Yoga nidra has a long history, said to originate in tantric texts but is a much-loved and deeply relevant practice for today. It is used widely for a variety purposes: for deep relaxation, as a meditation practice, and also as a therapeutic tool eg for PTSD, and for other trauma and distress. In a very pragmatic way, it’s also a fabulous antidote to the stress and fatigue that can so easily build up in daily life.
During the practice we are guided systematically through a process of conscious relaxation, similar to sleep, but in which we remain awake and aware. We withdraw attention from the externalised world of the senses - which generally dominate our awareness - to the rich inner landscape within. In the yoga tradition this is called pratyahara. Pratyahara is an important step on the path of meditation. It allows us to experience different aspects and layers of the self - such as physical sensations, more subtle bodily awareness, emotions and thoughts, associations and memories, imagination and creativity - from a deeper part of ourselves. Instead of identifying with these ever-changing experiences, yoga nidra gives us an opportunity to feel past them, and to centre ourselves in the unchanging, peaceful, silent ground of our being, often referred to as the Self, Consciousness, or the Witness.
I often incorporate a practice of yoga nidra into our monthly meditation sessions. People are usually tired when they arrive, so it gives everyone a space to rest and recuperate, and feel more restored to themselves before we sit for meditation. It’s also is a very good preparation for more formal meditation practice because of its quietening and calming effect on the mind, the pratyahara aspect, which helps lead us away from reactivity and into more receptive states. In the liminal space between being awake and being asleep, the mind can then open up to its deeper layers of wisdom and creativity.
If you’d like to experience this wonderful practice, try coming along to a Friday meditation session! We have a theme or a practice as a structure for the session, sometimes inspired by a suggestion from someone in the group. We often use some movement and/or breathwork as well, so that we have a variety of body positions and not too long in one place - and then we sit for the guided meditation.
Practising together supports us all, as we all benefit from the energy of our joint practice. You can come along in person to my beautiful studio, or attend the session from home via zoom.
I welcome suggestions and requests for themes or practices you’d like to work with, and everyone is welcome. We’re a friendly bunch!