Reimagine Rest: Relax Into Your Femininity
Are you feeling relaxed beautiful soul?
One of my most cherished self-care practices include prioritizing deep relaxation as often as I can in the middle of the day. Honestly, from the beginning of 2020 up until about September 2021, I had been preforming rest not actually sinking deep into it as I once did. My mind was so unsettled and even though I slept, I didn’t truly feel at ease or rested in my mind. I drifted away from my devotion to feminine rest that I had cultivated over the years. I’ve done my own reflecting as to why. I have concluded it was because I was afraid that I would lose what semblance of “control” I had over my life with all of the uncomfortable changes I’ve faced over the last two years.
So many are feeling uncertain as a result of current events, as the play continues to spiral, myself included. Many of us feel like we need to push ourselves further to compensate for the loss of control. But I truly feel there is power to be reclaimed in slowing down as the universe has commanded us to do. I understand this urge to push forward. However, as a woman, I would encourage you to reimagine what the way forward could be. Perhaps for now you pause. Relax. Give yourself space to slowdown. The most productive thing any of us can do is fucking release and allow. The essence of relaxing is about taking in the bounty of life and leaning into prioritizing your wellbeing BEFORE your well runs dry.
Reimagine your idea of rest
Fatigue has been a curse of the modern world. Almost everyone experiences it, especially women. The way we’ve been leading our lives has kept us exhausted, no matter how much we sleep and take rest on the weekends, and even after vacation we still feel tired. Why? Because of the systematic constructs we’ve been indoctrinated into. The imbalance of our energy that favors the masculine or yang way of life. More content. More productivity. It’s like we’re addicted. We can’t stop. The current state of the world has programmed us to believe that our very survival depends on this way of experiencing life. While it is natural to want more, to evolve, and expand. It is equally as natural, essential even, to devote energy to resting so that we can integrate and process who and what we’re expanding into. This is balance, harmony and sustainability. The trajectory of our lives has been altered, and yet there are many who are still trying to force an antiquated way of existing. We all have a beautiful opportunity to truly evolve, we can shift into a state of ease and heal for real. If we're willing.
"Perhaps for now you pause. Relax. Give yourself space to slowdown."
For women specifically, it is important to have rest in a feminine way – a women’s type of rest. Yea, I said it. What is that? Well, what do you usually do to relax after work, on the weekend or during a holiday? It may look like:
retail therapy (going shopping)
meeting up with girlfriends for brunch or a night out
binge watching your favorite movies or shows
practicing vinyasa yoga or other fitness pursuits
These are all great fun. There is just one thing to note, they are deeply in the yang (masculine). These practices assist the masculine energy. I want to emphasize this is NOT negative. It just isn’t supporting the feminine as those pursuits are highly stimulating. This might leave you feeling depleted, unnecessarily stimulated, and could possibly do more harm than relief. These aren’t true solutions for rest and relaxation. Which we all need to support the down regulation of the nervous system.
Take a moment to reflect
Do you have resistance or feel unease at the thought of resting in the middle of the day?
Why do you feel there is resistance to doing “nothing”?
Is it attached to some experience, programming or belief hidden in your shadows?
Ready to illuminate it?
It is important to your overall wellbeing to experience rest and FEEL rested. Rest revitalizes you in ways no other self-care practice can. Nurture your divine feminine energy. Experience the restorative power of deep rest. Here are some relaxation practices:
lounge on the sofa or in bed
practice silence for a day (no talking at all try a phone fast)
find a peaceful place, somewhere in nature to relax and observe
yoga – slow and soft restorative yoga and gentle stretches
reading – simple enjoyable and pleasant. Go for audiobooks to rest your eyes
tea meditation (check out Thich Nhat Hanh's Tea Meditation)
music – calm and peaceful music (check out our relaxing playlist)
taking a long bath with candles and essential oils
explore daydreaming or take a nap so you can invite dreams
No decision making or problem solving for a day. The mantra…someone else can do it.
Take up a therapeutic exploration that you've always wanted to do, but you thought was a waste of precious time – drawing, painting, watching the clouds, nurturing plants, sitting and daydreaming. It’s so vital for your wellbeing to take rest and do things that soften the edges. It is healing for the soul.
"Nurture your divine feminine energy. Experience the power of deep rest."
How did this resonate with you? If you want to explore a gentle bed stretch. Check out this bed flow: "Evening Unwind"
Join us for our monthly Rest & Transcend Restorative Bed Yoga to really be transported mind, body, and spirt into a deep rest trance.
You’ll find an abundance of therapeutic practices and restorative yoga o support you rest care in our online portal The Garden. If you feel called to 1:1 immersive support explore here.
Until next time. Take time my love. Relax.
By LaToya Maria
