Hi everyone,
I've come on here to talk a bit about what is yoga nidra.
I think people hear the word yoga and they expect some kind of a movement practice.
Which yoga nidra isn't.
You spend the whole session in one position,
Usually lying down in Shavasana.
Yoga Nidra translates to Yogic Sleep.
It's a practice of stillness,
Rest and healing,
Of turning inwards.
If you know Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga,
Then this fits into the fifth limb,
Pratyahara.
Withdrawal of the senses.
The goal is to put the body into a sleep-like state.
Totally at ease and resting.
While the mind moves closer to a sleep state.
Resting but remaining awake.
Brainwaves slow,
But awareness remains.
During the practice,
We work through specific steps.
A structure that takes us down through the layers of being.
Koshers,
If you're familiar with that term.
These steps take us on a journey inward to meet our true self.
And here,
At the very centre of our being,
We can plant an intention.
This can sound similar to an affirmation.
But because we've worked through these steps,
We're planting it really deep in our subconscious.
So it becomes more powerful.
And once that seed of intention is planted,
It stays with you.
As we go about our lives,
And it begins to grow.
Even if you find it difficult and struggle to focus or you just fall asleep.
Your body and mind is still getting that deep rest and healing that so many of us need so badly.
So set some time aside for yourself,
Give it a go and see how you feel.