The art of Rest and Relaxation
For me the art of Rest and Relaxation is something that I do not find easy. My pattern in life is doing, doing, doing; then collapse and burnout. I’ve given more awareness to it recently. My pattern (which often feels like a familiar old friend) has served me well in my life, but not always, sometimes it has felt like a curse and at times taken me a few steps back that the recovery has been a challenge.
Earlier this year I began planning my daily/weekly/monthly schedule, with pockets of rest in them. Simple 30 – 60 minutes at first, windows with no commitments or tasks in them, then building up to half a day and then full weekends.
In these pockets of rest, an intention to charge up my tank, to have a space to gain perspective, to take a walk, to cook, to bath (@annafavageryoga can testify the magic of an afternoon bath), small things that contribute a sense of calm and bring you back to Hic et Nunc.
In the calmness; I experienced myself as a better mother first and foremost, but also a partner, a business owner and an all-round better human. To have a greater capacity to hold space for others when there is fuel in my tank. It was a new methodology and whilst it was clumsy at first, 10 months in of the practice and I have a flow to it. And like everything, some months are more successful than others.
After a personally challenging few months, I again sensed myself in a space of needing something more significant than what I could generate at home, I needed to change the environment, to cultivate perspective to be able to think. I needed a rest, some time to slow right down, and do absolutely, nothing. So, I booked a retreat.
Shortly before I left for retreat, I joked with friends about my desire just to stare into space, without a care or any responsibilities. Helen’s slow living retreat (which was well overdue) was exactly that.
The true practice is coming back in the bubble and being able to transition back into real life. Taking everything, you felt, experienced, and learnt into your everyday life. Retaining the peace in your nervous system.
So, in a beautiful retreat in Preveza, Greece, I was reminded how in the smallest movement, you can experience deep sensations and shifts. After 4 days of stillness, movement, reading, napping, hammock swinging, daydreaming, LOTS of chaturangas, and laughter I found myself heading home fully charged, peaceful, content, and ready to take on a busy Noble Yoga calendar.
Sometimes we are fortunate enough to meet people who remind us to live fully in nowness, pure Hic et Nunc energy. And the collective energy of my fellow retreaters was exactly that.
As we move into the end of the year, I’m attempting to cultivate all my learnings of slow living, at least to try, after all, that’s the best way to integrate a new habit.
As always, if you have your own thoughts and feedback to share with me, I’d love to read them and have a conversation with you. You can reach me here.
Thank you for being part of our community.
Love, Jodie x
