Everyone deserves to take time for themselves, to let go, to be present, to experience respite and to prioritize self-care. We need to honor our health by taking time to experience real rest and relief from life’s difficulties or unpleasantnesses
Whether you call it respite or deep rest, we all gain value from letting go. Respite is not an escape. It is recognizing what is going on in your life and choosing to be present with the larger picture. When we actively choose to rest, we allow the body to heal.
Even if you take a short break, you are making a positive impact on your health. Heather Cherry explains in a Forbes article that breaks “promote mental health, boost creativity, increase productivity, promote well-being, reduce stress, improve mood, and strengthen relationships.” Cherry continues, “Adequate rest helps your body activate its inner healing cascade and return to a state of homeostasis. This is when your body can repair and recover.”
Taking respite for yourself is a form of gratitude. The Center for Mindful Compassion says, “True gratitude is authentic and does not disregard the potential struggles of life.” The value of respite and gratitude is understanding the complexity of your situation. We learn to get past the resistance of taking time for ourselves and turn it into accepting our situation. It is through this process that you cultivate a sense of unconditional contentment. As you take respite you will boost creativity, improve productivity and enhance decision making.
Taking time to do less leaves us with more.
Respite can take many forms. It should be nourishing and pleasing to you. Similar to destressing, activities can include but are not limited to: exercise, mindful breathing, meditation, yoga, connecting with your people, spending time in nature or enjoying a spa day. NIH News in Health suggests that the key is being present in the moment. Dr. Richard Davidson of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an expert on mindfulness. “And when they were not paying attention to what they’re doing, they were significantly less happy.”
Thank you for your support of Healing Pines Respite. We have been honored by how many folks have worked through the frustration of a new way to sign up for class. We appreciate you taking the time and contributing to Healing Pines Respite. Your donation allows Healing Pines Respite to continue their invaluable work.
One more opportunity to participate in Fall’s Service week benefitting Healing Pines Respite: Sunday @6:45-7:45pm, Restorative Yoga online with Aviva. Take an hour to experience respite through Restorative Yoga. Spend the hour in a handful of postures supported by pillows and blankets.
You can also donate directly to Healing Pines Respite by clicking Here.
Clear your calendar! The Art and Yoga Retreat, Heart of Hope: Lessons from the Garden, at the NC Botanical Garden has been rescheduled for March 11. Give yourself a full day of respite with art, yoga, mindfulness and inspiration from nature. Registration for the new date is now available.
Reach out to the Dogwood Team with any questions at info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com. We are here to help.
Aviva Chaye Tulasi is a team member at Dogwood Studios. She is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT). She applies the teachings of classical yoga to reduce the effects of negative stress and to balance the nervous system. Aviva is available for private sessions. Email Aviva at yogawithtulasi@gmail.com with any questions.
SAM Sather, founder of Dogwood Studios, is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT), individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online and in person yoga classes as well as private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.