This article is sponsored by Dwell Yoga Studio.
Not long ago, an e-publication that I enjoy (but often piles up in my Inbox) grabbed my attention with the headline, “Lord, Unrush Me.” A small voice inside of me said, “Read this one. Don’t delete it.”
I love this publication, but often disregard it, promising myself that “next week, I’ll make time to read it.” The article led with this question:
“Ever felt like you’ve set your life to the rhythm of rush?”
Author, Speaker, and President of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa TerKeurst, talked about the exhaustion that tugged at her heart, demanding her to slow down. She wondered how it would be possible, given the rush of endless demands in her life. Can you relate?
Have you ever noticed how hard it is to sit still and not multi-task? We’re trained to do more, help more, experience more — and to do it all more efficiently than last year.
The truth is, our bodies and spirits desperately need intentional rest, stillness, and meditation.
Sure, we could learn how to say “no” more often, create boundaries, and prioritize, but let’s be honest, we’re already in it. We’re driven by our choices, commitments, and family responsibilities — and there’s no turning back now.
How do we un-rush the rush?
Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy hack for this one. It takes intention. Maureen Beville, Owner and Instructor at Dwell Yoga Studio in Frisco suggests that the best way to find deep rest is through prayer, meditation, and a sweet Savasana at the end of a yoga class.
Maureen believes that your practice is more than just poses that increase flexibility, mobility, and strength. We can use the movement and the breathwork of yoga to bring unity to our body, mind, and spirit.
All Dwell Yoga classes weave together the physical postures with breathwork, the intention centered around a biblical devotion or scripture. The classes end with Savasana, a time of rest, meditation, and prayer.
There is never any expectation for students to pray or share aloud; it’s simply a time to relax, surrender and receive.
Dwell Yoga offers an extended Savasana at the end of their 75-minute All Flow classes (60 minute practice + 15 minute savasana). Why? Because even with the intentional breathing and postures held during a yoga class, the real quieting of the mind begins in Savasana.
Making a Space for Stillness
This time of rest at the end of class can promote balance in your entire body. Fatigued muscles get to relax, tense shoulders and jaws soften, and the eyes close to encourage a quieter state of mind. Furthermore, Maureen explains,
Savasana helps us learn how to completely surrender, stop fighting the clock, and make space for God’s peace. This deep rest allows for the the body to speak to mind, and for the intention of the class to take root. It’s a time of stillness, prayer, meditation, and introspection.
Often we rush through this part of a yoga class, already thinking about what we need to do next. Research is proving, however, that taking the time to absorb the benefits of stillness, prayer, and meditation will reap physical rewards.
Pausing promotes relaxation. It’s a break from the noise. Taking time to be still and quiet gives your nervous system a chance to regain balance and can affect your brain in ways not often considered.
In her book, Switch on Your Brain, Dr. Caroline Leaf explains scientific evidence that daily, focused prayer and meditation can change the brain to such an extent that it can be measured on a brain scan. It increases activity in brain areas associated with social interaction, compassion, and sensitivity to others.
She further explains that our thoughts are real, physical things that occupy mental real estate. Every day, we literally change the structure of our brains through our thoughts. Therefore, intentionally meditating on things that are hope-filled, encouraging, and restorative will change the structure of our brain in a positive direction. Maureen says,
At Dwell Yoga, we take time to rest and meditate on God’s truth, allowing new thoughts – positive thoughts – to take hold. Which, in our rushed lives, can be otherwise be missed, increasing the toll on our spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness.
Ready for Intentional Rest?
Our souls weren’t created to be in a constant hurry. We were designed to process thoughts one at a time, to reflect, and to focus on the person in front of us.
There are so many things competing for our time, the quality of our relationships, and for God’s presence in our lives. But the Bible is filled with beautiful words encouraging us to rest and un-rush.
We’re instructed to abide in Him, to meditate on his Word, and to be still.
Maureen added the extended Savasanas to Dwell Yoga’s class offerings several months ago with a sincere desire to create the space for her members and guests to enjoy deep rest.
It’s hard for most of us to take that time. Our minds our wandering and we’re always thinking about what we need to do next.
In the beginning, we may come to our yoga mats for a physical transformation, but that’s really the intro to the second part, which is the meditation and deep rest. I think we’re doing people a disservice if we make it all about the physical and then send them on their way…only giving them a two or three minute rest at the end of the practice.
Meet Maureen and her team of Instructors at Dwell Yoga Studio, and follow the Studio on social media: Facebook | Instagram
Also read: Dwell Yoga Studio in Frisco: Come As You Are