SUMMER OF REST

This is a soft revolution.

Summer of Rest is a month-long experiment in slowing the fuck down. A virtual summer camp for folks who know they need to rest but find it really hard to actually do.

It’s a gentle invitation to reclaim your time, energy, and worth from capitalist productivity culture.

We’re going to spend August planting the seeds of a different way of moving through the world. Something more connected, more human-paced, more nurturing — both personally and collectively.

Step out of the extractive grind-to-collapse cycle, shake off the false rest of numbing out, and embody a more sustainable way of living.

WHAT’S INVOLVED

Weekly practice circles

A space held for you to actually do the damn thing (with loving, down-to-earth guidance of course)

Each week we’ll meet on Zoom for 60 minutes of conversation and body-based practices.

From restorative yoga to somatics, breathwork to yoga nidra, you’ll learn new (and old) ways to slow down, ground, and drop into deep relaxation.

Love letters

Each week you’ll get a letter in your inbox where we dive deeper into the world of rest. These are also read aloud, if you prefer to listen podcast-style.

We’ll explore themes of navigating the nervous system, anti-capitalist embodiment, dreaming as world building, reclaiming your precious attention, and cultivating impeccable energetic hygiene.

Rest Clubhouse + Lifetime Access

Our headquarters, where all the resources from Summer of Rest will be gathered for you to access forevermore.

Here you’ll find the replays of our live calls, a library of practice recordings, and supplementary resources like playlists, journaling prompts, and tarot spreads to support you this summer and beyond.

WHO THIS IS FOR

Burnt out creatives, tired change-makers, exhausted witches, and queers who just can’t shut their brain off.

Big-hearted babes who are overwhelmed, overstimulated, and over numbing themselves out just to get by in the polycrisis.

Neurodivergent folks who would do well with some gentle guidance and structure as they explore new, regenerative ways to move through their days.

Dreamers who want to care for themselves and the world around them. Who are ready to create a better world, knowing that their own life is the best place to start

✹

Summer of Rest is open to anyone with an interest in slowing down — with a recognition that material is taught through an anti-capitalist, anti-colonial, queer and trans affirming, and trauma-informed lens.

This is a space that won’t tell you to ‘self care’ your way out of systemic issues, or ignore the ways that capitalism, white supremacy, and heteropatriarchy impact our ability to rest. In fact, reclaiming rest is an integral part of creating a world that imagines beyond these brutal systems.

THE PRACTICALITIES

Important dates

Summer of Rest runs from August 3rd - 31st

Live calls are at 11am BST on Sundays:

Opening Circle – August 3rd

Practice Circles – August 10th, 17th & 24th

Closing Circle – August 31st

Weekly emails will be sent on Mondays:

August 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th

What You Need:

A body (specifically, yours)

Enough space to lie down somewhere

Wifi/email access

Price:

One payment of £125

Split payments: 2 x £63 or 3 x £42

Or help pay it forward with the Supporter rate of £145

YOUR GUIDE

Elle Bower Johnston (she/they)

I’m a breathworker, rest teacher, somatic trauma resolution practitioner, and body witch.

I’ve been helping others to come back to their bodies since 2017, and have spent the last 20 years knee-deep in my own embodiment praxis.

My work is queer- and trans-centred, trauma-conscious, and centred around unraveling colonialism and capitalism from the ways we relate to our bodies.

You can read more about me, my training, and my values here.

FAQ

  • Dude! Me too! Which is to say, yes. You can totally make this work. The intention is that Summer of Rest is something you can weave into the realities of your life. There won't be any big homework or pressure to 'keep up'. You can take what you need and trust that everything else will be there if and when you want to circle back

  • Nope! Everything is digital so you can take me with you, if you want to practice rest on your holiday. Or you can watch the recordings after your return if it turns out the wifi is spotty. The Summer of Rest is non-sequential so you won't need to rush to 'catch up' for things to make sense.

  • Of course! A Winter of Rest sounds absolutely dreamy. Depending on where you are the call times might align quite nicely and if not the replays will be uploaded to our Notion Clubhouse so you can watch at your leisure.

  • I'm totally open to discussing it. Drop me an email telling me what you need and we'll see if we can work it out