#82: Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra is form of guided meditation - also known as “yogic sleep” or “effortless relaxation”. It’s usually practiced lying down with a teacher guiding the session. The practice draws our attention inwards, and we learn to surf between the states of wakefulness and sleep, where our body finds its natural state of equilibrium (homeostasis) – the breath balances and becomes quiet, unconscious and conscious aspects of the mind reveal themselves, and we fall into an innate state of deep, blissful awareness.

In this episode, Andrew guides you through a 30-minute Yoga Nidra practice where you just lie back and rest! We start by setting an intention (why are we doing this) and enquiring into our deeper intentions for life (where are we going and are we on track?). Then explore a playlist of feelings and associations that make you feel safe and well. By connecting with a multi-sensory reflection bought about through memory, imagery and a felt sense, we are given back our birthright of well-being, belonging, security and ease.

Yoga Nidra takes us effortlessly into a state of harmonious, restful being. From here, we can be healed, restored and awakened to our deepest, all-knowing, all-welcoming self. It’s a sublime practice, gaining popularity the world over, and ongoing research continues to prove its effectiveness.

Absolutely anyone can practice Yoga Nidra, but it has immense appeal for those who struggle to let go (I think many of us have ‘battled’ through meditation at times!). It also has immense value for those suffering from sleep deprivation, trauma, anxiety or depression (to any degree). It’s also perfect for those who have always been curious about the deep states of meditation they have perhaps read about or stumbled across themselves but have never been able to recreate.