Deep Rest (with Gong)

This workshop offers an embodied experience of deep rest.

Even if we have the best intentions, when left to our own devices, we can struggle to find time to wind down, let go and simply be. Our ‘always on’ culture fetishes productivity and activity at all costs. It’s a radical act of self-care to step away from this programming and sink into deep relaxation. This is an invitation to prioritise yourself, your body and the present moment, to drop into being instead of doing.

In this 2 hr session, we will work with evidence-based tools, designed to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. In particular, we will work with the vagus nerve, heart rate coherence and activating the mammalian caregiving system.

You will be guided through a series of exercises and relaxation techniques, including a vocal activation, and we will end with a relaxing gong bath. The workshop may include light movement, warming the body up, light breath work, meditation, mindfulness, self-compassion practices, self-massage, some pair work, vocal activation and toning, and a sound bath. In the first half of the workshop, you may be sitting or standing, and in the second half, you will be invited to lie down.

Wear whatever you feel comfortable resting in, for example, soft, loose-fitting clothes; you may want to have some layers to keep warm as you will be lying down for part of the session. You may want to bring comfy items to rest with, such as an eye mask, blankets or cushions, sheep skins or a yoga mat. There will be a limited number of cushions and yoga mats in the space.