Radical Rest

As nature turns within, is there a deep longing toward making space for times of quiet hibernation, but the ingrained pull of productivity makes it challenging to offer yourself rest? I read a quote recently that stopped me in my busy tracks: "we take breaks so we don't break".

I often find myself faced with the question- who am I if I am not actively contributing in some way? The last three years of life-altering menopause symptoms have forced me to question the self-imposed sense of urgency I add to my daily tasks and begin to honor the changing cycles of my energy levels.

Blanket suggestions to women in mid-life to "slow down" don’t resonate with me. I don’t want to slow down, I want to keep moving, learning, getting stronger, more creative and inspired...but I do recognize how a few hours or even a whole day of unplugging- letting as many responsibilities go while staying in integrity with myself and others- creates much more ease and mindfulness as I engage with the tasks that make up my life.

And, it's not just about allowing ourselves time for rest without guilt. What about remembering joy? It’s been clear a lot is out of our hands, so if something is really out of our hands, can we release it from our minds and turn towards what we can control and what brings sweetness and happiness to our lives?

I've learned it's much easier to face daily challenges after claiming moments to draw my scattered energy back to present centered awareness. Once I've taken the time to pause I can better discern where I’d like to direct my renewed energy and attention.

What acts of regular respite work for you to come back to yourself?

One of my favorite kinds of rest (besides a bath and an episode of the current show I'm enjoying with Cliff) is the non-sleep deep rest of Yoga Nidra. The benefits of this ultra relaxing, guided meditation are many. It can restore us after sleepless nights due to stress, hot flashes, a snoring partner etc. It helps curb the symptoms of anxiety, and the feelings of overwhelm we can succumb to when there is so much going on in our lives and the world. (One symptom of menopause I wasn't expecting was the loss of my resiliency to stressors.)

I'll be guiding a live, online, 60 minute deluxe yoga nidra tomorrow evening from 5:15-6:15 pst from my home studio in Juneau, Alaska. That pic above is the recent moon rise from an afternoon walk (our sun sets around 3pm at the moment!) If you'd like to join me, let me know below and I’ll send you access to our private zoom yoga room. Expect to receive stress-relieving gentle movement to prepare your body for relaxation, an invitation to lie down and become as comfortable as possible, followed by guided rest including a body scan and visualizations. Yoga Nidra offers your body the healing experience of sleep while your mind frees. To me it is a sublime practice I’d love to share with you!