Sometimes going straight from a busy day into stillness can feel like a pretty big ask.

Gateway is the space between the two.

This gentle practice begins with simple movement to mobilize the spine, shoulders and side body, then gradually slows into longer, supported restorative shapes.

Rather than asking your body and mind to go from doing to still all at once, we use movement as a gateway into rest.

We’ll move, open and release before settling into a supported spinal twist and finishing with a deeply restful Stonehenge Savasana, with the lower legs elevated and fully supported.

The guided portion of the practice is about 20 minutes, but the ending is yours. Come out of Savasana with me, or let the practice end and stay exactly where you are for as long as you’d like.

You’ll need: a yoga mat, two blocks, a bolster or firm pillow, and a blanket.

I love this practice at the end of a long day, after work, before bed, or anytime you need a little help making the transition from go mode to rest mode.

In fact, this is the exact practice I did after long shift in PACU and I’m glad I happened to record it so I could share it with you. I silenced the chaos happening behind the door and calmly narrated over it later. 😂 I’m guessing you have your own version of chaos happening somewhere in the background, too.

That’s life. The practice still counts.

No perfect pose. No perfect practice. Just a way in.