For many students, returning to the mat after an injury brings up more than physical discomfort—it often challenges identity, patience, and trust. Estefani Arrieta understands this deeply.
A longtime yoga teacher and practitioner, Estefani has studied and taught bilingually in English and Spanish across traditions—Hatha, Rocket, Yin, and therapeutic yoga among them. But it wasn’t until a cervical spine injury disrupted her movement and daily life that she truly experienced how powerful a slow, supportive practice could be.
“I struggled with dizziness, intense pain, and difficulty finding balance in even the simplest movements,” she recalls. “It was a very limiting time, both on and off the mat.”
With patience, physical therapy, and a shift in how she approached movement, Estefani began to rebuild. One of the biggest challenges? Adapting her practice—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The Power of Stillness in Recovery
Returning to movement after injury can be frustrating—especially when your body no longer responds the way it used to. That’s where slower, more supportive practices can make a meaningful difference.
A slow, prop-supported style where postures are held for several minutes, Yin Yoga targets the deeper layers of the body: fascia, joints, and connective tissue. It can also be one of the more emotionally complex styles, especially for those used to faster-paced movement. For Estefani, it initially felt frustrating.
“I thought it wasn’t engaging enough, and it even brought up some anxiety,” she shares. “I often felt frustrated because I couldn’t move as freely as before.”
But over time, Yin offered something unexpected: a way to move through fear, not just physical limitations. Supported postures gave her body a place to soften. Breath and awareness helped her reframe discomfort—not as something to push through, but something to meet with care.
“With time, I learned to let go of expectations,” Estefani says. “What I once saw as frustration was actually fear of the unknown, and moving through that fear became one of the most transformative parts of my recovery.”
Props became essential. Bolsters allowed her to rest without pain. Blocks helped her find stability in shapes that no longer came easily. These tools weren’t crutches, they were teachers.
Beyond the Physical
Yoga supported Estefani’s physical recovery, and it also helped her reconnect with herself. “Yoga played a profound role in helping me recognize and understand my emotions,” she says. With time, that emotional clarity began to ripple outward.
While her experience is personal, the benefits of Yin and Restorative yoga are universal. Its slow pace, supported shapes, and emphasis on ease create a safe space for rest—especially during times of physical healing or emotional overwhelm. This kind of practice invites you to release effort, build awareness, and begin again gently. For those recovering from injury or simply learning to rest in new ways, restorative yoga can be a steady, soft place to start.
Yoga Class: Gentle Restore Yoga Flow
To support others navigating recovery, Estefani created a gentle restorative class taught in Spanish and grounded in the same practices that supported her healing. It’s gentle, accessible, and a reflection of what she needed most during her own recovery: space, softness, and support.
Whether you’re returning to movement after injury or simply learning to rest in new ways, this class offers a place to begin again—with patience and care.
About Estefani
Estefani Arrieta is a bilingual yoga teacher and lawyer based in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds multiple certifications across yoga disciplines, including Hatha, Rocket, Yin, and therapeutic yoga. Her classes focus on mental health, adaptability, and creating space for every body.
Learn more at estefayoguini.com and connect with her on Instagram @estefayoguini.
