Also known as "active relaxation," the point of restorative yoga is not to actively stretch, but to actively relax. Props such as straps, blocks, balls, towels, chairs, and even the wall can be used to build forts you can lean or lie on. Props also help support the body so that you can hold asanas (postures) longer, allowing you to open your body through passive stretching. The more fully your body is supported, the deeper your sense of relaxation and surrender will be.
Take the time to get comfortable on your props and make any necessary adjustments before you settle in. In restorative yoga, the distance between heaven and hell can be as little as half an inch. A small adjustment to a blanket or a minor shift in the body's position can transform a moment of exasperated agony into pure rapture.
Although they look peaceful, restorative asanas can be challenging for beginners. Just because the body rests quietly doesn't mean the mind will settle into the same stillness. Be patient and be prepared for days when every inch of you rebels.
In time and with practice, you will be rewarded with the ability to drop with ease into a place of deep contentment, stilling your fidgety body, and calming your rambling mind so that you may rest quietly in the present moment and clearly see the peace that resides within.