The Story Behind the Sri Sisters Lavender Eye Pillows

Do you ever need an excuse for a rest? I do! Busyness is just the other side of the laziness coin, as we explored in the 'My Worst Habit' blog. In case you are wondering, running around, being busy is my worst habit. So what to do?

Last year I got some wonderful advice from my yoga teacher Andrew. He told his yoga class about a simple very effective practice. This practice is a '5 Minute Rest'. It is to simply stop all activity and lie down, eyes closed and rest for five minutes each day.  "Five minutes rest each and every day for the rest of your life" were his wise words. My friend, June had also introduced me to a similar practice I think it is called the '6 minute repose'. Sorry June I cant exactly remember the number of minutes, but just like Andrew's '5 Minute Rest' it restores, calms and feels like a recharge. It is just like a mini savasana at the end of a yoga class, it calms, restores and refreshes both the physical body and mind.  This '5 Minute Rest' does not need to be restricted to once a day either. Often, I need an additional little recharge at the end of the afternoon, before preparing dinner.  

I have been using a 'POM lavender scented eye pillow' when I take my 5 minute rest or savasana. I simply lie down and pop the eye pillow over my eyes and rest.  I have enjoyed contemplating story behind the how I came to make the eye pillows, I hope you do too.  

My love of lavender began when a neighbour of ours, Fiona, gifted me a pretty little hand embroidered, bag filled with lavender, that she had made. (It is pictured above, as a pin cushion, next to my trusty sewing machine.) At the time Fiona was around 12 years old and she, and her sister Lauren, were my 5 o'clock rescue team. They would arrive like emergency service workers and help me bath and feed our 3 small boys, aged one, one and two at the time.

I was thrilled to receive this beautiful handmade gift, that smelled so good. That little bag sat on my bedside table for over 20 years and its lavender scent has I am sure aided my sleep. More recently I have replaced it with my 'POM Lavender Eye Pillow', however as you can see pictured above it now serves as my handy pin cushion and inspiration to put lavender into the POM Eye Pillows.  

I began making the POM Lavender scented Eye Pillows over a year ago. Again the profits made from them go into POM and its supportive connection with the WDC. I use the pillows in my yoga class savasana, and yoga teacher friends have bought them for their classes too. I have also given them away as presents, along with sharing the gift of the '5 Minute Rest'. 

Maybe you have received one from me and wondered what it was for! Now you know, and how to put it to good use too, "Everyday for the rest of your life!" 

More recently I have been in collaboration with the Kandy Woman's Development Centre (WDC) and plan to make 'Eye Pillow, Pillow Cases from their beautiful hand woven sari fabric. The POM Lavender Eye Pillow fits in there and can be removed when the eye pillow case needs to washed. This allows for hygienic use in classes. In my yoga classes I have personalized the pillow cases so the same student can use theirs each time.  This allows me to leave the pillows clean and wash the cases.  

As I said last week, I find it fascinating to think about all the amazing connections, events and people that are all interdependently woven together to make everything possible. The truth of our interdependence at ever level makes me extremely grateful for all those behind the scenes events and people that make my life possible. Even, POM 'Lavender Eye Pillows' and their new Sri-Sisters Pillow Cases.

f you would like a 'POM Lavender Eye Pillow and Sri-Sisters Pillow Case' I would be happy to make them for you. Feel free to send me an email  at maree@pom-melbourne.com and I will get back to you.

Work on revamping the POM website and shop are progressing well, thanks to Tara, Alice and Sam. Will continue to keep you posted on our progress.

Thank you for your continued support and friendship
Kind Regards and Best Wishes 
Maree xx ​