The Art of Slowing Down: A Story from My Mat to Yours
- Jul 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 5
It’s a familiar moment.
As I was settling the class into Shavasana after our practice, the room began to quiet, the breath softened, and still, there was a subtle tension in the air.
Letting go isn’t always easy. I noticed someone nearby, their body still holding on. Feet fidgeting, breath shallow, eyes fluttering beneath closed lids.
I knew that place. I’ve been in that place.
And every time I see it, I’m reminded how deeply ingrained our pace is. How hard it is, sometimes, just to stop.
I used to be someone who found stillness unbearable. My mind would race the moment my body stopped moving. I thought rest was something you earned, only after doing enough. I didn’t know that rest could be a practice, a way of coming home to yourself.
In today’s world, where everything moves fast, where we’re constantly connected, always “on,” slowing down becomes even more vital. It’s not just about pausing. It’s about giving our nervous system a chance to reset, our mind a chance to settle, and our body a chance to heal.
When we slow down, we create space to listen to what we really need, beneath the noise and distraction. We reconnect to the present moment, to the sensations, feelings, and breath that ground us in our own experience.
Slowing down is an act of self-care, a quiet rebellion against the relentless pace around us. It reminds us that rest is not weakness, but a vital part of being whole.
My journey into yoga and later into sound healing and Thai massage was never just about movement or technique. It was about creating space. Space in the body, yes—but also in the nervous system. In the breath. In the heart.
That’s what I try to offer now.
Whether I’m leading a class, giving a sound bath, or working one-on-one through massage, my intention is the same: to create a space where you feel safe to slow down. To let go. To soften.
You don’t have to know how to do it. You don’t have to “achieve” relaxation. Just showing up is enough. I’ll meet you where you are. With patience, presence, and tools that help guide you inward, gently.
Because healing doesn’t always come through action. Sometimes, it comes through surrender.
And I’m here to hold the space for that.
You don’t have to arrive calm. Just arrive.
Ready to slow down with me?
I offer gentle yoga, sound baths, Tibetan sound massage, and Thai massage sessions designed to help you reconnect with your body, your breath, and your inner calm.
If you're looking for a deeper pause, I’d love to welcome you to the next monthly Yin Yoga & Sound Bath
It’s a nourishing blend of movement, stillness, and sound to help you gently come back to yourself.
Thanks for reading. If this resonated with you, feel free to share or come slow down with me sometime.
#SlowingDown #YogaForRest #SoundHealingJourney #MindfulLiving #WellbeingFromWithin #SlowingDown #YogaForRest #SomaticPractice
About me
Joanna is a proud mother of two and a passionate advocate for slowing down and living with intention. Originally from Greece and now based in Switzerland with her family, she brings warmth, presence, and deep care into everything she offers.
Joanna is a 500-hour certified yoga teacher with additional training in sound healing, Thai massage, and Ayurvedic nutrition. Her approach is rooted in holistic wellbeing, supporting the body, mind, and nervous system with practices that invite rest, reconnection, and balance.
She is also the founder of AjnaYoga Candle Shop, where she creates hand-poured candles with unique, grounding scents designed to support yoga, meditation, massage, and ritual. Each one is made to help you soften into your space and your self.
Whether she’s guiding a class, offering a massage, or blending a new scent, Joanna’s intention is always the same: to hold space for people to feel at home - in their body, their breath, and their lives.
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