“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.”

– Anne Lamott

Life has a way of speeding up without asking our permission. There’s the endless to-do list, the texts you haven’t answered, the groceries, the work deadlines — and somewhere in there, you’re expected to take care of you. But the truth is, most of us don’t.

We push. We power through. We tell ourselves we’ll rest when things calm down… except they never do.

I know this feeling well, and so does Sarah, a long-time student of mine. When Sarah first came to class, she looked like she’d been holding her breath for years. A high-achieving marketing executive and mom of two, she admitted she had “forgotten how to relax.” Even vacations left her exhausted because she couldn’t stop the constant hum of urgency in her body.

Sarah’s Story: From Overdrive to Ease

During her first restorative yoga session, Sarah fidgeted on the bolster, her mind racing with what she “should” be doing. Ten minutes in, she sighed and whispered, “I didn’t know I was this tired.”

Week after week, Sarah began showing up for the hour of quiet. She learned to let her body be supported — truly supported — by props, by the floor, by her breath.

One day, after class, she said something I’ll never forget:
“I realized slowing down isn’t something I have to earn. It’s something I have to choose.”

That shift rippled into her whole life. She started leaving her phone in another room during dinner. She said “no” to an extra project at work. And she began sleeping — deeply — for the first time in years.

Why Slowing Down Is a Radical Act

We live in a culture that glorifies busy. We measure worth in productivity, not presence. But your body, your mind, and your spirit weren’t designed for constant acceleration.

Restorative yoga is like pressing the “reset” button on your nervous system. Supported by blankets, bolsters, and gentle poses, your body receives the message: You are safe. You can rest.

Physiologically, restorative yoga helps:

• Lower stress hormones like cortisol

• Improve digestion and immune function

• Soothe anxiety and racing thoughts

• Relieve chronic tension in muscles and joints

Mentally, it reminds you that slowing down is not a waste of time — it’s how you refill the well so you can show up fully in your life.

As author Pico Iyer says, “In an age of speed, nothing could be more invigorating than going slow.”

How to Begin Your Own Practice of Slowing Down

You don’t need a two-hour window, private lessons or a studio membership to start. Try these small, doable steps:

1. Create a calming space – Even a corner of your living room can become a sanctuary with a yoga mat, a blanket, and soft lighting.

2. Start with just one pose – Lie back over a bolster in Supported Heart Opener for 5 minutes and simply notice your breath.

3. Schedule rest like an appointment – Block 15–20 minutes on your calendar and protect that time as you would any important meeting.

4. Release the need to “do it right” – Restorative yoga is about being, not performing. There’s no wrong way to rest.

The Gentle Invitation Your Body Has Been Waiting For

If your soul has been whispering, “Slow down…” this is your sign to listen. Restorative yoga is more than stretching — it’s a practice of remembering yourself.

Sarah found her breath again. You can, too.

To help you begin, I’ve created a free guide: 7 Gentle Yoga Poses to Melt Away Stress. These simple, nourishing postures are designed for busy women who crave rest but don’t know where to start.

👉 Download your free guide here and give yourself permission to slow down.

Your worth is not measured by how much you do. It’s measured by how deeply you live.

May you always stay true in your intentions, true to your heart's desires & speak loving truth to those around you. Love ya!