Stillness and Rest

Spring is starting to stir in the Northern Hemisphere. As I gently emerge from a season of stillness and rest, I am called to reflect on how rest is a beautiful embodiment of the teachings of the Yoga Sutras.

“Yoga is the stilling of the changing states of the mind” ¹

Being released from fluctuations and misconceptions of the mind through yoga is a means to find peace. Allowing for stillness, both physical through posture, and mental, by refraining from chasing after every thought, produces peace. Stillness in the body allows for stillness in the mind.

“When that is accomplished, the seer abides in its own true nature.” ²

Self-discovery, self-understanding, and embodying our true nature requires stillness. We need to allow ourselves to be still in order to see ourselves. In the same way an action shot on film can be blurry, movement makes it harder to observe ourselves clearly. The self-study essential to yoga requires stillness. We are called to create space to be calm and safe so that we may observe.

This is contrary to the lives many of us lead in the modern world. Capitalism demands constant productivity. The stillness we are called to embody through yoga contradicts the teachings of capitalist productivity. Indeed, rest and stillness are forms of resistance.³ Rest is both a form of self-care and an embodied practice of resistance to capitalism.

The opposition between our modern lives and stillness means that physical stillness is often more challenging than fiery asanas. Simply being, rather than doing, is not something we learn and practice in our daily lives. Be gentle with yourself if you find stillness challenging. Proficiency comes with practice.

Embrace stillness and rest with these restorative practices. These practices are FREE.

Presence Restorative Ruminating about the past? Worrying about the future? This 52-minute restorative practice is for you! Cultivate your presence in the here and now. Release stress and tension by anchoring in the present moment. Open your heart, release tension through the pelvis, groin, and low belly, release stress, and experience conscious rest.

Restorative Practice with Pillows: Need a little tender, loving care? Feeling stressed? This 48-minute restorative practice is for you! Enjoy the calming benefits of restorative yoga without any fancy yoga props!

Quick Treat -Supported fish: Sit at a desk all day? Tense shoulders? This 5-minute restorative practice is for you! Open your heart with this gentle backbend. Feel tension melt away.

Savasana: Always on the move? This 28-minute restorative practice is for you! Practice stillness and conscious rest. Find centre with your breath. This is a practice you can repeat daily.

Namaste.

1 “ yogaś-citta-vr̥tti-nirodhaḥ” Patañjali 1.2, translated in Bryant, 2015, 10.

Bryant, E. F. (2015). The yoga sutras of Patanjali: A new edition, translation, and commentary. North Point Press.

Alternative translation: “yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations (misconceptions) of the mind (to find peace)”

2 “tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe-‘vasthānam” Patañjali 1.3, translated in Bryant, 2015, 22.

Alternative translation: “(once the mind is calm/relaxed/eased/aware) then the true self takes form by providing insight into our own true nature”

3 Hersey, T. (2022). Rest is resistance: A manifesto. Hachette UK.