always. Some providers require assignments or further assessment. Get the exact completion requirements in writing.
Find a school
Find a place to learn.
Read about yoga schools and contact the course team to discuss your experience and questions.
Explore yoga schools ↗Further reading
Check current requirements with the provider or relevant organisation before applying.