Hey there Yogis!
Summer has arrived, and with it, the gentle invitation to rest.
But can we truly allow ourselves to slow down?
Can we give ourselves permission to do nothing?
Today, many of us feel pressured to extract productivity from every last nanosecond of our lives, often measuring our worth as human beings by how much we accomplish.
In a society that glorifies hard work, doing nothing is often associated with laziness or lack of ambition.
Yet doing nothing is not the same as procrastination.
We are here not only to create — but also to experience and enjoy life.
And enjoyment requires space.
Stillness.
Presence.
When we allow ourselves to pause, we enter the realm of being, where natural healing and transformation can occur.
Of course, not everyone has the privilege of unlimited free time.
But perhaps we can all allow ourselves ten minutes each day to let go, to be quiet, and to simply exist.
As poet Mary Oliver reminds us:
"It could mean something.
It could mean everything."
I. Invitation by Mary Oliver
Oh, do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles
for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,
or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air
as they strive melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine
and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude —
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,
do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.
It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant when he wrote:
You must change your life.
II. Supta Baddha Konasana
Reclining Bound Angle Pose
If you feel the need to rest, this is a beautiful pose to explore.
Supta Baddha Konasana invites the body into deep relaxation while gently opening areas that often hold tension.
As you lie on your back with the soles of the feet together and knees softly falling open, the chest, abdomen, groin, and legs gradually release.
The breath slows.
The nervous system softens.
The mind becomes quieter.
This posture can help restore energy and reconnect you with a grounded sense of calm.
It may also support relief from menstrual discomfort, PMS symptoms, and digestive tension.
Take Supta Baddha Konasana whenever you feel the need to reconnect with stillness.
How to practice Supta Baddha Konasana.
Source: Yoga Journal.
III. The White Lotus | Series
Set in a luxurious tropical resort in Hawaii, The White Lotus follows the experiences of guests and employees over the course of a week.
Created by Mike White, the HBO series explores themes of privilege, identity, inequality, and the subtle tensions that shape human relationships.
Through moments that are both humorous and uncomfortable, the series reveals the invisible social structures that influence behavior and perception.
Each episode gradually uncovers the personal histories and emotional complexities of the characters, highlighting how individuals often become entangled in systems and patterns they struggle to escape.
While not always an easy watch, The White Lotus offers a compelling reflection on modern society, empathy, and self-awareness.
Alternately ironic, thought-provoking, and emotionally revealing, it is a series that invites deeper reflection.
Watch the official trailer.
Thank you for reading, and please feel free to share your thoughts with us.
If you missed our previous newsletters about being liberated through yoga, honoring peace, improving mental health, embracing vulnerability, and more, you can explore them anytime.
Xoxo
Treelance Yoga
