Why I Chose the Restorative Path (or, How I Learned to Nap on a Yoga Mat)

This week, I want to talk about my journey into teaching restorative yoga. Now, you might be thinking, "But you're already a pretty chill person!" And you'd be right. I've always been more of a "let's sit on the porch and watch the clouds go by" kind of gal than a "let's climb a mountain" type. But what I've learned is that there's a difference between being naturally laid-back and truly giving your nervous system the rest it needs.

Even for the most chill among us, our bodies are constantly processing stress. The ding of a new email, the endless scroll of social media, even the seemingly harmless act of running errands can put our sympathetic nervous system—the one responsible for our "fight or flight" response—on high alert. We might not feel frantic, but our bodies are quietly accumulating tension.

That's where restorative yoga comes in. Lying on a pile of blankets and bolsters, propped up like a human-shaped burrito, and holding a single pose for ten minutes? I thought it was a joke. But it’s the most brilliant act of rebellion against our fast-paced world. Restorative yoga is a deliberate practice of shifting your nervous system into the parasympathetic state, the "rest and digest" mode. By using props to fully support the body, we're telling our brains, "It's safe now. You can let go." This is when the magic happens: your heart rate lowers, your breathing deepens, and your body can finally begin to repair itself.

For my mental health, this practice has been a total game-changer. It’s like a spa day for my brain, but instead of lemon water, I get to lie on a bolster and let my nervous system know it’s okay to take a break. In a world that constantly tells us to move, restorative yoga gives you permission to just exist and heal.

The profound peace I've found in this practice is something I want to share with everyone, regardless of whether they're a high-strung go-getter or a naturally mellow soul. My journey has taught me that true rest is a practice, not a passive state. It’s a deliberate, supported act that brings your entire self back into balance. I want to help others find their inner calm, one supported pose at a time.

Join me and co-facilitator Missy for an evening of rest and digest. Friday August 22 from 5pm-9pm. https://facebook.com/events/s/reconnect-with-your-authentic-/1072167304356858/