Rest and relaxation are important in our lives, but they are often overlooked. As a result of this, conditions such as sleep disorders are becoming more prevalent in our society. If this applies to you as well, Yoga Nidra might be just the thing you’ve been looking for.
Yoga Nidra relaxes the body from the inside out by way of the central nervous system. In these classes, we guide your attention to specific places. This will help you move you into a state of conscious deep sleep, beyond the dreaming state of consciousness. Your mind, however, will still be awake. In other words, Yoga Nidra is where the waking and dreaming stages of our sleep meet.
In the practice, we aim for the brain to always be aware of the truth by neutralizing the emotional reactivity of the unconscious mind. We note our experiences, memories, and thoughts, allowing us to identify which experiences are activating and/or triggering. As we do this, we empower ourselves to move past energetic blockages caused by our traumas.
Who Can Benefit from Yoga Nidra?
Yoga Nidra is a good practice for anyone looking to improve their sleep (even if practiced during the day!). The practice can also be very beneficial for anyone looking to alleviate symptoms of tension or trauma.
What Can I Expect During Yoga Nidra?
A 60- or 75-minute Yoga Nidra class will have the following stages:
- Physical practice of yoga.
- Sequences similar to Vinyasa Flow and/or Hatha Yoga.
- Helps to align internal energies.
- Initial relaxation.
- Brings focus to the breath and stillness to the body.
- Setting an intention.
- A short statement of something we would like to achieve.
- Body scan.
- Energy awareness.
- Brings awareness to inner sensations.
- Sense perceptions.
- Brings opposing sensations or emotions to your awareness. By focusing on these opposing emotions (such as fear and happiness), we neutralize your triggers. In doing so, you might experience memories of traumatic events. We will guide you through this.
- Visualization.
- Reinforces our earlier intention (#3), bringing it to the subconscious mind.
- Externalization.
- Awakens the body between sleep and wakefulness.
Yoga Nidra can also be a 40-minute class, without the physical practice (#1).
During Yoga Nidra, we will often uses props for rest and comfort. These might include blocks or bolsters. If you do not have these props, please contact us. There are creative ways to practice Yoga Nidra with objects already found in your house!
Lastly, please note that your Artsy & Me instructor is a certified Yoga Nidra practitioner. If you are looking for a teacher, or for specific forms of Yoga Nidra such as iRest, please let us know, and we will refer you to colleagues.
Benefits
- Reduces stress
- Teaches you about your body and mind
- Enables you to detach from your thoughts
- Improves sleep
- Releases tension
- Easily applied at home
Schedule
Contact us to express your interest in Yoga Nidra, which we offer in a group setting or as private sessions. Also, subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on all our services and schedule changes!