Gentle Yoga & Mindfulness for Mental Health & Wellbeing
Restorative classes and 1:1 sessions offering yoga & compassionate nervous system care for burnout, anxiety, compassion fatigue, and the quiet grief of putting everyone else first.
You’ve been strong for everyone else. Now it’s time to come home to yourself.
If you’re a perfectionist, a carer, or someone who gives so much that you’ve started to feel burned out, anxious, lonely, or quietly grieving the life you wanted… you’re not alone.
You’ve tried pushing through, you’ve tried all the things, yet your body still feels wired even when you’re exhausted. Slowing down feels hard. Resting feels unsafe. And parts of the real you seem to have been left behind along the way.
At Heart of Rest, our gentle, trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness sessions are created especially for women — and warmly welcome people of all genders — especially those who are highly sensitive, neurodivergent, or moving through perimenopause.
In small, supportive groups or peaceful 1:1 sessions, we offer compassionate nervous system care. No pressure to perform. No need to be flexible or “good at yoga.” Just a safe space where you can breathe, rest, and begin to feel like yourself again — calm, re-energised, and whole.
There is hope. You can be yourself and feel good again — good enough to share your gifts with the world, without burning out.
“For the first time in years I felt my nervous system truly settle. This isn’t just yoga — it’s a return home to myself.” — Sarah
Ready to feel safe in your body again? Book your gentle 1:1 session or small group class today.
What is Mental Health + Wellbeing?
Mental health, according to the World Health Organization, is “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community.”
Wellbeing is the positive experience of this state — a sense of calm, resilience, connection, and wholeness that allows you to feel safe in your body, present in your life, and able to show up as yourself.
How can Yoga + Mindfulness support Mental Health and Wellbeing?
Our gentle yoga and mindfulness practices are designed to offer compassionate nervous system care. Decades of research, including multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 2023 and 2025, show that these practices can offer support when you’re experiencing stress, anxiety, burnout, compassion fatigue, and the exhaustion of caring for others.
Research highlights the following benefits:
- Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression Mindfulness-based yoga has been shown in meta-analyses to produce moderate to large reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Participants often report feeling less “wired” and more able to rest.
- Lower stress and burnout Yoga interventions consistently reduce perceived stress, emotional exhaustion, and compassion fatigue. Studies on healthcare workers and high-achieving adults (2024–2025) found significant improvements in burnout scores after regular practice.
- Better nervous system regulation Slow, prop-supported practices like Restorative and Yin Yoga help shift the body into the parasympathetic “rest-and-digest” state. This supports emotional balance, reduces the physiological effects of chronic stress, and can improve sleep quality and overall resilience.
- Improved emotional regulation and resilience Regular mindfulness and yoga practice is associated with greater self-compassion, reduced rumination, and an increased capacity to sit with difficult emotions without becoming overwhelmed.
- Enhanced overall wellbeing and quality of life Studies show gains in life satisfaction, a stronger sense of meaning and connection, better sleep, and a renewed feeling of being “more like yourself” — even when life still feels demanding.
What is Yin + Restorative Yoga?
There are many styles and traditions of yoga. Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga are two types that generally include gentle, slow-paced practices that emphasise mindfulness, breath awareness, and deep relaxation. They can be especially supportive for people experiencing challenges in their mental health including stress, anxiety, burnout, compassion fatigue, or difficulty slowing down and resting.
Yin Yoga is a slow, floor-based practice where poses are held gently for several minutes. It targets the deeper connective tissues (fascia, ligaments, and joints) while encouraging mindful awareness of breath, sensations, and thoughts. This can help build resilience, release stored tension, and support emotional balance and nervous system regulation — making it especially useful for those feeling stuck, anxious, or carrying burnout.
Restorative Yoga is an even gentler, deeply relaxing practice often described as “active rest.” Using plenty of props (bolsters, blankets, and blocks) to fully support the body, poses are held for longer periods with no effort required. The focus is on complete release, calming the nervous system, and allowing the body and mind to move into a state of deep rest and recovery. It’s particularly nourishing for exhaustion, overwhelm, compassion fatigue, or when simply feeling wired yet tired.
These practices can help:
- Activate the parasympathetic “rest-and-digest” nervous system
- Promote deep physical and mental relaxation
- Reduce feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm
- Create space for the body and mind to recharge
- Foster a profound sense of safety and ease in the body
- Release stored physical and emotional tension
- Support emotional balance and mindfulness
- Build resilience and capacity to sit with discomfort calmly
- Promote a sense of groundedness and inner steadiness
- Encourage better sleep and a calmer response to daily stressors
How We Use Both at Heart of Rest
In our trauma-informed 1:1 and small group sessions, we often blend elements of Yin and Restorative Yoga to offer compassionate nervous system care. These practices provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can breathe, release tension, and gently reconnect with yourself — without pressure to perform or achieve anything.
You’ll be guided on a journey through the body into the Heart as together we create a gentle space of exploration and compassion.
No experience is needed, and modifications are always available. Many people describe feeling more like themselves again — calmer, re-energised, and more whole.
