Restorative Yoga Meets Acupuncture: Why Combining These Two Practices Works Better Together

Most people experience restorative yoga and acupuncture as two separate appointments on two separate days. On Sunday, September 27, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Palestra is combining them into a single $75 workshop — "Restorative Yoga with Acupuncture Savasana" — led by Wendy Swanson, a licensed acupuncturist and yoga teacher, who is uniquely positioned to guide both halves of the experience.

What is an "acupuncture savasana"?

An acupuncture savasana is a final resting yoga pose (savasana) performed while receiving acupuncture treatment, combining sustained physical stillness with targeted needle placement in one restorative experience. Savasana already encourages the body to release effort; adding acupuncture during that stillness brings the two restorative practices together rather than sequencing them separately. 

This session repeats again on November 15, so if September doesn't work with your schedule, there will be another opportunity — but the pairing itself is worth understanding regardless of when you experience it.

Does acupuncture actually affect the nervous system, or is that just how it feels?

Yes — multiple peer-reviewed studies using heart rate variability analysis have found that acupuncture shifts the autonomic nervous system toward parasympathetic dominance, meaning it measurably increases the body's rest-and-digest activity rather than simply producing a subjective sense of calm. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that real acupuncture had a significantly greater effect on increasing parasympathetic tone compared to placebo acupuncture, and earlier research using heart rate variability has documented the same parasympathetic shift during acupuncture stimulation itself.

In plain terms: acupuncture doesn't just feel relaxing in the moment; research has found measurable changes in autonomic nervous system activity that can continue beyond the treatment itself.

Why pair it with restorative yoga specifically, rather than a more active style?

Restorative yoga is built around long-held, supported poses with minimal muscular effort, making it a natural pairing with acupuncture. Unlike a more active yoga style, restorative yoga allows you to remain still and relaxed during treatment, giving both practices space to support the same overall experience of rest and relaxation.

This is the same principle behind why Palestra pairs Friday Sound Baths with restorative and Yin-style classes rather than more active ones — calming inputs compound when the body isn't also being asked to work.

What should someone expect in this specific workshop?

Participants can expect a restorative yoga sequence — supported, well-cushioned poses held for extended periods — with acupuncture incorporated during the final savasana, led throughout by Wendy Swanson in her dual role as both acupuncturist and yoga teacher. Having one practitioner trained in both disciplines matters here: the sequencing, needle placement, and pacing are designed as one integrated experience, not two separate services layered together.

Is this appropriate for someone who has never had acupuncture before?

Yes — this format can offer a gentle introduction to acupuncture because the needle placement happens within the calm, supported setting of a restorative yoga practice. If you've been curious about acupuncture but hesitant to try it on its own, this workshop offers a comfortable way to experience it.

How do I register?

"Restorative Yoga with Acupuncture Savasana" is $75, held Sunday, September 27, from 2:00–4:00 p.m., with a repeat session on November 15. Reserve your spot on our workshops page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior yoga or acupuncture experience to attend? No — the workshop is designed to be accessible to complete beginners in either practice.

Is acupuncture painful? Most people describe acupuncture needles as producing a mild sensation rather than pain; sensitivity varies by person and by placement.

What should I wear or bring? Comfortable, loose clothing that allows easy access to areas like the arms and lower legs is recommended, along with anything that helps you feel physically comfortable during an extended resting pose.

Why is this workshop led by one person instead of two separate practitioners? Wendy Swanson is both a licensed acupuncturist and a yoga teacher, which allows the entire experience — sequencing, pacing, and needle placement — to be designed as one integrated session rather than two disconnected halves.

When is the next opportunity if I can't attend September 27? This same workshop repeats on November 15 — see our workshops page for updated details closer to that date.