You deserve to rest. Yes, you. I just got over the flu. I was out for over a week. I haven’t felt that terrible in years. Every time I went to do my yoga practice I had to stop because I was out of breath and exhausted. Every inch of my body hurt. The most I could do was a few cat cow stretches. I was angry at myself for not being able to do yoga because I knew it usually made me feel better. I was angry that I didn’t sit for meditation because my head hurt and I didn’t have the energy to sit up. I was angry that my body felt so tight. I was angry I couldn’t teach my weekly class. I was angry that I didn’t have energy to do an elaborate super moon sequence and write out all of my 2018 intentions and reflect on 2017. I was angry at myself for only wanting to lay on the couch and watch movies. I was angry that I wasn’t doing enough. I was sick and all I had to do was rest and I was angry that I wasn’t resting in the right way. I felt like I had to be doing something. My work allows me to dive into self care and learn how to make it a priority but that doesn’t mean it comes naturally or easily. I had to let myself rest even if that meant laying on the couch for a few days and not being able to physically practice yoga. Last night was the first time I did a practice and sat for meditation in a week and it was absolutely glorious! All I had to do was trust in my body and be patient with it. I have a newfound appreciation for my practice now. I feel grateful that I get to do it rather than making it feel like a chore. When I let myself rest without needing to do anything or be anything I started to feel better. Listen to your body and let yourself rest so that you can come back refreshed and revitalized for the work ahead.
ABOUT AUTHOR SAMANTHA BARRETT
Samantha Barrett is a 500 hr Advanced Vinyasa Yoga Instructor from Bucks County, PA. She received her 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training from Dragonfly under the direction of Alexis Ridge-Simek in 2015. She also studied with Rolf Gates (500hr), Seane Corn, Mas Vidal, Karl Straub, & Maria Garre. Her classes invite the
student to explore the body & breath on the mat in a way that deepens awareness, creates flexibility, and awakens true nature. She is a certified Reiki II Practitioner under the guidance of Valerie & Ian Haag and has completed 16 hrs of Thai Yoga Bodywork training from the Vedic Conservatory. She graduated from Temple University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and her passion for teaching has lead her into the light of Yoga.