GODDESS OF CHILL

words by Lynette Suchar

It came out of nowhere, the name Goddess of Chill. I was only trying to set a light tone for the second half of the workshop. But it stuck.  I have come to realize how important the pause is, the space between. We rush around all the time, all day, all week, all year, no matter who we are or what we do for a living. Our fast-paced culture has deemed success as be more, do more, have more, move more, buy more. There is an ongoing dialogue on how technology, which was intended to allow us more free time instead has made us busier, always available, always on. I am not knocking down technology. I am on Instagram, showing off photos as often as the rest. But, I believe it is time to embrace the space between. It is time to also pause. To know it is okay to stop for a moment and to leap over our fears of missing out.

This realization of the importance of pausing in the space between, of letting go of needing to be busy, to be productive, of not worrying if we miss out on something, is reflected in my teaching more and more, which is why I love teaching restorative and yin yoga. As you move about your never-ending day, give yourself permission to slow your stride down to look up and notice the way the blue sky is peeking through the fluttering purple lilacs; pause for a moment in your yoga practice to feel the way your foot squishes into the mat and the way your breath swirls around your body as you exhale.

My Goddess of Chill workshop at Prairie Love Festival is perfectly situated at the very beginning of day two, the space between a busy first day spent inverting, dancing, and blissing out, and an exciting second day. This little class gives you the opportunity to get up early, reset your nervous system, fill up your well, and start fresh.

Sit, breathe, rest, get to know the place within that is craving calm. Notice how that pause is an essential tool for a balanced and healthy life.