In a culture that often values outcomes and doing and constant movement our Yoga for Mental Health and Wellbeing classes provide an opportunity to slow down, reset and reconnect, bringing balance and a sense of being at home within ourself.
At Heart of Rest, we focus on the gentle, restorative side of these practices so you can experience these benefits in a safe, non-judgmental space — whether in a small group or a private 1:1 session.
“Self-compassion involves being kind to oneself when confronting personal inadequacies or situational difficulties, framing the imperfection of life in terms of common humanity, and being mindful of negative emotions so that one neither suppresses nor ruminates on them.” (Neff & Beretvas, 2013)
You are not lazy, unmotivated or stuck. After years of living your life in survival mode, you are exhausted. There is a difference!
Sessions are offered by Zoom (online) or in Treeby Western Australia and will include a combination of restorative & yin yoga, compassionate mindfulness, breathing, movement, meditation and compassionate mindset coaching.
Who is your Facilitator?
Hi! I’m Lani, a somatic movement, yoga, wellbeing, meditation and gene keys guide with a gift for helping others to slow down and find their way home in their bodies, heart and soul. I’m a lover of the simple, gentle, compassionate and kind and I have a special passion for guiding heart-centred nurturers and Highly Sensitive Entrepreneurs.
I worked for the Tax Office for more than a decade before hearing my own internal wisdom tell me there is more to life than rushing, stressing and trying to keep up. I know what it feels like to be caught in the mental looping of the mind completely disconnected from my body and I also know how overwhelm and fatigue can sneak in if I slip into over-giving and caring for others without ensuring I am also meeting my own self care and soulful needs
Through the process of dismantling and recreating my own life I now know a life of meaningful connection and contribution, self love and serving others are all essential parts of who I am.
I’ve spent 15 years immersed in the practice, study and teaching of Embodiment & Wellbeing including Yin, Hatha + Restorative Yoga, Sensory Processing Sensitivity, Grief and Loss, Compassionate Mindfulness, Gene Keys, Psoas release and Tantra. Drawing from all of these tools (and my own walk through anxiety, depression, grief and loss) I’m here to gently encourage you as you remember your own brilliance.
As you pause and create space, I’ll be there as a guide, mentor and friend cheering you on to connect to your own inner wisdom.
Not quite ready to join a class or book a session. Book a complimentary 15 minute call so we can say hi and you can ask any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have any yoga experience to attend these classes? No, these sessions are structured to suit every level. We will be on the ground for much of the session. The only real requirement is that you be able to get up and down off the ground with ease.
Are these sessions only for women? We do offer some sessions that are for Women only but this will be listed in the title of the event. Otherwise all genders are welcome.
Can I claim these sessions on my private health insurance? Following recent changes in 2025 many Australian private health funds are once again offering rebates for yoga classes under Extras cover (Healthy Lifestyle, Wellness, or Health Management benefits). To confirm your cover, simply contact your health insurer. Note. Rebates depend on your individual policy and are for wellbeing support. Yoga is complementary and not a substitute for medical treatment. Please note: Rebates depend on your individual policy and are for wellbeing support. Yoga is complementary and not a substitute for medical treatment.
I’m currently working with a counsellor or psychologist on past trauma, are these sessions suitable for me? Yoga and mindfulness are generally safe, accessible, and complementary to therapy, medication, or other supports. They do not replace professional mental health care but can be a powerful addition. We combine somatic (body based) practices for embodiment and empowerment. However these sessions are not a replacement for counselling or psychotherapy. Check in with your therapist if you’re not sure or message us so we can have a chat. Recommendations to counsellors, psychotherapists and other health professionals can also be provided to support your journey if needed.
Should I come to some 1:1 sessions first? In a 1:1 to session we have the space to explore more of your personal needs and strengths and to adjust the movement and stillness. If you’ve been working with a counsellor or are in the thick of a deep emotional journey you may find a 1:1 to be more supportive so we can gently explore the ways the body can hold memories of past experiences. In our group sessions there isn’t the opportunity for us to go deeper into your emotional journey. If you’re not sure feel free to book a complimentary 15 minute call to begin with.
I’m pregnant, are these sessions ok for pregnant women? All of our practices can be customised for you no matter what stage of your pregnancy. The focus here will be on providing a gentle space for you to rest, breathe and connect with the beauty and wisdom of your womb and the little life growing inside of you however please do let me know when you book (or on the day) so I can offer any special suggestions to meet the stage of your pregnancy.
I have a Companion Card, can I bring my support worker to assist me during these sessions? In our 1:1 sessions you’re welcome to bring a support worker, just let us know at the time of booking so we can create space for them. For our small group sessions we can accommodate up to 8 persons in total, depending on the day and time of your session we may be able to accommodate your support worker, please send us a message to check on availability.
What if I can no longer attend? For cancellations received within 7 days of the event a full refund is available. For cancellations with 3 days notice a 30 day credit for a future heART of Rest event will be offered. If this event is unable to run due to government restrictions it will be offered online or rescheduled. If you’re unable to attend the rescheduled date a credit note to be used within 3 months will be offered. Please email lani@heartofrest.com.au for refunds or credits.