Pause, Rest, Be: Stillness Practices for Courage During Times of Change by Octavia F. Raheem Summary

1. Rest is a sacred act of courage during life’s transitions.
2. Savasana unlocks clarity amid endings by grounding body and mind.
3. Liminal spaces demand radical stillness to receive fresh beginnings.
4. Restorative yoga poses like child’s pose rebuild resilience in uncertainty.
5. “Devoted to Rest” reframes slowing down as power, not weakness.
6. Endings require surrender instead of forced control to enable growth.
7. Rest interrupts toxic productivity cycles tied to self-worth.
8. Collective healing begins with honoring personal rest as ancestral wisdom.
9. Rest is resistance against systems privileging exhaustion over presence.
10. Yoga Nidra practices dissolve fear during transitional “between” phases.
11. Courageous pauses reveal untapped creativity beneath surface-level busyness.
12. Rest legacy-building prioritizes sustainable impact over short-term achievements.

About the Author of Pause, Rest, Be

Octavia F. Raheem, award-winning author of Pause, Rest, Be, is a transformative voice in restorative wellness and mindful self-care.

A yoga educator, rest coach, and founder of Devoted to Rest™, she combines 20+ years of experience with Black Southern traditions to address burnout and holistic healing. Her work, spanning memoirs and practical guides, empowers high-achievers to reclaim rest as a sacred practice.

Raheem’s insights appear in The New York Times, Forbes, Yoga Journal, and CNN, solidifying her authority in wellness spaces. She also authored Gather, a reflective exploration of ancestral wisdom, and the forthcoming Rest Is Sacred.

Recognized by Yoga Journal as one of 15 global luminaries reshaping the field, her restorative frameworks are embraced by leaders and institutions seeking sustainable productivity. Over 10,000 hours of teaching inform her compassionate, culturally rooted approach to resilience.

FAQs About Pause, Rest, Be

What is Pause, Rest, Be about?

Pause, Rest, Be by Octavia F. Raheem is a guide to navigating life transitions through restorative yoga and mindfulness. It offers three key poses—Savasana (Corpse Pose), Parsva Savasana (Side-Lying Pose), and Balasana (Child’s Pose)—paired with reflections and prayers to help readers embrace endings, liminal spaces, and new beginnings with courage. The book blends personal storytelling, yoga philosophy, and actionable practices to foster resilience during change.

Who should read Pause, Rest, Be?

This book is ideal for individuals facing major life transitions, burnout, or systemic exhaustion, particularly women of color and high-achievers seeking restorative self-care tools. Leaders, coaches, and yoga practitioners will also benefit from its insights on integrating rest as a proactive strategy for personal and professional growth.

What are the main teachings in Pause, Rest, Be?

Key concepts include:

• Rest as resistance: Prioritizing stillness to counteract systemic burnout.
• Embracing liminality: Finding clarity in transitional phases.
• Yoga as metaphor: Using poses to process endings and beginnings.

The book emphasizes rest not as laziness but as a "disruptive force" for creativity and purpose.

How does Pause, Rest, Be address burnout?

Raheem frames burnout as a spiritual crisis and advocates rest as both intervention and prevention. Practices like Yoga Nidra and guided reflections help readers reclaim energy and align with their "sacred work" without depletion. The book argues that rest unlocks potential, making it essential for leaders and changemakers.

What is the significance of the three yoga poses in the book?

• Savasana: Symbolizes surrendering to endings.
• Parsva Savasana: Represents navigating uncertainty in liminal spaces.
• Balasana: Encourages humility and renewal for new journeys.

Each pose serves as a physical and metaphorical anchor for Raheem’s teachings.

How does Octavia Raheem’s background influence the book?

As a restorative yoga teacher with 10,000+ training hours, Raheem combines lived experience as a Black woman, mother, and entrepreneur with yogic philosophy. Her Devoted to Rest™ methodology reflects this blend, offering culturally resonant strategies for marginalized groups often excluded from wellness narratives.

What prayers or rituals are included in Pause, Rest, Be?

The book features contemplative prayers for endings, liminality, and beginnings, such as:

"A Prayer for All of Our Beginnings" – urging readers to "stumble forward" with grace.

These rituals aim to deepen self-compassion during transitions.

How does Pause, Rest, Be differ from other self-help books?

Unlike productivity-centric guides, Raheem’s work centers rest as foundational to success. It uniquely interweaves yoga postures with social commentary on exhaustion culture, particularly for BIPOC communities. The poetic, vulnerable tone also sets it apart from more clinical approaches.

Is Pause, Rest, Be compatible with religious practices?

Yes. While rooted in yoga, the book uses universal themes of reflection and courage, making it adaptable to diverse spiritual frameworks. Prayers and meditations are nonsectarian, focusing on inner resilience.

What criticisms exist about Pause, Rest, Be?

Some may find its emphasis on self-directed rest challenging without structural workplace or societal changes. However, Raheem addresses this by framing personal restoration as a step toward collective healing.

How does Pause, Rest, Be relate to Octavia Raheem’s other work?

It expands on concepts from her first book Gather and her Devoted to Rest™ program, which trains leaders in rest-based coaching. Together, they form a holistic toolkit for sustainable activism and creativity.

Why is Pause, Rest, Be relevant in 2025?

Amid global shifts in work-life balance and AI-driven productivity pressures, the book offers a timeless counter-narrative: that rest is essential for innovation and equity. Its teachings align with growing movements to decolonize wellness and address burnout disparities.