Pause, Rest, Lead®
Teacher and Facilitator Training
October 28, 2025 - June 28, 2026
Pause, Rest, Lead® Teacher and Facilitator Training • October 28, 2025 - June 28, 2026
Pause, Rest, Lead® Teacher and Facilitator Training • October 28, 2025 - June 28, 2026
An eight month online and in person certification program for coaches and facilitators who want to cultivate their own rest leadership, share the brilliance of rest, and thread it into their most purposeful and sacred work.
Welcome Rest Leader,
You are here and that means you are already a student of rest in your own and valid way.
Perfection is not required, nor is it real. Practice is a requirement though. If you already have a rest practice, continue. If not, start here or here with one of our collaborators.
We live in a world where more and more people are waking up to the devastating impact of chronic exhaustion. As a dynamic, potent, compassionate, and skilled facilitator, you see it time and time again. Your clients want to make changes and they are also too tired or overwhelmed to follow through consistently.
You are the rest leader so many are waiting for.
You’ve had the thought that I want to be able to hold more space for myself, my people, team, and clients to lean into the power of rest. Or let’s be real, you may have left yourself out of that statement.
We listen. We don’t judge around here.
This training is also a respite for you.
Have you ever been talking and teaching about the need for care, and rest, while simultaneously being exhausted yourself. Maybe you felt hypocritical and feared being “found out” because deep down you know you aren’t practicing what you preach?
It happens to the best of us.
What about this one? Have you ever been with a client, sensed how tired they were, and also felt less equipped than you want to be in order to support a rest intervention?
Have you led or ever attended a “rest retreat” that lacked the space and time for actual rest?
Exhale. You are in the right place to infuse your life, coaching, leadership, and healing practices with the restorative power of rest. Pause, Rest, Lead® is the right place to deepen and advance your rest teaching and leadership.
Pause, Rest, Lead® Teacher Training
You will experience and be trained to offer the most sacred rest practices we know: yoga nidra, restorative yoga, and meditation. We help you gain the knowledge and wisdom, cultivate the courage and creative life force, build the vision and plan to thread sacred rest practices through your most sacred work. By the end of this training you will be equipped to design and deliver rest-centered experiences and retreats that expand your reach, impact, and income.
You will also rest deeply in order to really wake up your power as a rest teacher, facilitator, and coach.
After graduating you will be empowered to bring the transformation of rest to your clients and team members.
Delivery of training:
Online and In Person. We are {rest} family.
This training takes place both online and in person so that you can take a portion of the training from the comfort of your home and also experience the life changing impact of a five day rest retreat.
Who is this training for?
Facilitators and coaches with at least three years of experience who identify with being one or more of the following leader archetypes:
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The Path Finder
You see a way where others see an obstacle. Leaders confide in you and look to you for direction and courage through times of uncertainty. You know that rest is a path to possibility. You are here so that you can both draw a map for others to find their way to rest as well as be a trusted guide who embodies rest.
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The Luminary
Empowered change shows up everywhere you go. You are next level wise. You hold up the light so that others can see. You spark one thing and the flame expands to fuel many more. You know that rest unlocks an inner radiance. You are here to both expand your light and call others into their light through the power of rest.
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The Grounded Healer
You are steady and reliable. Real. Not about that spiritual bypassing life. You are equally committed to your healing as you are to collective healing and it is evident in both your discipline and devotion. What frustrates others about being in process is the thing that anchors you. You know that none of this is actually linear. You know rest is a portal to healing. You are here to get the medicine you need and also to take it back to the people.
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The Dreamkeeper
*You translate the unseen and advocate for the imaginal. You know that we all have a dream and that it deserves to be made real. You protect your own dreams and tend to them with daily devotion. You are here to rest, dream a new world, and wake up to that reality. As a leader you courageously hold and help keep others and their dreams intact.
*Quote Dr. Chanti Tacoronte-Perez
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The Sacred Strategist
You are poetically precise in how you see problems and arrive at solutions. Deliberate and focused, you see more than the singular moment. You connect dots, recognize patterns, integrate experiences, and information in a way that leads others to move in the direction of possibility and their most sacred calling. You are here to rest and walk , heart forward toward your truest north star and lead others to theirs.
If you don’t identify with any of the above, that’s okay. It just means we aren’t the trainers you’ll vibe with most. Reach out to us at hello@octaviaraheem.com. Tell us more about you. If we can, we’ll help you find what you are looking for in order to further your rest and development.
The well rested
will lead the way.
Pause, Rest, Lead® Facilitator Certification Training
Training details
Duration
This certification training is 8 months online & in person retreat starting October 28, 2025 through June 28, 2026.
