Octavia Raheem
Octavia Raheem
Queen Rest Facilitator
One of the things I am enjoying about This is Black is being able to show public gratitude for women I
admire for creating safe and healing spaces where women, especially black women can just be.
Have you come across the work of Octavia Raheem? She is what I call a rest facilitator, or a rest guide--if you will. Officially, she is a yogi, a teacher, an author and a mama. Her work "focuses on practical tools to teach individuals how to manage stress, anxiety, and fatigue through restorative yoga, yoga nidra, and meditation in a way that is accessible to all levels/abilities, and restorative to the nervous system.”
I have been participating in Octavia's online retreats for almost a year now, and I had no I idea how difficult it was for me to rest, and relax in a way that was intentional and restorative and allowed for more of who I really am to flourish and be illuminated. If you read my post “Rest is Revolutionary” then you know how I feel about rest. Octavia Raheem is the woman who has singlehandedly guided me back home to myself through rest. She has made it possible for me to embody rest. She fulfilled the how that prevents many of us from living our best lives.
Now I know that many of us are not that into the online gatherings and classes. I completely understand being zoomed out, trust me, I do! These online gathering spaces have been the most nourishing and loving act I've engaged in consistently throughout the pandemic. Octavia is a writer, and her voice as
she guides me through these experiences feels like a poet guiding me through the journey of my own soul.
I know, it sounds like I'm putting a lot on it, but I’m tellin yall! She is the truth! I've even named one of my candles Gather (www.myevolvingwellness.com) after experiencing the power and the benefits of her online Gather Wisdom and Rest community.
The best part about the various Gather spaces is that they seem to give me exactly what I need--even
when I haven't had time to figure it out on my own. It's an invitation to slow down and take care of me.
And in sacred community in a safe and nurturing space.
I know some of you have taken her courses in person. I can only imagine how powerful that must have been considering how powerful the virtual spaces have been for me. If you've experienced any of Octavia's work, her classes, her book or her mentorship program, let us know in the comments how her work has impacted you. For me, I know that my entire life is more balanced and fulfilling now. I no longer feel like I'm running on E all of the time. I am able to tap into the energy of joy and love because I've taken the time throughout the week to slow down and rest. To listen. To witness. To move and be still.
Find Octavia's work here:
Octavia Raheem – Mama.Teacher.Yogi.Writer
I'll leave you with some words by the Queen Rest Facilitator herself on finding her Guru:
"Then… recently, I was in supported corpse pose (savasana.) As I descended into deep rest, I felt the presence of Her. In a flash of awareness I understood that for me, Rest isn’t simply a practice, something I do, teach, or write about.
Rest is my Guru.
And it makes sense. Every time I settle at her feet more of my own darkness is dispelled. I face the dark.
I see my light. I see my truth.
In Rest, I can’t escape from who I have been, who I am, and who I am becoming. I am a devoted student of Rest after a lifetime of avoiding what She had to teach me.
I am a devoted teacher of Rest after a lifetime of watching Black Women & Women of Color hold the world up on our shoulders even as it held us down. I am a student and teacher of rest after lifetimes of
carrying on like that’s the way it had to be.
Rest is my Guru and today she came with the message that we are not here to be weary, rush about, and give everyone else our best. You don’t need to ask for permission to meet Rest. She's been waiting for you."
Devoted to Rest is for Black Women | Women of Color who are brilliant, magical, bad-asses---and who are tired yet completely ready to reclaim the power of Rest in their lives.
Welcome to more rest.
From Octavia’s mailing list
Rest is sacred. Rest is your birthright. Rest is empowering. Rest is fuel.
Insta posts - Octavia Raheem
1. "Rest is sacred. Rest is your birthright. Rest is empowering. Rest is fuel."
Octavia Raheem
2. "Rest is my Guru and today she came with the message that we are not here to be weary, rush about, and give everyone else our best. You don’t need to ask for permission to meet Rest. She's been waiting for you." Octavia Raheem
3. Are you ready to transform your life by devoting yourself to more rest and ease in a community of inspiring, creative, and powerful women who are dedicated to doing the same?
