I want to talk about rest today because it’s such an important topic and I don’t think we give much thought too until symptoms start to arise and force us to take a break.
Today was one of those days where it was hard to get out of bed, it was raining; a damp and dreary day with an overcast sky. I am not one who typically worries about the weather, being outside comes naturally, but today, everything in my body said it was going to be a rest day.
I left my full time teaching job about three weeks ago. Sense then there has been a lot of roller coaster emotions including anxiety, self doubt, fear, worry, liberation, freedom, and pure joy. I love what I do on a regular basis now, and I have the opportunity to reinvent my life and find balance.
The reality is that these moments of sensation, feelings, don’t stick around forever. I don’t feel excited every second of every day just like I don’t feel like I’m drowning in anxiety every day either. Feelings and sensations that come up moment to moment really do pass.
One would think that because I teach yoga, meditation, and mindfulness that I don’t get shaken by my feelings or attach to them. While I have a really beautiful practice, and have grown in so many beautiful ways over the years, I am still having a human experience. It still takes me a while, especially during an uncomfortable feeling/sensation to remember ‘This too will pass.’ or ‘This is temporary.’ And I am still learning to listen to my body to tell me what I should do next to help bring it back into balance.
Sometimes I wake up energized, teach yoga, paint feverishly, and ride four horses just to burn off the extra energy. Other days are all about not getting off of the sofa and eating as much as I need to refuel and help my body destress. It makes me uncomfortable to not be at what I consider my ‘peak’ performance. I don’t like to sit around all day because I have a ton of learned ideas that are tied into my own worth or value based on how productive I am. I don’t think that I am alone in equating my worth with how much I do or contribute. In the western world this is a very rote concept that I feel is embedded in our communities; this makes resting a challenge because often we feel guilty for it.
Taking the time to rest and find balance is such an important part of the wellness journey. Restorative yoga, such as the classes I teach weekly in the studio, have some really positive health benefits. Passed down to me in my training it’s said that practicing 1 hour of restorative yoga is like taking a 3 hour nap. Because of how gentle restorative yoga is, it is one of the safest practices for those who are pregnant and/or suffering with chronic illness. Restorative yoga can help balance the flight or fight response in the brain, reduce chronic pain, improve the capacity for healing, strengthen the immune system, and balance insomnia.
We have a finite amount of energy within us each day, it takes time to restore those energy pockets and fill our cup. Restorative yoga, resting by a relaxing fire on a rainy day, going for a gentle walk, and listening to gentle music or laying down and listening to your own breath are great ways to fill your cup back up. If you were looking for permission to rest, really rest, breathe, and allow that type of self love and care in your life, here it is; the universe gives you permission to rest.
We don’t have to feel guilty for resting. I remember my therapist saying that sometimes people just visited her office to sit in the quiet space for a while. We crave relaxation when our body and mind feel out of balance. I encourage you to find some space in your day or week where you completely surrender to relaxation and rest.
Classes are held at Yoga by the Lake, you can check out the full schedule updated monthly on my website and of course my facebook page. Thank you for watching and have a warm and peaceful rest of your day!