Rest is most certainly a trending topic these days. From social media channels, to blog articles, to podcasts, talking about rest seems to be everywhere in mainstream media.
But, rest has always been central to the practice of yoga. Because western methods have focused so heavily on asana – equating yoga almost exclusively with movement and intense acrobatics – it’s easy to see why yoga is often only thought of in the context of movement or being physical. With the popularity in styles like “Power Yoga” and “HipHop Yoga”, the rest aspect has been somewhat minimized in the mainstream west.
Did you know that the early yogis practiced movement to facilitate their long sessions of meditation? Yes, rest and meditation was the whole point of asana practice.
Today, we’re slowly getting back to a more holistic, authentic practice of yoga. While we love and celebrate the movement aspects, there are many yogis and teachers in the Black community who are going beyond asana and offering guidance in areas like Yoga Nidra, Pranayama, Sound Healing and yes…Rest. Get inspired to start or deepen this aspect of your yoga with the wisdom of leaders like the ones featured below.
Yoga Nidra
What is yoga Nidra?
Also known as yogic sleep or conscious rest, yoga nidra is the practice of moving into a state of mindful stillness. Typically you are led to a state between sleeping and waking through guided meditation. It’s a calming and restorative practice for the body that also allows the mind to slow down as you turn inwards. Some of the benefits include: soothing the nervous system, reducing pain, improving sleep and boosting creativity and brain function.
Tracee Stanlee is an expert in Yoga Nidra with 20-plus years of study. In addition to being an author and host of the Radiant Rest podcast, Tracee offers trainings in yoga nidra and other forms of meditation. She also hosts live and online events that you can learn more about on her website.
“Yoga Nidra is really about giving your mind and body permission to go to sleep, while your consciousness stays awake and aware.” ~ Tracee Stanley
Ashley Burns is a Yoga Nidra guide who sees yoga as curiosity, trust and freedom. She is the co-founder of DiRTYOGA and is passionate about creating yoga offerings that are accessible and centre around community. Her guided Yoga Nidra and restorative yoga classes are available on the Yoga Green Book app. Keep reading to find out more about Ashley’s Reimagining Rest Series being featured May.
Sound Healing
What is sound healing?
Whether you call it a sound bath, sound alchemy or crystal sonic therapy, this is a practice that has gained momentum and popularity in recent years. However, sound healing is not new at all. It has been practiced as far back as in ancient Greek civilizations. Today, celebrities like India Arie are contributing to the growing interest in sound healing. This article offers an in-depth description of sound healing and its different forms.
Two sisters lighting the way for those interested in sound healing practice are Phyllicia Bonanno and Jazreena Harlow.
On her website Phyllicia shares: “I started facilitating Soundbaths because I felt how the sound changed me, how the sound settled my thoughts and canceled out some of the chatter in my head. Allowing me to reflect deeper and hear messages of truth and light.”
Jazreena is UK based practitioner who offers Sound Wisdom Coaching and regular virtual sound bath events. You can learn more about her work on her website and on Instagram.
Rest
This needs no definition. Or does it?
In our hustle-focused culture, obsessed with “the grind”, rest definitely needs a re-introduction. Thankfully, teachers like Tricia Hersey – The Nap Bishop – and Octavia Raheem are providing guidance and tangible frameworks to help us reconnect with rest.
Rest is more than 5 minutes of Savasana at the end of a yoga class. For Tricia Hersey, rest work is not a wellness concept – it’s a social and racial justice movement. It is a means to disrupt white supremacy and capitalism, paving the way forward for liberation of all people.
Octavia Raheem’s work centers on teaching and writing to support the Black community to be well, rested and free. Her latest book, Pause, Rest, Be is a timely guide that “will help you honor the changes and spaces in your life with purposeful rest and reflection.”
Pranayama
What is pranayama?
Pranayama is the practice of breath control. In sanskrit, Prana means “vital life force”. Yama means “control”. Various breathing techniques make up pranayama practice where the main goal is to help channel life force energy – the breath – in preparation for meditation.
Pranayam is known as the fourth of the eight limbs of yoga, according to Patanjali. It is a powerfully healing practice that can be used for purification, focusing the mind, or as part of other practices like mantra chanting.
Jasmine Marie is a breathwork practitioner and the founder of the community Black Girls Breathing (@blackgirlsbreathing). She is focused on supporting the healing on Black women and girls through breathwork training and community. Her work has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar and The Cut helping to raise awareness of her goal to positively impact 1million Black women by 2025.
Mindful Meditation
What is mindful meditation?
Mindful meditation is a type of meditation which involves paying attention to the present moment, deliberately and nonjudgmentally (yogapedia 2017). It helps us to develop the skill of deep presence and observation. There are many styles of meditation and it’s worthwhile to try a few alternatives to see what style suits you best. There are also Black-owned meditation apps that can support you in building your practice. A Yoga Green Book membership lets you access a variety of meditations guided by Black yogis.
Speaking of Black yogis, Light Watkins is an accomplished meditation teacher and practitioner. He has written several books, created a popular podcast and is also a top-rated corporate speaker on mindfulness and purpose. He is a thought leader on meditation an offers inspiration and challenge events to his community to spread the benefits of mindful meditation and movement practices.
Ready to go deeper into your rest practice?
Take our 3-Part Re-imagining Rest Series with Ashley Burns
Start Your Free Trial today to get instant access to this series and more!
