Learning to Rest
I’ve been unwell for a full week now, with a deep migraine-like pain that settled behind my eyes and refused to lift. My temperature climbed to 38.5, and after a rough weekend I ended up in A&E on Monday. I’ve been signed off work for the rest of the week, which has been disappointing but absolutely essential.
Practising asana has been nearly impossible. Even looking at screens or listening to anything has been a struggle, though a couple of colour-adapting apps have been a small saving grace when I do need to use the laptop. I’ve managed just a couple of short study sessions and did make it to one restorative yoga class on Tuesday evening, but otherwise it has been a challenging time.
It isn’t easy to surrender to healing that demands time and patience. I’m very grateful that this happens to be a catch-up week in the training schedule. No class tonight feels like a quiet blessing.
I’m still reading the Bhagavad Gita whenever I can manage a few pages and keeping up with gentle yoga nidra and meditation. What amazes me most is that no matter what shape the body is in, yoga always finds a way to meet it. There is always a practice that fits. Even the simplest act of slowing down and staying with the breath becomes enough.
🧘 Practices That Supported Me This Week
I reached a point where I needed to research what might help. I found many people speaking highly of the following three practices and two mudras for migraine relief.
🌬 Nadi Shodhana / Alternate Nostril Breathing
After some research, I tried Nadi Shodhana during the worst of the migraine. It is said to gently balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain by alternating the breath between the two nostrils, which can support clearer thinking and reduce the sense of overwhelm.
For me, the pain sat across the entire top of my head and affected my ears, eyes and tolerance for light. It was easy to get lost in the steady rhythm once I got the hang of it, and there was a subtle cooling feeling that eased some of the intensity. It helped quiet the sensory overload a little.
🧘♀️ Supported Wide Legged Child’s Pose
I set a bolster in front of me and raised the far end with a block so my chest could rest without any pressure. My knees were wide, my arms relaxed forward almost like offering a hug, and my head was fully supported. This shape let my back body settle without folding deeply, and the gentle lift of the bolster made it easy to breathe into the side ribs. It was one of the few positions that felt comforting rather than draining, and it let my nervous system soften while everything else felt inflamed. I could hold a mudra here and enjoy slow breathing, changing cheeks when the other side of my neck wanted the supported stretch.
🧘 Legs Up the Wall
For my body this feels like such a simple shape, but it is always surprisingly powerful when my energy is low. This posture encourages blood to return to the heart and is said to reduce swelling and calm the parasympathetic nervous system. I like it because I can feel the rush of blood moving down my legs which brings me straight back into the present moment. With a migraine and fever, it helped me feel grounded, and it offered a sense of movement without any effort.
🤲 Mudras That Helped
Mrigi Mudra
Often used for breathwork, especially alternate nostril breathing. It helps guide the breath mindfully and gives the mind something steady to rest on while the body recovers.
Mahasirs Mudra
A gesture traditionally used to ease head tension. It is said to support the release of muscular and energetic pressure in the face and skull. With the persistent head pain, this became a small but surprisingly comforting tool.
These were simple enough to hold even when everything else felt too much.
💭 Reflections
✨ Healing asks for surrender, not speed.
✨ Rest is still practice.
✨ Breath remains the bridge back to balance.
Lost&Found Wellness 