Summary

Rest is not just a trendy self-care product that you can purchase. Lou Thomas (they/them), the guest of this episode, defines radical rest as an interruption to systems of violence. Join Brea Johnson in conversation with Lou, a queer, neurodivergent, non-binary yoga teacher and embodiment specialist, as they discuss the transformative concept of radical rest. They explore how rest goes beyond mere sleep to become a form of resistance against systemic violence and a crucial self-care practice. They emphasize the need to identify and challenge the societal systems that impact our well-being, advocating for restorative practices tailored to individual needs.

About Lou Thomas

Lou Thomas is a dedicated yoga teacher and embodiment specialist based in Brighton, UK. Their work is deeply rooted in accessibility, trauma-informed approaches, and intersectional anti-oppression, focusing on empowering the LGBTQIA+ community. Lou's classes and workshops are designed to be accessible and playful, providing a safe space for individuals to explore their bodies and identities in a supportive environment.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodybitsbrighton/?hl=en

Website: https://www.bodybitsbrighton.com/

If you're inspired by this conversation and looking to deepen your practice of radical rest, you can find Lou teaching classes at Heart + Bones Online yoga school, including a 60-minute radical rest class.

Start a studio trial: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

More Sleep Resources:

If you're looking for support and consistency to help improve your sleep and stress levels, The Better Sleep Program is FREE as a member of Heart + Bones Online.

Explore the program and start your free trial to here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/better-sleep-program/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

02:47 The Philosophy of Radical Rest

09:14 Implementing Restorative Practices

36:05 Conclusion and Continuing the Conversation

Stay connected with Lou's journey and continuous advocacy for radical rest and social change through their Instagram and website.

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Follow Brea on Instagram for tips and inspiration.

Did you know that one in two people develop sleep problems or insomnia after experiencing a loss? Dr. Mekel Harris (she/her), a licensed psychologist specializing in grief and loss, joins Brea Johnson to explore the effects of grief on sleep and the nervous system. Dr. Harris shares not only personal insights, but her professional expertise on finding ease during life’s most challenging times, whether due to the grief of losing a loved one or significant life changes.

She emphasizes the importance of normalizing sleep disruptions associated with grief and offers practical strategies to support the nervous system through gentle movement, somatic practices, and grounding exercises. Dr. Harris advocates for intentionally scheduling time to grieve and discusses the lifelong nature of grief, providing listeners with tools to manage their experiences constructively and compassionately.

If you enjoy this episode you can also find Dr. Mekel Harris inside Heart + Bones Online yoga studio leading classes on the topic of grief.

Start a studio trial today.

About Dr. Mekel Harris

Dr. Mekel Harris, Ph.D., NCSP, PMH-C, is a renowned psychologist and grief specialist who has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate the complexities of loss. After the profound impact of her mother's passing, Dr. Harris redirected her focus to specialize in grief and loss, aiming to provide the support she once needed herself. She combines talk therapy with somatic practices in a compassionate approach, enhancing her clients' healing journeys.

Instagram

Website

More Sleep Resources:

If you're looking for support and consistency to help improve your sleep and stress levels, The Better Sleep Program is FREE as a member of Heart + Bones Online.

Explore the program and start your free trial to here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/better-sleep-program/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:55 The Impact of Grief on Sleep

05:58 Supporting the Nervous System with Gentle Movement and Somatic Practices

09:09 Scheduling Time for Grief and Creating Routine

11:58 Leaning into Discomfort: Embracing Grief as a Lifelong Process

Join Brea on Instagram for tips and inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/heartandbonesyoga/

Can building a deeper relationship to the land help with sleep? Discover the wisdom of plants, their lifecycle, and how they support rest, sleep, and even dream work with Leigh Joseph (she/her), PhD, founder of the Squamish-based plant-based skincare business Skwalwen Botanicals. Leigh joins Brea Johnson to explore the deep connections between plants, people, and the places they inhabit.

In this episode, Leah shares insights from her dual perspective as an ethnobotanist and a member of the Squamish First Nation. She discusses the importance of establishing reciprocal relationships with plants and the land, emphasizing the role of Indigenous plant knowledge in nurturing these connections.

Leigh explains the wisdom of plants, their lifecycle, and how they support rest, sleep, and even dream work. She illustrates how plants like mint and coastal sage can soothe and prepare us for sleep, and how plants appear in our dreams to teach us. The episode also covers the transformative power of visualization practices in connecting us to meaningful places and memories, offering a meaningful way to engage with the natural world, even from urban settings.

About Leigh Joseph

Leigh Joseph, also known by her ancestral name Styawat, is a trained ethnobotanist, researcher, activist, and the Indigenous founder of Sḵwálwen, a plant-based skincare company dedicated to sustainable and culturally informed practices. As a mother, wife, daughter, and community leader within the Squamish Nation, she integrates Western scientific methods with the rich teachings from her community to foster deeper connections between people and the natural world. Her work is driven by a passion to heal the intergenerational effects of cultural trauma, protecting collective knowledge and bringing indigenous plants into modern wellness practices.

Website

Instagram @skwalwenbotanicals

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Enjoy tips and inspiration on Instagram.

