Dear Yoga Friends,

They say people who are attuned to the weather are naturally more mindful as they are more “awake” to the inevitable ups and downs of living with unpredictable, changeable weather. Lucky us, eh!

We know only too well that a sunny winter day is to be treasured and an awful winter day could be well used with a deep dive under the duvet. We know only too well that each will pass in their own time and clinging on, or resisting, is futile, we might as well just roll with it. How could we cultivate that attutitude of acceptance to the rest of lie’s ups and downs? We can practice coming back to a neutral nervous system by planning in time in our lives for conscious rest.

What is conscious rest? It’s anything at all to do with the process of finding, planning and making time for activities that relax your nervous system while your mind stays present and awake as best you can. So it is not sleep, not scrolling endlessly on your phone, and not getting lost in Netflix. Conscious rest incorporates practices like Yoga Nidra, massage, yoga, journalling, mindful walking, sauna and/or cold water immersion, slowly sipping a morning cup of coffee, gentle walks in nature, guided body scans, compression therapy, exploring aromatherapy, art, guided breathing practice, lymphatic drainage, body brushing, gua-sha, shakti mat, a long bath, reflexology, reading a book, guided meditation, acupuncture, getting a pedicure. The thing that makes yoga unique to other forms of exercise is that the practice is designed to be done with a calm nervous system but of course, other forms of exercise can be deeply relaxing for people so these suggestions are all very individual. What’s on your list? What practice could come in to your life for 20 minutes in your day here and there in your week? What could come into your life for an extra hour or two in the week? Can you plan something longer/more meaningful for yourself?

Think of conscious rest as one of the pillars of heath. A calm nervous system benefits every single system in your body. Think of the other pillars: sleep, food, exercise, relationships, community, work/purpose, fun, and see can you start to build time in to support this pillar. For many of us there’s an element of catching to to do too, I often remind myself I am recovering from years of chronic stress (we all are!)

Classes, workshops and mini-meditations are all designed to support you in supporting this pillar of your health. We’re back with week one in Ballyroan, spaces in each class, all the details are here. Evening classes in The Park are on week 4, yoga nidra week, spaces in each class, more info is here. All upcoming events are here, please consider taking a Wednesday morning out soon to join us for Mutton Lane mini-retreats, we have one next Wednesday! We have one final 5-night retreat in Solar Alvura Hotel with a very special offer for last-minute bookings, please enquire, we’ll be beginning Saturday 16th.

I’m here for any questions at all. I’m heading off in the drizzle to Mutton Lane Yoga Studio to light the wood-burning stove and count my blessings! So happy to be joining many of you there, we still have spaces for next Saturday’s one. I’m here for any questions at all as we all continue to find our way,

Kindest regards,

Sylvia.