Book Review: Rest & Calm by Paula Hines

What an absolute gem this new book by Paula Hines is!

It’s a wonderfully practical, affordable and accessible guide to Restorative Yoga, which I’ve already been recommending to anyone who is interested in making more time and space to rest.

In the first part of the book, REST, Paula explains why Restorative Yoga can be so nourishing before guiding you through how to set up a host of Restorative Yoga poses. Even better, she offers lots of options for how to practise different poses and really useful suggestions for makeshift props, which most of us have at home like bed pillows, cushions, blankets, books and towels. So you don’t need to spend lots of money buying special equipment.

There are loads of suggested sequences too, from ‘5 minute rescue’ sessions to practices for when you have more time. These include sequences designed to help with anxiety, fatigue, depression, grief, PMS, all stages of menopause, insomnia and burnout … to name a few.

In part two, CALM, Paula offers practical tips and techniques for finding calm throughout your day. Here you’ll find numerous breathing techniques, mudras, some yoga nidras, meditations and some great journaling ideas/contemplations. One of my favourite ideas was Paula’s simple suggestion that before you get out of bed each morning you ask yourself one question: ‘How would I like to feel today?’ and let that guide you throughout the day ahead.

If you'd like to carve out more time to rest and nurture yourself both on and off your yoga mat, treat yourself to Rest & Calm.

It’s one of the best Restorative Yoga books I’ve read.