Books on Rest

Is rest a practice for you?

Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash

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If you happen to be caught up in the pace of the holiday season, rest might be the furthest thing from your mind or feel impossible to contemplate. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Here in the northern hemisphere it’s winter, the yin time of year, which calls us to turn inward and embrace rest. There are of course a number of types of rest, but regardless of the season, making space for rest can be easier said than done when life is life-ing.

With this in mind, I wanted to share a few books on rest that might offer you some encouragement, practical guidance and support:

Rest + Calm: Gentle yoga and mindful practices to nurture and restore yourself (Green Tree, Bloomsbury, 2022)

In shameless plug, I am of course including my book here.

As a yoga practitioner of more than 20 years, I’ve been inviting people to rest since 2012, particularly via restorative yoga, which Rest + Calm is grounded in.

In a world that wants you to keep going no matter what, Rest + Calm is your gentle, accessible guide to making space and time to come back home to yourself.

Do you struggle to give yourself permission to pause? In Rest + Calm I show you how – whether you only have time for three breaths or a five-minute rescue posture, or can practise for half an hour. You'll reap the rewards in greater clarity, sounder sleep, happier relationships, better boundaries and improved resilience.

NB - **Until 8 December you can get 30% off my book as part of the Christmas sale at bloomsbury.com (UK, USA, Canada and Australia)**

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Radiant Rest: Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation & Awakened Clarity by Tracee Stanley (Shambhala, 2021)

This is a wonderful guide to yoga nidra featuring six key practices from a deeply knowledgeable teacher who I’ve had the privilege of studying with.

If you can access the audiobook as well as the print version then you’ll benefit from Tracee’s soothing voice guiding you through the various practices.

You can also find Tracee on Substack. And you might be interested in her Radiant Rest Podcast.

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Pause Rest Be: Stillness Practices for Courage in Times of Change by Octavia F. Raheem (Shambhala, 2022)

Via three foundational restorative yoga poses, experienced teacher and rest coach, Octavia Raheem shares reflections, teachings and practices to help you through times of challenge with grace and courage.

Deeply spiritual, I really enjoy the poetic nature of Octavia’s writing here.

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Last but not most certainly not least:

Rest is Resistance: Free yourself from grind culture and reclaim your life by Tricia Hersey

If you’re familiar with The Nap Ministry (founded by Tricia Hersey in 2016) you will no doubt have heard of Rest is Resistance.

This best-selling book is indeed a manifesto for rest and a call-to-action.

A must read.

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Over to you – I’d love to know:

• Have you read / listened to any of the above books?

• Are there any other books on rest that you would recommend, especially any by authors from under-represented backgrounds?