Rest vs. Activity: Sukha & Sthira

I’ve been talking about balancing rest and activity a lot lately. I found this amazing article from beyondhealth.com, it emphasizes why rest is important, how stress affects us, the harmony of yin & yang, and even has suggestions for how to find more rest in your day.

It inspired me to take a deeper dive and share with you how this connects further to yoga practice and finding balance both on and off the mat. In yoga philosophy, this concept is known as “sukha” and “sthira”.

“Sthira” = effort, strength, and stability

“Sukha” = ease, comfort, rest

So in yoga, sukha and sthira is the balance between effort and ease. Work and rest. Strength and relaxation. Challenge and comfort.

And most likely, you are showing up to class looking for this exact balance. You want to move and work your body, but also want to rest and relax!

The concept of balance is something that is clearly weaved throughout my (or any!) yoga classes. That’s obvious right? You probably immediately thought of standing in Tree pose or another balancing posture!

We also keep the body balanced by doing the same poses on the right side (sun) and left (moon).

We tune in throughout the class to check in with our body, noticing the two sides and even how they may differ.

Breathing of course is also something we balance and connect with. Inhale, Exhale. Breath in - fill up, breath out - let it go!

By practicing yoga, you are learning to find this balance on the mat. Even a practice for just 10 minutes each day can really make a difference in helping you feel and achieve more balance, ease and stability during the other 23 hours and 50 minutes of the day!

How else do you find this balance in your daily life? Chances are you are doing more work than resting. Where can you fit more rest into your day?

I’d love to know if you found the concept of sukha and sthira interesting and how it has inspired you to create more balance and harmony!

Be well my friend.

🖤Christie

© Christie Trksak Gibertini | Divine Child Yoga LLC | www.divinechildyoga.com