“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.” – Anne Lamott.
Dear Beautiful Yogis,
I've talked about the importance of rest, self-care and slowing down at great length in previous Yogi Notes but it's something that we as a modern society struggle with. We live in a world that celebrates action, productivity, and doing more. Rest, on the other hand, is often seen as a reward for hard work, something we “earn” after we’ve checked everything off the list. But here’s the truth—rest isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
In yoga, we learn that balance isn’t just about movement and effort; it’s also about stillness and surrender. Just as a tree grows not only in the sunlight but in the quiet of the night, and in fact some plants only bloom at night! Like the trees and the night-blooming plants, we too need moments of deep rest to restore, integrate, and flourish.
So let’s talk about why slowing down is essential for growth, and how we can embrace it—both on and off the mat. (Because if you are anything like me, you struggle with actual proper rest, not scrolling on social media, not gardening, not staring mindlessly at the television, but proper downtime, to be present and alive in the moment.)
Rest is the Foundation of Strength
In yoga, we move through Savasana, the final resting pose, as an essential part of the practice—not as an afterthought, but as the moment where everything settles, integrates, and transforms. It is in these moments of deep stillness that our bodies heal, our minds clear, and our energy renews.
When we continuously push ourselves, whether in our physical practice or daily lives, without allowing for true rest, we end up draining our prana (life force energy). Over time, this leads to burnout, fatigue, and even injury. Rest isn’t just about stopping, it’s about creating space for recovery, insight, and expansion.
The Nervous System and the Science of Rest
Our nervous system has two main branches:
🌿 Sympathetic (Fight or Flight) – The active, energized state that helps us respond to challenges and get things done.
🌿 Parasympathetic (Rest & Digest) – The restorative state that allows the body to heal, repair, and find balance.
While both are necessary, many of us spend far too much time in the fight-or-flight mode—rushing, striving, constantly engaged. This overstimulation leaves little time for the body to drop into deep relaxation, where true healing happens. It can also trigger the freeze response, where the body is so pumped with fear or overwhelm it goes into inaction.
Yoga, breathwork, and meditation help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, shifting us into a state of calm and renewal. This is why, after a well-balanced yoga class, a Yin Yoga class or Yoga Nidra session, you feel deeply restored, your nervous system is finally getting what it needs.
Making Rest a Priority in Your Practice
At The Yoga Pantry, we believe in creating balance—movement and stillness, effort and ease, Yin and Yang. That’s why we offer dedicated spaces for deep rest, allowing you to slow down, breathe, and truly recharge.
💜 Tuesday Evenings @ 7.15pm we have a wonderful Yin Yoga Session with singing bowls to further enhance your restorative experience.
This is a gentle, grounding practice that focuses on long-held, deep stretches to release tension and bring the body into a state of ease, it helps release stuck fascia and creates space to turn inwards. Yin allows us to practice patience and surrender—both on the mat and in life.
💤 Wednesday Evenings @ 7.15pm Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep)
A guided meditation that takes you into a state between wakefulness and sleep, where the mind and body deeply relax, and subconscious healing occurs. This practice is perfect for those struggling with stress, anxiety, or restlessness. It's often prescribed to people suffering from anxiety and PTSD.
🌸 Upcoming Restorative Workshops in April and June yay!
We’ll also be hosting some special 2-hour Restorative Yoga Workshops, where you’ll be fully supported with props, guided breathwork, and gentle poses designed to release stress and tension. Check out our workshop page for more information.
Rest is Not the Opposite of Progress—It’s Part of It
We often think that doing more is the key to success, but in reality, rest allows us to show up more fully in everything we do. When we prioritize slowing down, we become more present, more focused, and more in tune with what we truly need.
So if you’ve been feeling tired, scattered, or uninspired, maybe it’s not because you need to push harder—maybe you just need to rest, to breathe, to let go.
Give yourself permission to pause. Trust that in stillness, everything is falling into place.
We can’t wait to share these deeply restorative practices with you. Join us in embracing rest as a powerful part of your journey.
What's happening in The Pantry? 🧘♀️
Beginner Yoga Courses Are back and in full swing.
This is a fantastic course that I have honed over a decade of teaching it to hundreds of new yoga enthusiasts. I love teaching it. I love sharing it and I love seeing the results the students get from just 8 sessions of consistent practice.
It really is a fantastic course to upskill or start your yoga journey, and we have plenty of people take it as a refresher every year or so as well as bring their friends and family.
