EDITOR’S NOTE

I’m new to yoga, and, admittedly, some of the stretches and bends leave me grimacing. But I have a deep appreciation (and natural talent) for savasana. This pose, which concludes each practice, requires you to lie on the floor and, with your eyes closed, remain absolutely still. I could hold this pose for hours.

All joking aside, I can respect a discipline that values resting after work as much as the work itself. In yoga, savasana is equally essential to the active poses; it’s the time when the body integrates the effects of the postures, and, according to many teachers, it’s a critical step in improving your practice.

Rest and relaxation are getting respect in other areas, too. The French government recently pushed through a law that would permit employees to ignore emails after office hours—known as “the right to disconnect”— as a measure to keep office life and home life separate. Arianna Huffington advocates the importance of getting enough rest in her latest book, The Sleep Revolution (read an excerpt starting on page 45!), and argues that catching some z’s can have a positive effect on not only your physical and mental health but also the quality of your work. Rest and relaxation aren’t just rewards for effort; they’re also essential components to living a happy and productive life.

For my family, August is our annual break, when we unplug from our bustling work and school lives (and devices!) and head to the woods for a much-needed week away. We fill the days with hiking, swimming, lounging and eating together, leaving the to-do lists and emails far behind. I’m learning that, while the leisure may feel indulgent, it shouldn’t: It’s actually a very necessary part of the process—no yoga mat required.