The Revolutionary Power of Rest: Why Yoga Nidra is Essential for Mothers with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli
In this soul-nourishing episode of Yoga, Bellies & Babies, we welcome the remarkable Uma Dinsmore-Tuli, PhD, author of “Nidra Shakti: The Power of Rest” and founder of the Yoga Nidra Network. Uma shares her profound wisdom on the transformative practice of yoga nidra and why intentional rest is not just beneficial but revolutionary, especially for mothers.
What is Yoga Nidra?
Uma explains that yoga nidra, literally translated as “yogic sleep,” is a state of consciousness between being awake and asleep. While it might look like “lying on the floor doing nothing,” this ancient practice offers profound benefits. During a typical 20-30 minute session, practitioners enter a deeply rested state while maintaining awareness at subtle levels. It’s not about doing but simply being, making it perfectly accessible for pregnant women and new mothers.
The Radical Act of Rest
One of the most powerful revelations in this conversation is how our culture conditions us to value productivity above all else. Uma boldly identifies this as “the conditioning of imperial capitalism,” where we’re taught that our worth comes solely from what we produce. This mindset particularly impacts mothers, who often feel guilty taking more than one rest period daily.
Uma challenges this notion, explaining that human bodies naturally function in cycles. Rather than powering through the day with just one break, our bodies are designed for rhythmic periods of activity and rest approximately every 90 minutes.
Rest is Resistance
Drawing inspiration from Tricia Hersey’s work, Uma discusses how rest itself can be a form of resistance against “grind culture.” For mothers especially, taking multiple rest periods throughout the day isn’t self-indulgence, it’s reclaiming our humanity in a system designed to extract maximum productivity regardless of human needs.
The History of Modern Yoga & Women’s Bodies
Uma offers fascinating insights into how modern postural yoga evolved from a combination of Swedish gymnastics, British military approaches, and Indian school systems primarily designed for men’s bodies. The rigid alignment-based approach many yogis follow today was never intended for women’s bodies, especially during pregnancy, postpartum recovery or menstruation.
Instead, Uma advocates for more feminine, circular movements that honour the natural shape and function of women’s bodies. This perspective challenges the “internal misogynist” that many of us have internalized, which tells us we must push through discomfort and “get back to normal” after pregnancy.
Postnatal Recovery & Beyond
For new mothers, Uma emphasizes that postnatal recovery is “an inside job” that takes far longer than the typical six-week check-up suggests. Factors like maternal age and spacing between pregnancies affect recovery times, with some women needing focused recovery practices for 18 months or more after birth. She cautions against returning to general yoga classes too quickly, especially if experiencing any pelvic floor issues.
Modelling Rest for Our Children
Perhaps most powerful is Uma’s reminder that when we prioritize rest, we change the future by modelling healthy patterns for our children. Rather than teaching our daughters that motherhood means “doing until you’re sick,” we can show them that rest is essential, normal, and worthy of celebration.
About Uma Dinsmore-Tuli
Uma Dinsmore-Tuli, PhD, has been practicing yoga since 1969, when she was just four years old. She is the co-founder of the Yoga Nidra Network and author of six books, including “Nidra Shakti: The Power of Rest.” Uma is a yoga therapist specializing in women’s health and has developed approaches including Total Yoga Nidra, Wild Nidra, and Yoni Nidra. Her work focuses on recovering intuitive, embodied, and cyclical wisdom through practices that honour the natural rhythms of women’s bodies.
Join us for this transformative conversation that will forever change how you think about rest, productivity, and the revolutionary act of honouring your body’s natural wisdom.
Thank you for listening!
