Why Women Struggle to Rest-and How Yoga Can Change That
In the quiet corners of history, the role of women has often been framed by duty—nurturer, caregiver, leader, laborer. Whether in the home, the fields, or the workplace, rest has been a privilege rather than a right. But the ancient wisdom of Indic traditions tells a different story—one where rest is not just essential but sacred.
The Weight of Expectation
Modern research confirms what many women intuitively know: their rest is often compromised. Studies show that women experience more interrupted sleep than men, often due to caregiving responsibilities, hormonal changes, or stress related to work and family life. The concept of the “second shift”—the additional domestic labor women undertake after work—exacerbates this exhaustion. Despite needing more sleep than men due to the complexity of their cognitive processes, women tend to get less, leading to burnout, chronic stress, and long-term health consequences.
Rest as a Sacred Principle in Indic Texts
Ancient Indian philosophy offers a profound counterpoint to this exhaustion-driven culture. In the Upanishads, rest is deeply connected to spiritual rejuvenation. Sleep and deep relaxation are considered vital for clarity, wisdom, and self-realization. The Mandukya Upanishad speaks of Turiya, a state beyond waking, dreaming, and deep sleep—a reminder that true rest is not passive but an entry into deeper awareness.
Even in classical yogic texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, rest is not seen as idleness but as a necessary counterbalance to activity. The text emphasizes Shavasana (corpse pose) as a crucial practice for calming the nervous system, allowing the body to integrate the benefits of movement and breathwork. Similarly, the Bhagavad Gita (6.16-17) warns against extremes, advocating for a balanced approach to work, rest, and discipline:
“Yoga is not for the one who eats too much, nor for the one who eats too little. It is not for one who sleeps too much, nor for one who sleeps too little. But for the one who is moderate in all things, yoga becomes the destroyer of suffering.”
The Vedic perspective on women also acknowledges the necessity of rhythm and cycles—recognizing the body’s natural need for periods of activity and withdrawal. Women were seen as embodying the Shakti principle—dynamic energy that must be nurtured through both movement and stillness.
Yoga as Radical Rest
In a world that equates productivity with worth, choosing to rest becomes an act of defiance. Yoga offers a structured way to reclaim rest through breathwork (pranayama), deep relaxation (Yoga Nidra), and postures designed to calm the nervous system. Viparita Karani (legs-up-the-wall pose) soothes adrenal fatigue, while Shavasana systematically releases tension held in the body.
Beyond the physical, yoga reshapes the mental relationship with rest. By shifting from an achievement-oriented mindset to one of presence, women can learn to view rest not as an interruption but as a necessary rhythm.
A Return to Balance
For centuries, rest has been overlooked in favor of output. But ancient wisdom tells us that true strength lies in balance. By integrating deep rest into daily life, women can reclaim their well-being, not as a luxury, but as a right—a return to the sacred equilibrium that has always existed within.
~ Written by Ritika S