Why We Rest

"Rest: the seemingly unreachable state;
so easily arrived at, 'simply' through stopping."
~ David Whyte

Beautiful beings,

How are you feeling on this powerful day?

Today we are experiencing both a new moon, and a rare, hybrid solar eclipse. 

Eclipses are typically times of intense personal growth, so why not offer yourself the opportunity to check in? Do some internal investigation?

If things feel a bit intense emotionally, gift yourself some extra time to pause and breathe. Allow your full self to arrive, and don't shy away from the shadow sense of self. 

During the opening of my classes, I often invite people to, "Start by stopping." And, as David Whyte points out, this is not so simple.
☝🏽 (Quotation at the top 😉)
Today, I encourage you to level-up your self-care routine by intentionally taking moments to pause and rest. 

I know, I know . . . I can hear the collective groan, "But, Michelle . . . I don't have time to rest." 

But . . . is that really true? 

Here's the thing. Rest might entail getting underneath a big blanket, eliminating all distractions, closing your eyes, and drifting into sweet slumber. Occasionally, a nap is exactly what's needed. 

However, that's the not the only way to rest. 

Here are three of my favorite ways to rest more, even when I'm busy:

• Leave 5 to 15 to 30 extra minutes between events. Truly, this shift has been HUGE for me! If you get to create aspects of your own schedule, why not give yourself a bit more padding? I used to think, "Okay. This class finishes at 9:00, I can be across town teaching another class by 9:30. While that may technically be true, I find a few extra minutes to connect with people, gift myself a cup of tea, settle back into my breath, and move through an unhurried transition? Gosh! It makes ALL the difference. This small shift allows me to be more present, practice better self-care, and have more energy at the end of the day! 
• Switch up my soundscape. Sometimes, the noise of the day (whether that be external or internal! 😳) can be taxing. Too often, we are unaware of the impact it is having in our nervous system. So, start by creating a shift in what you are LISTENING TO. This means becoming present enough to truly listen. Maybe it's to music. An audiobook. A podcast. Your favorite mantra. Nature. Or, silence. Ahhhhhhhh.
• Get on my mat. Whenever I get on my mat, good things happen. Maybe I do a short breath practice. Perhaps I begin with movement followed by meditation. Or, I might get out the bolsters, and the blankets, and recline for a 20-minute Yoga Nidra. Regardless of how much time I spend on the mat? I always feel nourished and revitalized. 

​Not yet convinced that a little extra rest is right for you? 

Want to know more about why rest is so important? 

David Whyte explains it so eloquently:
***"Rested, we are ready for the world but not held hostage by it, rested we care again for the right things and the right people in the right way. In rest we reestablish the goals that make us more generous, more courageous, more of an invitation, someone we want to remember, and someone others would want to remember too."
​
Be oh-so-gentle with yourself,

~ m ♥️

P.S. THANK YOU for all of the enthusiasm around Art Of Connection! Very few spaces are left, and I don't want you to miss out. Register today! 

***‘REST’
From CONSOLATIONS: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words.
Revised Edition : David Whyte and Many Rivers Press