Yoga Nidra

Take Rest. The field that has rested gives a beautiful crop.
~Ovid

I love experiencing yoga nidra.  I’ve been diving into this practice for over 40 years. It is my companion as I ride the tides of life’s transitions through the cycles and seasons of my life. This is a reflective practice that mirrors where we are in the present moment and what we bring to it. During our practice, we meet the fluctuating turbulent currents of mental angst, body tensions, emotional upheaval and disconnection from our true self. When we open to the sweet practice of yoga nidra, we slowly let go and drop into the stillness that resides in the abode of our soul. We receive the benefits of releasing tensions in the body, quieting the mind, slowing the breath, and turning inward, coming home. 

Yoga nidra is medicine that connects us to stillness. We commune with our energetic body beyond the boundaries of the physical body, mind, and emotions. We enter a non-judgmental realm accepting ourselves and life as it is now. This transformational practice invites us on a journey calling in our ancestors, guides, and protectors. We are cradled in tranquility, silence and peace.

What is Yoga Nidra?

Yoga nidra’s roots go back to 1000 B.C., Upanishad, and means "to sit down near the truth". It was an oral tradition passed down family to family, generation to generation. Yoga nidra also means ‘sleep’. It is a sleep-based meditation practice. You may practice lying down or sitting up. I love lying down and completely letting go into the journey. It combines alert awareness, progressive deep relaxation, breath awareness and incorporates visual and sense perception. We are taken into the alpha and theta sleep brainwaves even though you are awake, resting in deep stillness and peace. Yoga Nidra invites us to shift from thinking and doing to feeling, sensing and being. We do not need to have any experience with yoga, meditation or breath work to begin or benefit from this practice.

What are some of the benefits of Yoga Nidra?

Many chronic conditions of our times, like insomnia, auto-immune disorders, allergies, exhaustion, digestive issues, are symptoms of over-activity in the sympathetic nervous system (fight/flight/freeze). Yoga nidra turns on the parasympathetic response of our nervous system, creating a simple yet profound and sacred space to reconnect within. When you consciously let go and relax, you drop into the parasympathetic nervous system giving your body/being an invitation to come back into rhythm. You align the logical left brain and the intuitive right brain, bringing the nervous systems back into homeostasis. 

What is a Sankulpa?

A sankulpa is an ancient yogic practice of sacred intention during yoga nidra. You plant the seed of an intention (Sankulpa) deep within the subconscious realms of the mind. It requires a mindful, heartfelt commitment. You listen to your inner voice of guidance, and imagination. You dream into who you want to become, and how you want your life to manifest. It is your authentic voice, and you speak it in the present tense. It takes root immediately.

Integrating Essential Oils into Yoga Nidra

Anointing with essential oils before your yoga nidra practice enhances and deepens your experience. Essential oils can stimulate and assist your journey of awakening and healing, opening the flow of prana in the energy centers and meridians.  The scents can cleanse, balance and align the energy field.  Attuning to scent is a powerful soul medicine inviting us into unseen realms. By choosing specific scents to transport us into the realms of dreams and visions, we nurture and replenish our well-being, and cultivate our creativity. It is important that we choose a scent that is in resonance with our intention at that time.

Anointing Oil Practices

We create a sacred practice of prayer and renewal when we participate in a daily anointing ritual. Through these alchemical scents, we are initiated into centuries of tradition and ceremony that align and attune our body/being with the plant’s ancestral wisdom. Center yourself, pour a few drops into your palm and gently rub your palms together. Bring your palms up to your face and take four deep slow inhalations before you practice yoga nidra.

To shop a selection of original, artisan, essential oil blends, go to: elemental nature marketplace

Shop guided audio practices of yoga nidra in audio  marketplace  

Scheduling Yoga Nidra Sessions

Contact me if you would like to schedule a session. Sessions vary from 60 minutes to one and half hours and can be experienced in person or by phone.

Women’s Circle Yoga Nidra for Transitions & Rest

Contact me if you are interested in participating in Rest Circles or

gathering a circle of women and having me guide a yoga nidra for a specific transition.