Movement and Rest Medicine
I am a firm believer in movement as medicine. When we feel stuck in our lives, overwhelmed by circumstances, pain in the body or just plain tired- a little bit of movement can go a long way. It doesn't need to be a major endeavor. You don't need to change your clothes or break a sweat. The body revels in slow, mindful movement. Joints are happiest when they are compressed and decompressed regularly. Muscles feel joy when they are asked to move us especially against a little resistance. Fascia and cells celebrate when we release held tension. The mind quiets when we are given a novel activity. The heart sings when we dance. Lightness and freedom are some positive side effects of mindful movement.
Medicine indeed.
I also believe in rest as medicine. Deep, conscious, internal & quiet rest. Deep rest is a bit different than relaxing. Relaxing is more like chilling on your couch watching a movie, enjoying a meal, scrolling though instagram or reading a book in bed. Some of my personal favorite activities but they tend to zone us outward. DEEP REST is different. Deep rest invites us to go inward. It resets the nervous system. It changes your brain waves. It reboots you. I find the most powerful way to deeply rest is to be guided by a Yoga Nidra meditation (audio below). After a deep rest session you can feel quite energized but in a very grounded way. Centeredness and clarity are some positive side effects of deep rest.
Medicine indeed, as well.
We all know that life is a combination of magical moments and arduous ones. I am confident that if we can give ourselves these gifts of natural medicine in small doses every day we can move through this wild life ride with a little more kindness, grace and ease.
Happy Holidays, I love you all! Enjoy my gifts to you below :)