Rest and Restoration in Politics with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith

Politics is exhausting for many of us. In this episode with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, we explore the different ways in which politics can sap our energy and practices that can restore us when feel depleted.

In this episode, Dr. Saundra and I discuss:

  • The difference between sleep and rest
  • The seven types of rest and the way politics can deplete our rest in each area
  • How rest creates space for us to process and move through pain
  • People watching as a spiritual practice
  • How rest gives us the freedom to be who we are and enables us to show up authentically in life (and politics)
  • How rest connects us to our humanity and the humanity of other people
  • How rest enables action
  • What signals to look for so we know when to disengage (rest) from politics
  • Practices for restoration in each of the 7 areas of rest.
  • Sabbath as a way of connecting with those we love and as a way to lean into our longings for what lies ahead.

Spiritual Practices for this election from Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith:

These are available on our page on Spiritual Practices for Political Engagement page.

Connect with Dr. Saundra through her website or on LinkedIn and Instagram @drdaltonsmith .

Connect with me at [email protected] or on instagram @katie.m.cochran.

Using Movement, Breath, and Sound to Prepare for and Recover from Politics with Jaycee Gossett of The Class

Jaycee Gossett is a founding teacher of The Class, a transformative workout experience that uses music, movement, breath, and sound to strengthen the body and open the heart. In this episode, Jaycee and I discuss the healing power of movement and how we can apply wisdom from our movement practices to the political arena.  

In this episode, Jaycee and I discuss:

  • How The Class uses movement, movement, breath and sound as a portal to deeper levels of consciousness and awareness
  • The importance of learning how to be with difficult emotions and how The Class’s approach to emotional regulation can be applied to the political sphere
  • How setting intentions and cultivating a sense of curiosity in our own reactions can transform how we engage politically
  • Creating safer political spaces by being transparent about our intensions, asking questions, and checking in with ourselves and others
  • How to prepare for political engagement by creating care agreements with ourselves
  • The importance of community and connection in building resilience
  • Jaycee also tells us about The Class for Political engagement, which will be released in October, and gives small practices that people can use when they feel overwhelmed or triggered

Bring this wisdom with you as you engage:

  • Practice The Class in their NY or LA studio or online through their digital platform. They are offering our listeners a free 30 day subscription to the studio! The studio includes full length Classes as well as breath work, meditations, yoga, guided stretches, walking meditations, guided runs, and even mini classes for your work day and to do with your kids. All of these offerings incorporate the elements of movement that we’ve been discussing today: music, breath, sound, and an incredible workout
  • Jaycee is also developing a Class specifically for political engagement. That Class will go live in October and we will post there link here when it does!

Download the transcript.

You can find out more about The Class at their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Spotify (They have a great playlist called VOTE if you want to get pumped about the election). You can follow Jaycee on Instagram @JayceeGossett.  

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All of our conversations are offered alongside a spiritual practice that can help you move through this election season in a more intentional, healthy way. Those practices, including the free subscription to The Class’s Digital Studio and the link to the Political Engagement Class, can be found at www.thiselection.org/spiritualpractrices

If you found this conversation helpful and want to learn more:

  • Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music.
  • Subscribe to our email list. We share a weekly newsletter that provides additional inspiration, practice tips, and resources to heal and ground you this election cycle.

To connect with me