Saying Yes to Rest

December 2021

Hello Friends.

At a yoga class this past weekend, the instructor had us doing several intensive sequences. In-between each sequence, we would lay on our mats in total relaxation for about a minute or two. Over time I could hear moans of exhaustion hoping that the rest/release moments were not just momentary, but would be closing in on Shavasana, the final resting pose at the end of a yoga class.

Later in the day, I took a walk with a friend who is a single mother and has worked tirelessly most of her adult life. She was sharing how difficult it is for her to allow herself to relax because she is afraid of losing momentum, the ‘keep going’ mindset to maintain the energy to stay afloat in life. I laughed remembering the yoga class that morning. 

Two weeks ago, Lead With Love co-hosted a panel on the Wisdom of Trauma. Our society is under chronic stress which means our nervous system, brain function, and heart rhythms are too. Chronic physical and emotional stress breaks down our resilience and reduces our ability to access higher functioning parts of our brain. This reciprocal process leads us to a state of numbness or reactivity as we see ever-present in the world today. 

Taking care of yourself by practicing mindfulness, movement, breathwork, taking time in nature, or attuning into coherence practices for our autonomic nervous system can bring support to you, your family, your work-life, and community. While likely many of us do not want to take time in-between intensive sequences to rest and reset, it likely does everyone well to do so. You matter. Take time to care for yourself today! By doing so, you are also caring for others and the world in which we live. 

Anne White
Executive Director