Rest for Resilience and Revolution
Rest for Resilience and Revolution
WHY THIS PRACTICE:
This is a restorative and restful practice. Resting is an act of resistance: not only are we preparing and garnering energy for the movement, we are directly acting against the capitalist paradigm that teaches us only our labor is valued. We are worthy of rest. Rest can make change
Options, Props, Activity Level:
OPTIONS FOR PRACTICE:
The full practice is 25 minutes. Here are time signatures for poses, so you may tailor your experience.
I Props + Preparation (legs up the wall variations), 0:51
II Practice Begin (legs up the wall), 3:06
III Supine Twist, 8:30
IV Supported Child’s Pose, 13:52
V Heart Opening Options, 16:32
VI Easeful Lower Body Stretches, 20:10
VII Final Rest, 24:41
Here are a few options for shorter practices:
10 min for legs- II, VI, VII
10 min for exhaustion and re-energizing- II, IV, VII
15 min for upper back- II, III, V, VII
15 min for lower back- II, III, IV, VII
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
A wall or chair, cushions or pillows, possibly a strap or belt. Please find what you will need to be comfortable: blanket, music, water, candle, whatever helps you carve out time and space for yourself. I like to have a notepad and pen by my mat so I can write down any thoughts that would otherwise keep me distracted, so I can address them later.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:
This practice is restorative, with very light stretching at the end. The entire practice is on the floor (the bed is fine too ;).
A NOTE ON TRAUMA: I am not a ‘trauma-informed’ trained teacher. I am an anti-racist organizer and yoga teacher who is sharing my healing journey and who believes in making healing accessible to all.
LANGUAGE: In this practice, I refer to “we” and “us” as a form of community, and I refer to “you” as an acknowledgement of your presence. It is not meant to infer that you will be or should be doing any particular action with your body, so please disregard what doesn’t feel applicable to you. I have also tried to offer options and modifications.
PRENATAL: This practice is not designed for those pregnant, but if you are pregnant, please avoid lying on the belly, twisting, and if you are in the second and 3rd trimester, avoid lying directly on the back.
DONATIONS: If this video is helpful to you and you would like to make a monetary contribution, please visit https://www.northstarhealthcollective..., https://m4bl.org/, or donate to an organization uplifting Black leadership, wellness, and/or reparations. If you are able to donate further and would like to make a contribution towards my labor, I welcome it at @Alicia-Ohs at Venmo. I also accept words of encouragement, emojis, likes, and acts of community care as contributions!
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: This video was made in Brooklyn, NY- land stolen from the Lenape people. I invite you to take time in your practice to acknowledge who came before you.
LIABILITY: This video is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. By participating, you accept full responsibility for any liability, injury, loss, or damage in any way connected with your participation in this video and release Alicia Ohs, Grow Yoga, and all associated from any and all claims, actions, damages, liabilities, losses, costs, and expenses, including, without limitation, attorney’s fees, in any way arising out of, or resulting from, your participation in this video.
Pictured: a mixed-race Asian person wearing a green shirt. The backdrop curtain and floor are white, with a yoga mat with cushions and a sleeping dog.