27. May 2026
The Power of Rest
Greetings! It is a while since I posted anything. I have been unashamedly resting and cutting myself a bit of slack. A few weeks ago things finally caught up with me. I had taught my morning classes at Ainsworth, popped home to empty the car of bolsters, blocks and mats and headed off to do the weekly shop. As I pottered around the shop my mind wandered to my 'to-do-list' which, frighteningly was longer than the one at work. I returned home, put the shopping away and made some dinner. My plan was to spend the afternoon ticking off my list.
Then I hit a wall. I was exhausted and my body and mind could no longer sustain what I was asking of them. I got out my DVD collection, put on a favourite and sat down to watch. I spent the afternoon curled on the sofa with David Attenborough and some creepy crawlies! It was just what I needed, my body and mind began to relax and recuperate.
At the time I felt I had earned this rest after working so hard. On reflection what I have realised is that I needed the rest to continue to do the work. Rest should never have to feel justified. Rest is important so that we can be prepared and fit to do what we need to do. I teach in my classes to listen to our bodies, they tell us what we need. I think I had slightly lost touch with mine. My head had taken over in its determination to expand and succeed. As a yogi with Pitta as my dominant dosha I am prone to over doing things and burn out in my quest for all things good and right. To balance this I practice water meditations to help cool my inner fire. Rest should be my priority and I try to let go of attachment. Not easy but I definitely feel better for trying!
I have been following Pippy-dog's example. She is 14 soon and when she has had enough that is it, she just stops. It started a year ago on a camping holiday in the Yorkshire Dales. We were walking up Great Whernside, a walk we have done before and Pippy loves. We stopped part way up for a rest, snack and just to admire the breath-taking vistas. We got up and continued to walk up the 'hill'. Pippy just looked at us, her huge Corgi ears pointing up and refused to move any further. We took one step towards her and she shot off down the hill, her little heart-shaped bottom waggling like the clappers. Pippy knew when she had hit her wall and no one could persuade her otherwise.
I have taken a leaf from her book this last few weeks. I had been caught up in the whirlwind of this new venture and I have been striving to make things work with more gusto than I had realised. Whilst my aim is to continue to build my little yoga empire I have to remember that I still work 3 days alongside my yoga teaching. My 'days off' are not that at all, I am busier than ever. I have now created a work balance that is manageable and sustainable. I am loving this new venture and enjoying every minute but it does not make it any less tiring. I now take things a little slower and easier. What will be, will be and I have put my trust and faith in that.