Hi everyone – and happy new year!
I hope you all had a restful break and a chance to re-charge. If you are back at work this week, it may take you a little while to re-acclimatise, focus and get back into the swing of things after having some time off and away from ‘work mode’.
If this sounds like you, one tool that can really help you to focus and relax your mind is Yoga Nidra – or ‘yogic sleep’. Despite the title, the aim isn’t actually to fall asleep, but to arrive at a state between wakefulness and sleep, usually via a body scan, known as a ‘rotation of consciousness’, breath awareness and a series of visualisations.
The goal is to achieve a deep sense of relaxation whilst also maintaining a heightened level of awareness. It can be practised after work – to help calm the mind; before you go to sleep – to help you relax; or even in the morning – to help set a positive and focused mindset for the day ahead. It really is the perfect tool that can be adapted to suit your needs!
As a special new year treat, I’ve recorded a little guided meditation for you, based on Yoga Nidra, which I hope will help you rest and re-charge, ready to meet the demands of the rest of the week!
For this practice you will need:
- A quiet space, where you can rest, undisturbed for 15/20 minutes
- A mat to lie on in 'Shavasana'*
- A blanket and socks to keep you warm
- An eye pillow or mask to cover your eyes (if you have one).
*If you prefer to sit upright, you can sit in a comfy chair and if you practice before going to sleep, you can be lying in bed.
Click on the link below to start the recording (headphones recommended). I hope you enjoy the session!
Please note that this recording is just my own mini version of a Yoga Nidra, designed for a quick reset. Sessions can be, and often are, much longer than 15 minutes. To read more about Yoga Nidra and its benefits, I’d recommend the original ‘Yoga Nidra’ by Swami Satyananda Saraswati (available in all the usual places!).
January classes start next week – if you haven’t yet booked a class, you can do so via the website: https://www.seasideyoga.co.uk. I look forward to seeing you there!
Have a great week!