A Place of Rest

In yoga classes, you’ll often hear the instructor say something like, “You can always come to a child’s pose if you need rest” or “take rest here in downward facing dog and breathe deeply.”  These statements, while well-intentioned, naturally assume that everyone sees child’s pose or downward facing dog as poses of “rest” and relaxation.

But the thing is, some people absolutely hate these poses. For instance, child’s pose can be uncomfortable on the knees, the tops of the feet, and especially the shoulders.  Plus, most people usually need several months of consistent practice before they might consider downward facing dog a “resting” pose – after all, it requires substantial strength in the arms, shoulders, quadriceps, hamstrings, and core muscles.

Regardless of how your teacher words it, he/she intends to say that your first responsibility in a yoga class is to honor your body.  If your breathing becomes labored, choppy, or uneven, consider that you may be too far into a pose and might want to back out a bit.  If you are able to breathe through a tough sequence, that’s great – but if you cannot, definitely come into a resting pose that is comfortable to you – whether it’s child’s pose, downward facing dog, a cross-legged seated position, or even savasana.

That is the amazing thing about yoga – our bodies are made so differently and what feels good to me may not feel good to you, and vice-versa.  But if you stay in your practice, move along with your own breath (even if it is slower/faster than the instructor’s cues), and above all, respect your body when it needs rest, you will be in the best possible position to reap the benefits of a yoga practice.  You will grow stronger and more flexible at a pace that is perfect for you.

More importantly, by paying attention to what you need on the mat, you will be better trained to look inward off the mat.  Over time, you may learn to prioritize “rest” and other forms of self-care in other parts of your life – which, in the long run, will strengthen you and allow you to serve others with greater presence and sincerity.