Rest is Radical: Why Soften, Restore, and Release Matter More than Stretching

Introduction

As I was preparing to teach the class "Stretch and Restore," I was, once again, reminded to remember

how much I do not like the name of the class. It's almost as impossible an entity as "Restorative Flow.

Why Stretching Feels Like Work (and Rest Feels Radical)

Our body-mind-spirit experiences "stretching" as work. To restore, we must release ourself from work.

Resting, restoring, releasing ourself from work... is anathema to our lives, our culture, our enculturation.

We are taught from an early age and by myriad examples that rest is for the wicked; that we must do

everything on our list before we can rest. To make any amount of time to rest or soften is to defy the

status quo... to resist. To be radical.

Why Our Nervous System Resists Rest

Our nervous system resists rest because it is such a pariah in our culture. And it's critical to the human

being in each of us to belong, to do what our culture tells us is good and right. Even when that thing we

do hurts us in the long run.

The Power of Small Rest Rituals

But when we offer ourselves a little bit of softness and/or rest at a time, we soothe the nervous system's

resistance and we're able to integrate a little here, a little there. Over time, with our renewed and

renewing commitment to our self, we feel the effects of these itsy bitsy moments, rituals, practices of

rest.

What We Begin to Experience

- a little more softness in our body

- a wee bit more expansiveness in our sense of time

- a teeny bit more confidence in our trust in ourself as we move into and through each day with the intention of

caring for ourself.

Each day we do this itty bitty practice deepens the softness and this extends to a little

more... and a little more... and a little more.

And then that "snowball's chance in hell" becomes a

beautiful cascade of loving kindness that pours over our head, shoulders, soul—every day in as many

ways as we find and create.

Extending Loving Kindness

And then, we are so much freer to extend this loving kindness to those we love and beyond. THIS is

what restoring means—coming back to your truest self. THIS is restoring ourself to our self.

Little Rest Practices You Can Try Today

- say "soften" instead of "stretch"

- sit down and close your eyes while you sip your coffee/tea

- light a candle and pause for just a moment to gaze into the flame

- resist the temptation to do something else while you're filling your glass of water—linger, feel gratitude for having water brought to your home; for having drinkable water

- soften your grip on the steering wheel, the pen, the glass you're holding

Conclusion

Don't stretch today. Soften... into your body, into the moment, into your life.

Let me know in the comments below, what one itsy bitsy thing you’ll do for you today!

blessings always,

paula.

p.s. For more info about me, go here

p.p.s. For more info about what I do, go here

p.p.s.s. For more info about the upcoming retreat in the south of France, click here. I’d love to welcome you.