Monica T. Johnson
MIND.BODY.AWAKENED. 

Rest Awake Meditation

Relax – Release tension – Return to yourself

Through calming breathwork and guided imagery, your nervous system will unwind and your mind will settle down. As stress and inner obstacles begin to melt away, you’ll experience a deep sense of peace, clarity and overall well-being.

Meditation gives you time to reconnect with yourself – not your to-do list, not your phone, and not your inner critic. By being less reactive, you naturally listen better, argue less, and maybe even forgive faster. A calm mind is more open to joy. Your life starts to feel less like a struggle and more like a fun adventure.

What is the Rest Awake Meditation?

Rest Awake Meditation is a simple, refreshing mind-body practice that blends gentle breathwork with calming visual imagery. Created by me, it uses the mind, body, breath, imagery and positive or neutral thought to create a deep sense of well-being and calm. It’s quick, easy to learn, and designed for everyone, no experience needed.

You don’t need a silent room, incense, or the “perfect” posture. If you can breathe, you can do it. And best of all? It really works. Rest Awake Meditation helps you relax, reset, and come back to yourself, gently and naturally.

A Rest Awake Meditation Story – Age 56

“When I met Monica, I was a mess. I had just gone through menopause, gained 30 pounds, and my sleep was terrible. I was also feeling more anxious, moody and emotional, and I had brain-fog frequently. Sometimes I would lie awake for hours and nothing seemed to help. My family told me that I was moody and I really didn’t know what to do about it. A friend recommended Monica, but I told her right away that meditation probably wasn’t for me. I couldn’t sit still, and I thought that stuff was too “hippy-dippy.” But Monica has a great sense of humor and such a comforting presence that I felt like I wanted to give it a try. She introduced me to Rest Awake Meditation in a way that didn’t feel forced or weird to me, and it actually helped me relax. Her down-to-earth style made it feel easy and I felt results immediately. Now I use the short, personalized practice she made for me for whenever I feel stressed out or have trouble sleeping.

The results have been amazing. I sleep better, feel calmer, and I seem to make clearer decisions. And the bonus is that I actually like myself more now. That alone made it worth it. I’m super grateful.” PJ Real Estate

What is mind-body medicine, really?

It’s the simple idea that your thoughts and your body are on speaking terms. What happens in one shows up in the other. This isn’t new, by the way. Hippocrates said it thousands of years ago. The greatest healing force is the one already inside you.

So what is a mind-body method?

They’re the practices that put you back in touch with your own body. Meditation, breathwork, guided imagery, gentle movement. The skill they all teach is the same one: how to bring your attention to your body and keep it there, without your mind wandering off, which it usually will. Focused attention. That’s it.

Does any of this actually work?

“Mind over matter” was a saying for a long time, and for a long time that’s all it was. Now there is real research behind it. Studies suggest these practices may ease stress, lift mood, and help the body do what it already knows how to do. It can also keep you on an even keel in those times you need to chill.

Okay, but how does it actually work?

When you’re stressed, whether it’s a bad day or a bad year, your body floods with stress hormones. That’s exactly what you want in a real emergency, and exhausting when there isn’t one. Over time it wears on your sleep, your heart, your immune system, your patience with the people you care about. Mind-body practices work in the other direction. They let your nervous system know the emergency is over, so your body can get back to the business of repair.

And what do you actually get out of it?

More than you’d think. Deeper rest, steadier coping when life gets loud, less tension in the places you tend to carry it, and a growing sense that you and your body are good friends.

Try it for yourself and see how quickly you can feel better. Sessions can be in person or online.