Why You Can't Relax (And What To Do About It) | Ep. 12
Yoga for Longevity: Mobility, Mindfulness, and Vibrant Health
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If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to relax, whether in Shavasana or lying awake at night, this episode is for you. Yoga therapist Mikah Horn unpacks the science behind why rest can feel uncomfortable even when you want to relax, and how your body can relearn the art of letting go. Discover what’s happening in your nervous system when you can’t seem to unwind, why forcing calm doesn’t work, and four gentle yoga-based practices that retrain your body to recognize safety and ease.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why your body resists stillness (and how it’s not your fault)
- How chronic stress “resets” your baseline to stay on alert
- The role of the vagus nerve in signaling safety
- Four simple, science-backed tools to help your body downshift naturally
- Why true rest is essential for healing, not a luxury or reward
- How yoga builds nervous system resilience over time
Key Insights
Mikah shares how relaxation is not something to achieve but something your body remembers. Through slow breathing, mindful movement, grounding sensations, and small pauses throughout your day, you can gently reeducate your nervous system to feel safe enough to rest. Instead of pushing harder for calm, you will learn how to create the right conditions where calm arises naturally.
👉 Your Next Step
Start your own relaxation retraining with a 14-day free trial of Lifelong Yoga Online. Experience guided practices that help your body shift from tension to ease at your own pace.
💌 Stay Connected
- YouTube: Lifelong Yoga with Mikah
- Instagram: @lifelong.yoga
- Free Facebook Community: Yoga at Home
14 episodes