I am sure I am not the only person who feels the need for some rest right now. I have managed to say no to many of the usual Christmas-time pressures, but there is still a feeling that it’s not just presents that need to be neatly wrapped up by the end of this week. I can feel myself pulled into other people’s schedules and I still have last Friday’s blog to finish, emails to send, and a podcast episode to record.
In the midst of all this busyness I give you this invitation to rest. I stopped this afternoon to record a yoga Nidra for you and offer it now. To be listened to at your convenience. I can save you from making the same mistakes as myself with this nudge to say the times you think you don’t have time to rest, to pause, to do nothing for 20 minutes, well, spoiler, that’s the time you probably need it most. Rest is a necessity, not something to be earned, or saved to the end of a long list of tasks.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is a practice using states of consciousness. It is often translated as ‘yogic sleep’ but more accurately we are aiming for those theta brainwaves, somewhere between awake and sleep, where the subconscious can rise into the conscious mind.
There is no right or wrong way of doing Yoga Nidra. It is accessible to all. It was the one form of yoga I could do during chronic illness when my body would not allow me to move.
Preparation
How comfy can you get? There is no movement in this practice, just simply lie or sit and listen to my voice. Blankets, cushions, eye masks are all welcome. Whatever you need to deeply relax. If this is on your bed, do that, or if you prefer a chair or maybe the floor, go with those.
Taking the Practice Deeper
I have a 4 week course of Yoga Nidra starting on the 7th January 2024 called Permission to Rest. You can find all the details here and if you have any questions please ask.
There will be no cameras on during the sessions, just time for you to explore rest and Yoga Nidra. The sessions will be recorded and the links sent out if you can’t make the live Sunday evening ones.
This course is free for my Substack paid subscribers - sign up here.
Yoga Nidra for Peace
I hope you enjoy this practice.
Jen x
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