REST! This is the month for it.

Welcome December! 

This month our focus pose will be
Savasana and Yoga Nidra.

This is usually everyones favorite pose, yet many of us resist resting when left to our own devices. Why is that?  Rest is an important part of living fully.  Much research has been done on the benefits of sleep, rest and relaxation. It is thought that during sleep our brain is actually detoxing. That may be why when we don't have enough sleep or rest it feels like our head is going to explode. Well, it might be ready to do just that!

Our thoughts, when we are well rested, tend to be more positive.
We tend to latch on to the negative when we are sleep deprived. 
Our decision making muscles are stronger too. 

The ferocious lion rests, can't you see the image of the pride laying in the sun? The Bengal tiger, the great white shark, all of the mightiest animals rest, and often.We do not perceive them as being weak, but for whatever reason when we consider resting we feel it does not shed a good light on us.  Our society reveres being busy. How many people do you hear speak with pride about being sleep deprived, being so scheduled they don't have time to eat properly or clean their house,spend time with their loved ones, or are too busy to make it to yoga class. Consider what we are giving up to acheive this illusion of importance.

Think of savasana, or any quiet time, like interval training. Taking a break after a lot of exertion, or a lot of being in the world, will make the time you spend in action much more satisfying.  You will be more efficient, you will work better and quicker, you will retain information gathered and experiences felt better, and you might even do the work with a smile on your face. The secret benefit it is during that rest time you connect with your true nature. The more time we spend in Kumbaka, or the pause between movements, the closer we are to our spirit. One dip inwards will sustain you for quite some time. The power is in the pause.

When you are in savasana or yoga nidra, the time you need for recovery is not as long as the time you spent wearing yourself out.  It's not an hour to hour ratio. 

A 20 minute yoga nidra has the rejuvenation power of 3 hours of sleep. Do the math.
It makes sense to indulge.  

So please, don't neglect your rest time, and don't neglect your yoga classes, particularly now, when it seems like there is no time to spare. Yoga, like most things that are good for you, is most needed when you think you don't possible have to time for it.  And the great news is that this month you can do your yoga AND get your rest at the same time.

See you in class! And bring an eyebag or scarf to cover your eyes during our long rest period. Let's really indulge this month!