What is Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is….
Yoga Nidra is an extremely healing, guided meditation, that when practiced regularly, can help with insomnia/sleep issues, reducing stress, anxiety, depression, adrenal fatigue, PTSD, and so much more. Yoga Nidra translates into “yogic sleep” and is a systematic method of relaxation inducing physical, mental, and emotional relaxation—while still maintaining a trace of awareness. Basically, the body falls asleep, but the subconscious mind is still awake, aware and alert (entering into what is called the “hypnagogic state”) and this is where the magic happens folks.
Healing, re-wiring, letting go and transformation. Yoga Nidra has been described as “bliss, for your brain” or as I like to call it, a “brain massage” so feel free to tune into one of my breath work videos, or even let me guide you through some gentle movement (audios) and then sit or lay back in your Nidra nest and innnn joy.
This practice, is effortless- all you need to do is lay down, get cozy, close down the eyes, follow my voice, and allow me to be your guide. Into deeeeep, relaxation and deeeeep, healing- of the mind, the body and the spirit.
In today’s fast paced world of “thinking and doing”…In the words of Frits Perls:
“Lose your mind and come to your senses.”
It’s time to pause and pivot my friends. To slow down and give yourself the gift of “feeling and being”.
This is the experience of Yoga Nidra or “Yogic Sleep.”
With the equivalent of 4 hours of deep REM sleep, 1 hour of this powerful practice will leave you feeling deeply relaxed, rested and renewed.
By starting to release and let go of all that no longer serves you, you can begin to create the space in your body and in your mind for all that DOES serve you moving forward.
Simply lay down, grab some pillows, blankets, an eye covering and some headphones and allow my voice and my vibe to gently guide you into your own healing process- The journey back home to you.
Who is it for?
Absolutely anyone can practice Yoga Nidra. A deeply healing practice for appeal for anyone struggling with insomnia/sleep issues, trauma, stress, anxiety or depression (to any degree). It’s also perfect for those who have always been curious about the deeper states of meditation that they have perhaps read about or stumbled across themselves but have never been able to recreate/ access.
For me, Yoga Nidra has become the primary “tool” in my “tool belt of life” because through deep heartfelt listening, relaxation and surrender, so many problems/issies of the body and the mind find harmony and resolution- all on their own.
How do you practice?
Basically, lie down with all your props, pop your head phones in, close your eyes and gift yourself with some deep, healing rest. Find “your harmony.” Dawn will guide you through your practice where you can begin to relax, restore and rewire. You can not get it wrong!
Thanks for asking! Check out the video on the Setup your Nidra Nest page.
Where does Yoga Nidra come from?
Yoga Nidra has its roots in a philosophy called Sankhya that was first written down around 700 BC. Over centuries, people practiced these teachings and expanded upon them – Patanjali and the Buddha being some of its more famous proponents. These teachings were further explored in the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta (meaning ‘not two’ – ‘non-dual’) and a century or so later, the teachings of Kashmir Shaivism.
This encompasses an incredible breadth of experience and practical guidance, all pointing us to a simple truth: at our essence we are the stillness of awareness and that this inner light, when explored, takes us into the macrocosm and the realization of our unity. The practice of Yoga Nidra becomes an experiential map of the history of meditation and encompasses all of these philosophies along its journey.