Labor Day: Time to Rest, Recover, and Maybe Even Yoga!

Ah, Labor Day—a glorious day dedicated to not laboring. It’s that sweet, sweet day off meant for resting, recharging, and giving yourself a well-deserved break. Whether your version of rest involves flipping burgers at a BBQ, lounging on the beach, or binge-watching Netflix, let’s agree on one thing: our bodies need rest.

But here’s the beauty of yoga: you don’t have to completely hit pause on your practice just because it’s a day of rest. Instead, you can shift gears and make it a more restorative experience. Think more breathing (pranayama) and less pretzel-like poses (asanas). Maybe today’s the day you indulge in a long, luxurious savasana. After all, yoga is as much about relaxation as it is about movement.

Why Rest Is Important (Yes, Even for Yogis)

Rest is not just for the lazy or Netflix enthusiasts—it's a key part of healing. That nagging shoulder pain? The stiff neck? The lower back that occasionally screams at you? Rest helps your body repair itself. And guess what? Yoga can actually speed up that process.

I can personally vouch for this. During the pandemic, yoga became my go-to remedy for my back and neck pain. At 56, I’m feeling more aligned, flexible, and energized than ever. And here’s the kicker: yoga taught me to let go of things that no longer serve me—physically and emotionally.

Mind and Body: The Ultimate Tag Team

We often think of our minds and bodies as separate—like two roommates who barely talk. But yoga reminds us that they’re actually a well-coordinated team. Emotional stress can sneak its way into your muscles, causing pain, while physical discomfort can turn even the sunniest mood into a storm cloud. The good news? Yoga has your back (and your shoulders, hips, and everything in between).

Healing isn’t just about fixing physical injuries. It’s also about dealing with the emotional baggage that often comes with them. Yoga’s holistic approach tackles both, making sure you’re taking care of your body and your mind.

A Quick Check-In for Labor Day

So, on this Labor Day, why not take a moment to tune into your body? Here’s a super simple way to do it:

1. Ground Yourself: Sit or stand with your feet flat on the ground. Close your eyes and feel that solid earth beneath you.

2. Scan Your Body: From head to toe, notice any tension or discomfort. Shoulders, forehead, jaw—any tight spots? Take note.

3. Breathe: Inhale deeply, sending air to those tense areas, and exhale slowly, letting the tension melt away. Do this three times. Trust me, it’s worth it.

4. Observe: How’s your body feeling? If you’re feeling great, celebrate it! Move through the world with joy today. If not, that’s okay too. Take the information and decide what your body needs—whether it’s a gentle yoga session, a warm bath, or simply taking it easy.

Remember, your body is designed to heal. It wants to heal. Sometimes, it just needs a little help finding the right path. Yoga offers that path by combining movement, breath, and mindfulness, leading you toward a sense of unity—within yourself and with the world around you. (Fun fact: Did you know that “yoga” literally means union?)

So if you’re fortunate enough to have a long weekend, take some time to rest, recover, and restore. And let go of anything that’s no longer serving you. You’ve earned it.

Click HERE or watch the video below for a gentle Chair Yoga practice on YouTube. Or choose something that fits your mindset today. Subscribing, liking, commenting and sharing are all things that will help the channel to grow and to reach more people with free yoga practices that can heal and restore.