The Curriculum
Learn to lead a range of sacred restorative practices
(October 28, 2025 - June 28, 2026)
When you leave this experience you will be more than ready.
You will practice rest. You will live a more rested life. You will anchor your leadership in the power of the pause, the spirit of rest, and redefine leadership to include essentials that have been lost like: embodiment, heart, soul, imagination, and creativity. You will do this with clarity, courage, and confidence. You will listen more deeply. You will tell the truth that you hear, even if no one is saying it. You will hold space for change without wearing yourself down and out. You will follow and flow with your clients’ system and also guide them forward with ease and grace when necessary.
You will emerge with the wisdom, insight, skills, and capacity to Pause, Rest, Lead®. You will be able to seamlessly thread rest through your current offers as well as create new experiences and retreats focused on rest.
Rest Is Sacred Practice - you will begin with 40 days of personal rest and reflection as a group. There is no way around this: Your rest is the foundation of your rest teaching and facilitation.
Introduction to the nervous system and polyvagal theory
Foundations of Restorative Yoga
Meditation Level l
Leading with imagination and keeping (tending) to dreams
Introduction to deep relaxation and Yoga Nidra. Please note, this is not a Yoga Nidra training, it is an introduction to it.
The art of holding space
Rest practices for race based stress and trauma
How to Lead both 1:1 and group rest sessions online
How to lead both 1:1 and group rest sessions in person
Navigating (change) endings, beginning, and the in between with rest as outlined in Pause, Rest, Be by Octavia F. Raheem
Leading a sacred, Dharmic, impactful, and profitable business
Facilitation feedback circles
Here’s what we will cover in Pause, Rest, Lead® facilitator training:
Rest is so much more than lying down.
It is a place to be held.
To be lifted up too.
This is an eight month long journey because it needs to be. This is deep inner work and it takes time to integrate the teaching, learning, and personal transformation that occurs.
When
October 28, 2025 - June 28, 2026.
Online Meeting Times
Beginning October 28, 2025
Tuesdays 12:00 - 2:00pm ET
No Classes on
Tuesday
November 25, 2025
April 7, 2026
June 23, 2026
Online Peer Rest Practice
2nd and 4th Thursdays
7:30 - 8:30pm ET
Winter Pause
no classes:
December 15, 2025 - January 12, 2026
ALL Rest Retreat, Certification,
& Ceremony
June 24 - 28, 2026
Office Hours with
Octavia Raheem
1st Fridays Nov. 2025-June 2026 12:00pm ET
Course Hours
190 hours
Certification Requirements
Attend *live virtual sessions on time, with camera on, and participation/ engagement is a requirement. If you will miss more than two live online sessions, this cycle of training is not the best time for you.
Full attendance at Five Day Rest and Certification Retreat June 24-28, 2026. *This is mandatory.
Once you successfully complete all course requirements, you will receive a Pause, Rest, Lead® certificate of completion and be listed on our site directory.
Successful completion of the following assessments:
Design and deliver:
Four 20 minute 1:1 rest and reflect sessions. Record session and complete self assessment notes. Notes must be turned into lead trainer.
One 30 minute 1:1 rest and reflect session for the lead trainer. We’ll assess the experience together.
One group virtual rest and reflect session. You will receive formal feedback from the lead trainer and group.
One 1:1 in person rest and reflect session during retreat. You will receive formal feedback from lead trainer and group
Create a vision and plan for a:
Rest retreat for your ideal client. You’ll need to get clear on who your ideal client is (training will help with this), create a sample copy for a sales page, schedule, and marketing plan.
Beyond Training.
The following opportunities will be available to support your ongoing development:
Continuing education online and in person
Mentorship with Octavia Raheem
Assist future Devoted to Rest® cohorts led by Octavia Raheem
Additionally:
As our Rest School expands and grows, we’ll consider you, a Pause, Rest, Lead® graduate first for teaching, coaching, and training opportunities!
Meet your teachers
Pause, Rest, Lead® Creator
Octavia F. Raheem | The sacred strategist
Today I am a present wife, loving mother, and best selling + award winning author of three books: Pause, Rest, Be, Gather, and Rest is Sacred. Today I am the Rest Coach to Visionary Leaders who break the mode. Today I am a highly sought after speaker and teacher of restorative yoga & Yoga Nidra. Over a decade ago, I was tired, exhausted, and hanging on by less than a thread after suffering severe burn out that left me hospitalized. This is a sacred curriculum and offering to me. It is a living prayer that we can be well rested and still reach our greatest potential, abundantly thrive, positively impact our families, communities, and world.
