What is Yoga Nidra?

First, let's take a closer look at the general steps in setting up for a simple ‘seated’ meditation:

*Begin by sitting down on floor, gently bending knees & crossing feet in front of you…

*Lifting top of head toward ceiling, lengthening the spine & sitting up straight…

*Relaxing shoulders down away from the ears, allowing arms to hang loosely with hands gently resting in the lap…

*Checking that chin is parallel to floor – rather than tucking into chest or lifting up to ceiling…

*Gently closing eyes and begin focusing your attention on breath flowing in and flowing out…becoming aware of the natural pattern of breath without trying to control or manipulate it… While focusing on the movement of breath, notice when thoughts enter the mind, just release the thoughts, and return your focus to the breath…Continuing in this ‘meditative state’ for duration of mediation session.

In this ‘simple’ form of seated meditation, there is quite a bit of ‘doing’ happening, such as:

*Engaging various muscles to keep the body seated upright, and then…

*Looking out for random thoughts popping up, as well as…

*Making the choice, over and over, to not hook into or get hi-jacked by any of those thoughts…

All of this ‘doing’ requires lots of focus and energy, which may not feel very relaxing. That experience is why so many of us struggle with developing a personal meditation practice.

However, all hope is not lost…

The good news is…YOGA NIDRA is meditation made easy!

In fact, the body already knows how to receive a Yoga Nidra session – since this practice uses the body’s natural process of ‘falling asleep.’

Generally, Yoga Nidra is practiced while lying down -- it can also be practiced while in a supported-seated position. Whether lying down or seated, the practitioner is guided from wakefulness, into relaxation, and then through deeper brainwaves into a sleep-like state. As we drift down deeper through the brainwaves, our thoughts naturally move further and further away from us. Through Yoga Nidra, we are entering into a state of complete non-doing. Within that space – between us and our thoughts – meditation happens…effortlessly because our body already knows how.

One of the many wonderful aspects of Yoga Nidra is that it is accessible to everyone – ALL body types can practice it! This type of yoga practice helps the body learn how to relax more easily and experience a sleep-like state, while remaining awake and alert.

Yoga Nidra has many benefits – one of its key benefits helps to reverse the effects of stress. It helps practitioners shift from experiencing stressful responses to life and instead experience more relaxed interactions with life.

Have you been feeling stressed, tired, or stuck lately? Do you feel like this is your ‘new normal’?

No matter the situation, if you would like to shift your experience from tension to relaxation…This is your invitation to give this ‘Yoga Nidra’ thing a go!

You can access a free recording "Relaxation" from the Gifts! page or click the button below. BEFORE you press start on the recording, Please make sure you are in a location where you can safely have your eyes closed  for the duration of the Yoga Nidra session…Enjoy!