Yoga Nidra
Yoga (awakened consciousness) Nidra (sleep) is a form of guided meditation, a method of Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses) that allows you to scan the body and tap into a state of relaxed consciousness as the mind settles in a place between wakefulness and sleep.
Yoga Nidra offers a space to explore what you need in the moment, as well as an opportunity to work on releasing long-held emotions.
Yoga nidra can serve as a pathway to freedom without creating bodily stress. A samskara (mental groove) is formed by a repetitive thought or habit that is deepened in the mind and body, creating a mental impression (groove) over time. These impressions can cause negative reactions and emotions which prevent a unification of the five layers (koshas) of one's self. If these negative emotions continue to affect you, the mental/emotional layer of the self is unable to integrate with the other layers: physical, energetic, higher wisdom, and bliss body. This is where yoga nidra can be especially helpful.
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.
Yoga Nidra is typically done lying down (Savasana), and there are many scripts for yoga nidra practice starting from beginners simple practice to advanced scripts which can be intense and to be practiced carefully as you pierce the veil of the koshas ( 5 layers) of which we are composed off to help release blocked emotional energies in the various bodies to finally be in the Bliss body, a complete union of the Jiva atman (individual consciousness) with Paramatman ( God consciousness)
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.
I have a regular practice of Yoga Nidra so I can go into a state of deep rest, get messages & guidance. I also practice at night time before sleep as a way to complete the day and to have clear guidance in my early morning dreams. When practiced regularly one needs less sleep, body is healthy and strong, mind is clear and one has plenty of energy. As the first layer of the physical body gets purified with the emotional energies in the body mind it forms the pathway to next layer the breath and life force energy, and then it pierces the veil to the next layer mind- emotional body, then the spiritual heart which is the seed of wisdom and then to the spirit for the union with universal consciousness for ultimate state of bliss. This practice helps to guide you from the state of illusion of matter to the blissful state of union with God consciousness.
In addition to Asana, Pranayama, meditation and having a clean and healthy life style, Yoga Nidra is an asset to have so the internal GPS (guru processing system) is awakened for guidance in raising awareness, integration and ultimately Samadhi (enlightenment).
Shakti brings in sound healing for a deeper practice. Please read the section on sound healing for a better understanding.