Preparing for Yoga Nidra

Hello lovely people. I've put together some suggestions on how to set up for Sunday and a quickie explanation, in case this is your first Yoga Nidra.

Yoga Nidra means ‘yogic sleep’ (nidra means sleep) but it's not the normal sleep that we are used to. Nidra is ‘sleeping with awareness’ and it allows a deep physiological and psychological release and rejuvenation.

Yoga Nidra is a simple but deep meditative practice which is practiced lying down, guided by a teacher. The only thing required is to listen and follow the guidance, which is designed to induce total relaxation.

During the Yoga Nidra you will be systematically guided through the different stages, all with a view to bringing about rest and a deep feeling of peace and well-being. The practice is accompanied by our intention to let go of anxieties, pressures and stresses and consciously focus on a positive aspect.

Yoga Nidra induces full-body relaxation. Our conscious mind relaxes and the deeper levels of the mind, the subconscious and deep consciousness states awaken. This deep relaxation rejuvenates our body, mind and senses, restoring their natural function and in the process awakening a feeling of wholeness and tranquility.

This deep rest and feeling of well-being is used to bring about a sense of steadiness and equilibrium, thereby promoting our body's innate ability to balance and heal itself.

Setting yourself up for Yoga Nidra:

Yoga Nidra consists of eight stages, of which the first is really important, and I recommend you spend a little bit of time setting yourself up correctly before we start by creating a “Yoga Nidra Nest” - A place where you can lie down and be in maximum comfort.

Find a quiet spot - free of clutter. Make sure the space is a comfortable temperature. Whichever device you will be using to connect to this Nidra, please take a moment to connect your device to your favourite headphones or speaker, making sure this same device cannot accept calls, messages or activate alarms during the Nidra.

Turn off all of other devices, tv's, radio, music, cellphones, computers etc.

Let others in your home know that you need to remain undisturbed for at least 60 – 90 minutes, possibly longer. And close the door. (At this time I would like to mention that you might consider not making appointments directly after the yoga nidra. And if you can, I suggest you continue the rest and allow your body to fall into sleep if you feel you need it.)

Although we love our animal friends, it is not recommended to have pets in the same room in order that your deep rest and concentration will not be disturbed and you will not be startled when your cat, dog or bird makes sounds moving around, jumps on you or makes a sudden noise.

Use a Yoga mat or Thai mat for your practice. (If the floor is not comfortable you can lie down on your bed or a sofa.)

Cover your yoga mat with one or two blankets to make sure it is a comfy place to lay down. Always add one more blanket than you think you need. Your body becomes very heavy when in deep relaxation.

For Yoga Nidra, we lie down in savasana- legs hips distance. apart, feet open to the sides and palms facing up with arms about 60 degree's from the body.

Cover yourself with a light blanket and put on some cozy socks. Your body temperature always drops when you lie still for a while. Cover your eyes with a very light scarf or light eye pillow.

Its an option to place a bolster or rolled blanket / towel under your knees to support your lower back and a very flat pillow or soft blanket to support your neck and the back of your head.

Allow yourself to feel like you are lying in a warm nest of relaxation and ready to receive the healing power of Nidra.

We take the time to place ourselves like this so we can really release tensions and relax into awareness, and settle completely to focus on the breath and the words.

Nidra is a way to tap into that underlying sense of peace and rejuvenation that is always present . But above all, Yoga Nidra allows us to reach the most profound level of relaxation possible, allowing us to foster a quiet mind, quiet body, and a blissful spirit.