Agreements/Values

 

  1. We value and love ALL lives no matter gender, race, body-type, ability etc

  2. We value authentic connection and compassion for self and others

  3. We aim to create a safe container to promote healing

  4. We are not gurus/all-knowing folx, we are simply providing containers and practices for healing

  5. What is shared at Araminta remains confidential, we may share concepts/topics that are shared but we NEVER share people’s names and experiences that are named

  6. Authentic vulnerability is welcome here

  7. We listen and respond with compassion and grace 

  8. Be mindful of allowing other voices to be heard. 

  9. We utilize an agreed upon symbol to signify that we have finished speaking

About Rest

“Rest is a meticulous love practice”

— Tricia Hersey

Rest is an essential and powerful practice that results in a deeper connection to ourselves, others, the universe and the divine.

We live in a time and culture where rest is extremely undervalued. Instead we value productivity, busyness, accomplishments and externally focused “success.” 

We value doing rather than being. We value physical appearance rather than internal wellness. So we do more, to have more and we are exhausted, burnt out and on-edge.

So then we practice “self-care” by getting our nails done, treating ourselves to a nice meal, sitting on the couch watching tv etc. 


Do you even know what rest is? Do you ever rest outside of sleeping? 

Many of us are suffering from a rest-deficit because we do not understand the power of rest. A rest-deficit can show up as burn out, overwhelm, drinking 3 cups of a coffee just to get by, feeling tired constantly etc.

 

So what is rest?

Quite simply, rest is a spiritual practice. It is a practice of loving and caring for our mind, body and spirit. 

When we think of rest, we probably think of relaxing, sleeping, and chilling out. When we relax the body is free from tension, during sleep we are not conscious. Rest is a more powerful practice because during rest we are consciously releasing. 

When we rest we shift from a state of doing to a state of being, from a state of action to a state of recovery.

Rest as Resistance (or Reparations)

“Learning safety in stillness is important for people who are in a continual state of high alert, constantly navigating danger, and always looking for an escape route” (Parker, 72). 

Rest is healing

Rest is self-love

Rest is liberation

Rest is resistance

Rest is reparations

We rest in order to be present with our current experience and we rest in order to dream, imagine and create liberation.

We rest for our ancestors and friends/family that didn’t/don’t have access to rest.

We rest as an act of resistance to white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism, consumerism etc that seeks to rob us of our ability to rest.

When we are constantly doing and inundated with information and endless things to “do” we end up overworked, exhausted and burnt out, and not our best selves. 

In this state it is nearly impossible to imagine and dream of a better life, or even consider what is working and not working. We remain stuck in a state of survival. 

Rest gives us access to a different way of being, it allows us to consider where we are holding tension mentally, physically and emotionally. It allows us the space to consider what is working and what is not.

Why is rest important?

Rest gives you the opportunity to explore your relationship with yourself, the world around you and the divine.

Rest creates space for you to be in a state of reception. It makes space for you to be supported. Rest makes space for reinvigoration, restoration, reset and the ability to reimagine. 

Resting allows us to surrender our illusion of control and to simply be. 

“When your mind comes to stillness, your body relaxes. When your body relaxes, it involuntarily releases stress. The stress release can come as a thought, a memory, an image flashes of color, an involuntary sensation or movement, or an unexpected emotion”

— (Parker, 198)

 For many of us we are stuck in a state of doing and alertness. When we have chronic stress and anxiety our body is constantly on alert, on the lookout for threats even while we are sleeping. Even when we think we are “relaxing” often we aren’t fully as our body is stuck on alert. This is exhausting both physically and mentally and leads to dis-ease and an overtaxed sympathetic nervous system.  

Utilizing supportive rest practices helps stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, and makes it easier for your body to relax after stress. The more you practice, the more you feel safe in stillness and learn that a state of rest is possible. 

“Stress can overwhelm the nervous system and deactivate the body’s ability to heal itself. Your body knows how to function properly and bring itself back into balance. As long as the nervous system is relaxed, the body can be a self-healing organism” (Parker, 178). 

Benefits of resting include (Cherry):

  • Healing your mind, body and spirit

    • Strengthen your connection to your truest and highest self, the universe/divine, and your mind. 

  • Increased productivity 

  • Reduce stress

  • Increase creativity 

  • Improved decision making 

    • Rest allows space for fresh perspectives and to make decisions from a more grounded state. 

 Spoiler alert: Sleep ≠ Rest

While getting adequate and fulfilling sleep is vital to maintaining wellness, sleep is only 1 part of the 7 types of rest. This YouTube video does an excellent job of explaining this.

  • Mental Rest: We need time to quiet the mind and allow our brain to rest

  • Spiritual Rest: The ability to connect beyond the mental and physical, to a deep sense of belonging and purpose, to engage in something greater than yourself.

  • Emotional rest: Step into your authenticity and let go of people-pleasing. Be honest with how you are feeling. Avoid spiritual bypassing and toxic positivity. Allow yourself to feel the full range of your emotions, without judgement. 

  • Social Rest: It is imperative that we are aware of how social interactions affect us. To serve ourselves we must establish boundaries for interactions with people and situations that leave us feeling drained and exhausted while prioritizing time with people who energize and excite us. Emotional and social rest deficits often coexist.

  • Sensory Rest: Incorporate breaks from bright lights, computer screens, multiple convos and multitasking. Failure to do so can lead to sensory overload syndrome. 

  • Creative Rest: We can get stuck in left-brain logical activities, it’s important to tap into the creative right-side of your brain. Make time to enjoy the arts, feel inspired and observe beautiful images, landscapes, works of art etc. 

  • Physical Rest: Take time to be still, to allow your physical body to rest. 

 

Disclaimers:

 

Araminta Wellness offerings are meant for educational purposes only and are not substitutes for a relationship with a licensed or trained wellness practitioner. By attending any Araminta Wellness event, you agree that you understand that this program is not a clinical therapeutic service.