Dr. Chanti Tacoronte Perez
The Dreamkeeper
Imagination and keeping
(tending) dreams
Dr. Gail Parker
The Luminary
Rest for race based stress
and trauma
Jennifer Sterling
The Path Finder
Introduction to nervous system
and polyvagal theory
Shawn J. Moore
The Grounded Healer
Meditation Level 1
Investment
$18,500
$1000 nonrefundable deposit required to confirm your space.
9 or 12 month payment available and begins any time between May 1-30, 2025
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
Applications received by March 1, 2025 preferred.
EARLY ADMISSIONS PRICING
$1500 off
Before March 1, 2025
(cannot be combined with other offers)
You teach the children and elders how to live and no longer fear their own deep breaths. You love so completely that in your presence, everyone feels real love.
You share yourself without depleting yourself.
You are a safe place to be.
This.
This is the new measure of prosperity in this new era.”
— Octavia F. Raheem
I am delighted you made it this far. It means that one or both of the following are present:
Curiosity and resonance.
At least one, curiosity or resonance need to be present because this is not simply a certification course. This is an initiation into a deeper awareness of the true power of rest , what it also means to do your sacred work, and hold others restoratively as they do theirs.
Fatigue and exhaustion is a spiritual crisis. Burnout is systemic and epidemic. We aren’t dealing with a regular old problem here. Here’s the thing. Rest teaching, facilitating, and coaching isn’t a remedy to burnout once it has occurred. It is an effective intervention personally and organizationally BEFORE burnout. Leaders get in front of the thing. You are a leader.
I also want to be clear that rest is gentle and it is also a disruptive force. You will be positively changed here and offering rest to your clients will also disrupt their regularly scheduled inner program. Before you apply, pause. Rest. Then answer this question: What is not yours to do? What is yours to do? How do you know? Really do this. From there, let your response lead to and reveal your next step. Let your way forward be informed by your rest. Apply here.
I have dreamed of you. Of us and I have seen this in my dreams: Patterns of exhaustion broken. Weapons of exhaustion defeated. Potential unlocked in the pause. Joyful and sacred rest that serves as a portal to creativity and inspired action. Clear sign posts of where to place your efforts to access the most ease.
This training is an expression of divine purpose and is a sacred assignment for me. If you feel that way too, apply.
Stay rested and shine bright,
Dear future Pause, Read, Lead® Teacher,
FAQs
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Part of the training takes place online and from the comfort of wherever you are located. The five day rest and certification retreat takes place at Elohee Retreat Center located in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia approximately 2.5 hours from Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.
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No. you must attend all five days of the rest and certification retreat. If you will miss more than two online sessions you will be ineligible for certification.
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Full participation with camera on is required for all online sessions. Replays will be available through June 28, 2026 for review and reference as you progress through your training experience.
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There is no training or equivalent to Pause, Rest, Lead® Facilitator and Teacher training. We are setting the standard for rest coaches, rest facilitators, and rest teachers. This training will provide you with 190-depth hours of training time, practice, hands on experience, sacred business coaching, a certificate of completion, and the knowledge needed to offer impactful rest based experiences in any environment. All of that to say, as leaders in the field we are certifying ourselves!
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This training is offered by application only to insure readiness and an appropriate match. In order to be considered, please complete the application here.
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This training is limited to 12 trainees to ensure individualized support, quality of experience and delivery, and group development can move at the speed of trust without compromising essential training milestones along the way.
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The rested will lead the way and we see a future where every organization and company has a rest facilitator and coach at the top level of their leadership. That’s to say, be bold in your investment and ask your company, board, or organization to support your future and theirs by contributing to your tuition for this training.
Though scholarships are not available we offer a 9 or 12 month payment plan and special pricing as follows:
Early admissions pricing of $1500 off (cannot be combined with other offers) Ends March 1, 2025
Re\Collective members- $3500 off (cannot be combined with other offers) Ends March 1, 2025
Devoted to Rest® alums - $2000 (cannot be combined with other offers) Ends March 1, 2025
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All online and in person training sessions, accommodations and meals for five day retreat, printed and digital training manual, all required texts (plus shipping and mailing) for training.
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Travel to and from the retreat center. Travel insurance is required for the retreat.
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$1000 deposit is nonrefundable.
Within six months or more of the training start date, receive a 75% refund.
Within three months before the training start date, receive a 50% refund.
Within 30 days or less of the training start date, receive 25% refund.
Once training starts, no refund is available even if you cancel.
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A background in yoga is helpful. More than simply yoga, you need to have consistent rest practice. For the purposes of this training we consider consistent at least three times a week for 12 months in one or more of the following modalities: restorative yoga, Yoga Nidra, meditation.
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12 months regular rest practice Regular rest practice assumes 3 - 5 days/week of practice.
At least three years as a coach, facilitator, or yoga teacher
You must be willing to commit to a daily rest & journaling practice to be part of this program.