More Sleep Resources:

If you're looking for support and consistency to help improve your sleep and stress levels, The Better Sleep Program is FREE as a member of Heart + Bones Online.

Explore the program and start your free trial to here.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Description of Skincare Business

02:23 Leigh Joseph's Background as an Ethnobotanist

05:13 The Importance of Reconnecting with Nature

09:01 The Simplicity and Wisdom of Plants

11:24 Plants that Support Rest and Sleep

20:07 Trusting the Intangible and Listening to the Natural World

24:54 Honouring and Respecting the Natural World as a Radical Act

28:08 The Healing Power of Visualization Practices

30:00 Reconnecting with Indigenous Heritage through the Land

36:23 Finding Meaning in Small Acts of Connection with Nature

What if our daily struggles with energy and sleep aren't just personal problems, but a clash between modern life and ancient biological rhythms? Jessa Gamble she/her, an award-winning science writer and journalist, takes us into the world of circadian rhythms in this episode. Through her book The Siesta and the Midnight Sun, Jessa explores how deeply these rhythms are embedded in the fabric of all living organisms, influencing our alertness, health, and even emotional well-being.

Jessa discusses the profound impact of artificial light on our natural sleep cycles and how societal pressures further skew our body clocks. She advocates for realigning our lives with the natural cycles of light and darkness to not only improve sleep but also enhance our overall health.

About Jessa Gamble

Jessa Gamble is a prominent Canadian science writer and co-owner of the Last Word on Nothing blog. Her fascination with how circadian rhythms shape life on Earth has led her to explore how aligning more closely with these natural patterns could revolutionize our approach to health and productivity. Jessa’s insights challenge us to rethink our daily routines and advocate for a healthier integration of natural rhythms in a technology-driven world.

Blog: https://www.lastwordonnothing.com/

Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/417234/the-siesta-and-the-midnight-sun-by-jessa-gamble/9780143185857

More Sleep Resources:

If you're looking for support and consistency to help improve your sleep and stress levels, The Better Sleep Program is FREE as a member of Heart + Bones Online.

Explore the program and start your free trial to here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/better-sleep-program/

Chapters

00:00 The Fascination with Circadian Rhythms

04:20 The Role of Light in Regulating Circadian Rhythms

09:04 Cultural and Societal Influences on Sleep Patterns

13:16 Prioritizing Rest and Honoring Biological Needs

29:21 Living in Sync with the Natural Light-Dark Cycle

39:45 Recreating a 12-Hour Light-Dark Cycle for Better Sleep

43:31 The Benefits of Restful Practices for Sleep

Start a studio trial: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

Enjoy tips and inspiration on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartandbonesyoga/

What? Don't get good at teaching? Yes, my friends! In this episode, we talk about how allowing yourself to make mistakes, and always learning is the secret to being a good teacher. So take a big sigh of relief and enjoy not being good at teaching :)

Yoga teachers!

Want to try this playful, loving and accessible approach to yoga for yourself (and to inspire your practice and teaching?)

Explore the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for $ for 1 month? Use this promocode: PODCASTLOVE

Sign up here

Daily Tips and Inspiration:

Instagram: @heartandbonesyoga

YouTube: heartandbonesyoga

TikTok: @heartandbonesyoga

www.heartandbonesyoga.com

If you're curious about Heart + Bones and our mobility and heart-focused approach to yoga, our online studio and yoga teacher education courses, learn more here.

Do you label your classes, "level one" or things like advanced, beginner? This is a common practice in the yoga world and in this episode, we talk about how that might actually be doing more harm than good for yourself and those coming to your classes.

But don't worry, we don't leave you there! We also look at some helpful ways you can update the way you label or what you call your classes.

Yoga teachers!

Want to try this playful, loving and accessible approach to yoga for yourself (and to inspire your practice and teaching?)

Explore the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for $ for 1 month? Use this promocode: PODCASTLOVE

Sign up here

Daily Tips and Inspiration:

Instagram: @heartandbonesyoga

YouTube: heartandbonesyoga

TikTok: @heartandbonesyoga

www.heartandbonesyoga.com

If you're curious about Heart + Bones and our mobility and heart focused approach to yoga, our online studio and yoga teacher education courses, learn more here.

You're not alone if you've ever thought that you aren't a good enough teacher if you can't do all the poses. But is it true?

Absolutely not!

You don't have to be able to do all the poses in order to teach them and this episode dives into all the reasons why. We also take time to explore what a good yoga teacher is and isn't.

Enjoy this episode that will remind you how amazing and perfect you already are as a teacher!

If you love this episode, share on social!

Your host: Brea Johnson, lead teacher and founder of Heart + Bones Yoga

Yoga teachers!

Want to try this playful, loving and accessible approach to yoga for yourself (and to inspire your practice and teaching?)

Explore the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for $ for 1 month? Use this promocode: PODCASTLOVE

Sign up here

Daily Tips and Inspiration:

Instagram: @heartandbonesyoga

YouTube: heartandbonesyoga

TikTok: @heartandbonesyoga

www.heartandbonesyoga.com

If you're curious about Heart + Bones and our mobility and heart focused approach to yoga, our online studio and yoga teacher education courses, learn more here.