Balancing Passion and Stillness: What My Shabbat Practice Taught Me

I’m not great at resting. I love what I do, my brain’s always buzzing, and I used to wear “busy” like a badge of honor. But in 2020, I started building a modern Shabbat practice—and it completely reshaped how I live and work.

Every Saturday, I teach a yoga class from 9 to 10 AM. And when class ends, so does my time online. From 10 AM to 6 PM, my phone goes off. No social media. No texts. No calls. Just space to be.

At first, I panicked. What if I missed something important? Spoiler: I never did. What I found was a surprising sense of calm. Over time, I stopped rushing back to the noise and started craving the quiet.

The transition from yoga to Shabbat has become a sacred moment. I move my body, guide others in breath and presence, and then let myself fall into rest. That final pose? It’s my portal.

This practice has evolved. When I lived alone, Saturdays were harder. The silence was louder. I had to be intentional about making plans before Friday night. Now, with my husband, it feels more natural—but still deliberate.

It’s not about strict observance. It’s about choosing rest, on purpose. It’s about carving out time to not be productive and letting that time nourish me in ways hustle never could.

If you’re curious, try it. Don’t start with eight hours. Try two. Put your phone in a drawer. Take a walk. Do nothing. And see what bubbles up.

You might just want to try it again.