Confession time.

I used to be THAT yoga student, the one who went to yoga for the workout and then walked out when class began to slow down and journey toward Savasana.

For a long time, resting felt foreign and scary. Being still brought long-buried and often icky feelings to the surface.

Resting also meant I wasn't "getting shit done." And what person hasn't struggled with the societal pressures that dictate we are only enough if we DO more?

In case you're unfamiliar, Savasana, which is Sanskrit for "corpse pose," is often the closing posture of a yoga class. It's purpose is multifold, but in essence we practice stillness to balance the activity of our time on the mat.

All manner of healing goodness happens in these few minutes of quiet. Muscles relax, our nervous system integrates the experiences of our practice in a downregulated state, we calm our squirrely minds.

We are, in short, practicing death.

It's not morbid. Really.

But for a lot of us, being in an intentional space of non-doing is unfamiliar territory.

Take, for example, one of my massage clients who routinely reports feeling dizzy after her massages with me. The first few times she mentioned this, I reminded her that massage therapy often transports a person into an altered state of consciousness. It can also lower blood pressure and leave you feeling a little wobbly. (This is why I always tell my clients to take their time getting off the table and make sure they have their bearings before they leave my office!)

This same client and I recently dug a little deeper into her post-massage feelings. What we deduced is that the state of ease and release she reaches on the massage table is not something she is accustomed to!

Back to my confession: I am proud to report that I no longer skip Savasana. Over the years, and especially as a yoga instructor, I've come to deeply appreciate the purpose of and sensations created by rest.

These days, my yoga practice is about working IN. Some days, my practice is ONLY Savasana! I create a comfy nest, recline back, and let my body savor ease. Sometimes I cry, sometimes I get intuitive hits, sometimes I gain clarity on issues that felt hard when I was milling about. Always, I wake feeling renewed!

When I shift from doing to being is when I fully see myself. I see that I am enough, that I am doing my human 100%, that I deserve to take up space in the world.

No sweat, blood, or performance standards required.

And no more leaving class early!

xo,

Jennifer (she/her)

P.S.: For those craving rest, claim your time here. Massage, private yoga, and coaching are available to help you find what feels good!

P.P.S: I'm really excited about this upcoming opp for REST!

Yoga for Menopause Workshop, April 22, 1:30-3:00 pm EST

I am partnering with the ever-welcoming, loving community at Grace Yoga to lead Yoga for Menopause on April 22.

Expect soothing breathwork, movement to help you sensually experience sensations in your body, and time to linger in restorative postures that calm and heal your nervous system. In studio and livestream options available. Register here. Full details are in the registration link. $28.