More steadiness in your life without taking a month off.
Although, how nice would that be?
Virtual somatic yoga classes for midlife caregivers, helping professionals, activists and other humans who are carrying way too much.
You’re creative and fun.
At least, you used to be.
You’re doing your best to enjoy life, but there’s always a shit ton going on.
Maybe you’re caring for children, aging parents, animals, students, patients or some combination of the above.
You’re also navigating a changing body, complex relationships, not to mention a world you care deeply about but also wish you could hide from.
Maybe you wish you could stop snipping at your kids so much.
Or that you could get a good night’s sleep and show up fully for a change.
You’re super strong. You could keep pushing through.
But it’s scary how close to empty your gas gauge gets some days.
Where does your wellbeing fit in?
Rest & Digest- Virtual somatic yoga, live on zoom
One hour, once—or twice—a week when nobody needs anything from you.
Let’s get that battery charged because we both know…
You’ll be needed again soon!
“I want to share how unique and healing your approach is and how clearly you embody the principles you are sharing.”
“I’m very glad I reached out to you when I did as the caregiver me has been more than pressed upon for a long time now. I am even allowing myself to dream that the creative me could live beside all that I swim in right now rather than thinking it had to do with finding time. Really what you offer is space, time-less-ness, and the permission to soften as a matter of course.”
Naome - previous course participant
The world feels intense right now.
You’ve starting to feel like your computer screen is a prison
You wish you had more patience for your kids, parents, grade 3 students, new puppy…
Financial pressure feels like a permanent visitor in your belly
Your hormones have decided to take up base jumping. Amazing, wrinkles + acne
The vague resentment you’ve felt about being superwoman is morphing into something more like an active volcano
You’re fantasizing about a pottery retreat on a remote Scottish island when you should actually be working
You’re trying to keep up with the news but it feels like some kind of joke. Or nightmare…
When I first started teaching this class we joked that it should be called Tired Ladies Rolling on the Floor™.
Except… It’s not really a joke. It’s 100% accurate.
Yoga, meditation and somatic practice.
Specifically for caregivers, helping professionals, parents, activists, worried and weary humans in midlife and beyond, folks living with burnout, chronic illness/pain or anyone who is longing for permission to lie down.
You know how you’re so good at holding others?
Let’s do that for you.
These classes draw on yoga asana, somatic movement & meditation, self-massage and guided visualization so that:
You can reconnect with your body. You know, the one that exists beneath your neck and shoulders (which ache).
You can soften into a little appreciation for your amazing body. Even when it’s acting weird.
You have a chance to catch your breath and remember who you are. All the parts.
These are experiential sessions. That means less theory, more practice. Plus, small doses of gallows humour, occasional, tiny rants about the state of the world and a ton of radical encouragement.
Rest & Digest is a space to resource yourself so that later, when you step on something crunchy–literal or metaphorical–you can keep your shit together.
All the details.
When:
The fall session starts September 15th!
Live classes:
Tuesdays 10 AM- 11 AM ET
Thursdays 8 PM-9 PM ET
Where:
Option 1: Live via Zoom: Tap into the magic of shared practice.
Option 2: Access a select library of recorded classes in case you miss the occasional live session. Or, when you just need a little extra.
Price:
12-week fall session $200 CAD
Price includes access to EITHER/BOTH classes.
Come to class!
Meet Annie Bray (she/her)
I’m a Registered Massage Therapist & educator
My approach to teaching is informed by 20+ years of training and practice in massage therapy, trauma recovery, community mental health, nervous system support, meditation, yoga and somatics.
I’ve been guiding classes, workshops and retreats, both online and in person, for over twenty-five years.
For as long as I can remember I’ve been trying to figure out how to live in the modern world in a body that wasn’t built for it, on a planet that needs us to plug back in to her care.
“Thank you again for all of the wonderful teaching you are leading us through and the beautiful safe space you have created.”
“I’m feeling much more nourished, even as I grapple with some intense anxiety about returning to my job as a teacher this fall.”
Morgan/ Previous group participant
FAQs
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The focus in somatic yoga is less on alignment, strength or flexibility and more on embodied awareness, nervous system support and mindful self compassion.
If you practice yoga you will recognize some of the postures but you can expect to colour outside the lines a bit too, as I draw on a range of movements beyond traditional yoga asana.
All the movements and practices I teach can be modified skipped. It’s your practice.
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It’s possible to come to class in whatever you’re wearing with very little equipment.
However, here’s what I suggest bringing:
Comfy clothes for moving
Yoga mat
Pillow(s) or yoga bolster
Blanket or two
Extras:
Yoga block or book
Any props you enjoy using
Tea/ water
Anything you like to have around for extra comfort!
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Absolutely.
We will not be doing any fast or complicated poses or sequences, nor will be be doing any meditation or other practices that require previous experience.
It’s probably helpful if you are able to move from standing to sitting to lying down and back again without a ton of trouble, but if your mobility is lower than that feel free to reach out and we can chat about how to make it work.
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No, there is no expectation for you to unmute and talk or participate.
That being said, you are welcome to ask questions. Either during the class if urgent, or preferably at the end of class if not urgent!
Everyone will be invited to unmute at the end to say goodbye if you like.
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I want this class to have a sense of group connection, even if we’re not all together in the same room.
I also find it very hard teaching to a screen full of black squares, it just isn’t fulfilling!!
You are NOT required to keep your camera focused on you while you practice, it can be aimed at your bookshelf or the wall… It just feels way more connected if we start with a bit of visual connection and I can see who’s there.
Of course, if you’re having a rough day or for any reason need to make an exception that be accommodated.
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I hear you!!
It can feel nearly impossible to carve out this kind of time some days. And honestly, sometimes it actually IS impossible. All I can say is that you’re more likely to find an hour if you sign up, pay, put it in your calendar and tell people you’re busy.
You still might miss class sometimes but that’s what the library is for!
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While I do not record each class, there is a good library of select classes that you can access anytime you miss class or when you could use a little time to rest & digest :)
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Me too!
It can be really hard to toggle between “normal” modern life and practices that feel more intentional, contemplative and quiet.
I word to teach classes that offer a range of options and that allow you to explore what your body is needing in the moment.
It may not always feel easy or perfect, but you will always have choices.
Set aside one hour a week to join a class that’s designed for you.
A weekly yoga class isn’t going to solve all of our problems or the world’s heaviness.
That’s not the point, and it’s certainly not what I’m trying to do here.
I think sometimes we make rest too big.
We imagine that if we are this tired, the answer must be something equally enormous: a sabbatical, a retreat, a completely different life.
And sometimes big change is needed.
But often, if we stop plotting our escape and start making room for small but mighty opportunities to digest our stress, we can find relief inside the lives we have right now.
All that tension that’s been stuck in your shoulders since your dog got skunked last week?
How would it feel to let some of that melt into the floor right now?
I don’t believe the answer to an overwhelming life is getting better at tolerating overwhelm.
I want us to have places where we can put some of it down.
Not because an hour of gentle movement and rest will fix the world, make caregiving less demanding, or magically shorten our insane lists.
But because there is something quietly radical about refusing to abandon ourselves in order to keep up with life.
That’s what I want Rest & Digest to be.
Not another thing to do.
A place where, for one hour, you don’t have to hold quite so much by yourself.