If you need a refresher or just want to ease back into your practice join us either on a Monday or Thursday evening and bring a friend ;)
SIGN UP TODAY and enjoy the myriad benefits of a regular yoga practice, plus be part of the best darn beginner yoga course in town.
MALA, MANTRA AND MANIFESTATION WORKSHOP
This doesn't come around that often (maybe once every few years) so grab one of the super limited spots in the class and learn how to make your own hand-knotted mala, that you can use in your meditation practice or to curb your anxiety. Learn how to use it effectively and learn a super amazing manifestation ritual while you're at it :)
It's time to manifest your best life for 2025 and beyond.
All the deets are right here I can't wait to share this wonderful workshop with you, so book your spot and join me at the end of THIS month!
Restorative Yoga Workshop
Your beloved 2 hours of restorative yoga is back in April and June.
Restorative yoga is a completely different experience than most other styles of yoga. Restorative yoga is a restful practice that is all about slowing down and opening your body through passive stretching. If you take a restorative class, you may hardly move at all, doing just a few postures over the course of the session. It is a practice of deep relaxation that emphasizes the meditative aspect of yoga—the union of body and mind. Through the use of props for support, many of the postures are held almost effortlessly.
Head here to book your sessions and join Tash for a restful evening of deep relaxation.
Don't forget our NEW SUNDAY MORNING class :)
Join Ele for an exploration of your being every Sunday morning at 9.30am!
Head here to book all your regular yoga classes
Remember you can join us online from anywhere in the world, live or at a time that suits you with our instant 14-day on-demand Zoom recording!
Don't forget you can also join us for a FREE meditation session every Saturday morning, and even if you can't you can book in via Zoom and do the meditation later in the day :)
Something a little different :)
As we've got lots of new teachers joining us this year I thought I would do a little Get To Know Your Teacher Series and since I'm talking about rest and restoration let's start with Francesca our resident Yoga Nidra expert.
Professional Background
- What inspired you to start teaching yoga? Ashram Yoga inspired me to teach. The lineage is ancient and authentic and the practices very effective.
- How long have you been practising and teaching yoga? I’ve been practising for over 25 years and teaching for 13.
- What styles of yoga do you teach or love practising the most? I practice and teach classical Hatha Yoga.
- What’s your teaching philosophy or approach to yoga? Keep it simple, make it beautiful, be real.
- What’s your favourite yoga pose and why? Shavasana. Badly needed at all times, by most of us.
- What’s the one thing you want students to take away from your classes? Awareness of breath flowing in and out.
Personal Insights
- What’s something unique about your yoga journey or practice? I love to practice in nature, and to always bring the benefit off the mat.
- What are your go-to ways to unwind outside of yoga? Gardening, reading, walking. Also love a good glass of wine with a good friend.
- Do you have a morning or evening routine that keeps you grounded? I open every day with a simple Thich Nhat Hanh’s meditation on gratitude, always the same for many years.
- What’s your favourite way to incorporate mindfulness into daily life? Gratitude. Bubbles of awareness to all the beauty around me. Insight Timer.
Fun & Quirky
- If you could invite any 3 people (alive or historical) to a yoga class, who would they be and why? Gabor Mate’, Emma Thompson, my Dad - all three because of their wealth of knowledge about people.
- What’s the most unexpected thing in your yoga bag? My aroma spritz for the mat?
- Describe yourself in three words! Sunny, unsatisfied, soft.
- Do you have a favourite mantra, quote, or affirmation you live by? Abhyasa: constant practice (not only on the mat)
Studio Connection
- What do you love most about teaching at The Yoga Pantry? Natasya, the community and the magic space.
- What’s your favourite thing about The Yoga Pantry community? Real, warm and varied.
- What makes your classes unique or special? Yoga Nidra is like the gift you never expect: takes you deep without confronting you.
Quickfire Round (One-word answers or short phrases)
- Favourite yoga prop: Warm blanket
- Favourite yoga playlist vibe: Nature sounds
- Tea or coffee?: Both! Italian macchiato & fruity teas
- Favourite local spot to relax: Any beach, waterfront
- One thing you can’t live without: People
See you on the mat!
Let’s unplug, recharge, and embrace rest together. 🌿✨
With love & deep exhalations,
Tash x
P.P.S Don’t forget to share your Yoga insights on social media with the hashtag #TheYogaPantryLife #Yogaislife
Let’s spread the yoga love far and wide!
I see you, and I appreciate you, you are awesome x
