Guided Meditation Practices
Yoga Nidra, also known as "yogic sleep," is a deep relaxation practice that originated from ancient yogic traditions. It is a systematic form of guided meditation that leads you into a state of conscious awareness between wakefulness and sleep.
The practice of Yoga Nidra encourages you to explore different levels of consciousness, including the physical, mental, and emotional states. By guiding your attention through different parts of the body and various sensations, it helps release tension, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being.
Yoga Nidra is often used as a therapeutic technique to manage stress, anxiety, insomnia, and other sleep-related issues. It can also be beneficial for improving focus, enhancing creativity, and deepening self-awareness. Regular practice of Yoga Nidra has been associated with numerous benefits, such as improved relaxation, enhanced cognitive function, increased mindfulness, and a sense of inner calm.
It's important to note that while Yoga Nidra is generally safe and suitable for most people, it's always a good idea to consult with a qualified teacher or healthcare professional before starting any new practice, especially if you have specific health concerns or conditions.
Grounding Yoga Nidra Practice
Bring awareness down from an over-active mind back into the body, balance your energies, and connect with the grounding element of earth.
This is a great practice for anyone who’s feeling overworked, overburdened, stressed or on the rollercoaster of busyness/exhaustion.
If you can begin with a yoga asana practice rooted in the lower chakras. For example, a seated sequence of neck stretches, shoulder rolls, forward bends, twists and side bends.
Sankalpa Yoga Nidra Practice
In this Yoga Nidra practice, you will be invited to create or reconnect with your ‘sankalpa’.
Sankalpa is the Sanskrit word for intention. San means “to become one with” and kalpa means “time” and “subconscious mind.” In LifeForce Yoga, we use sankalpa as a way to set an intention, to connect with your heart's deepest desire.
Refresh yourself with the inspiring felt-sense of your sankalpa and replant it once again.
Use before or after a yoga class or other healing treatment. Or if using it as a standalone practice, consider beginning with a minute or two of simple stretches to release bodily tension – such as seated or standing shoulder rolls, twist, side bend and forward fold.
