Yoga Nidra, also known as “yogic sleep” or sleep with awareness, is a state of consciousness between waking & sleeping, awakening the mind & cultivating full body release. It is a state in which the body is deeply relaxed & the practitioner becomes systematically & increasingly aware of the inner world by following a set of verbal instructions.
This class will include gentle, mindful movements by candlelight (which prepares the body for Yoga Nidra), along with a guided deep relaxation practice that will invite you to tap into your intuitive & creative nature where a great healing can take place.
How to prepare for class?
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Build a nest: bring blankets, pillows, bolster, shawl, eye pillow, anything to make yourself feel supported & comfortable!
- Have a Sankalpa ready to go: once the mediation begins you will have your intention committed to memory and will be ready to manifest it during the session.
What is a Sankalpa (Intention)?
A Sankalpa is a resolve or intention that is made during the practice of Yoga Nidra. It is a short phrase or sentence, clearly & concisely expressed, to bring about a positive change in your life. Your Sankalpa remains private to you & is not something to be shared with another person. During Yoga Nidra, the mind nurtures this intention at a deep level like a seed that is planted. Sankalpa is translated as “That which brings you into harmony”.
How to choose a Sankalpa:
First, ask yourself what your intention is for the practice. Usually it involves some manner of acceptance or change (reforming a habit, improving quality of life, setting a goal to achieve). Examples: “I am at peace, even though my body is not perfect.” or “I am Relaxed.”
Whatever Sankalpa you choose, it is best stated in the present tense, as though it already exists. By speaking your intention in this way, it reinforces it as truth & begins to create a neural pathway of existence in your nervous system.
Next, it is suggested that you work with just one Sankalpa until it is realized – instead of bouncing around several different ones. The specific words may evolve to what resonates better with you, but stay with one until it is realized or no longer resonates for you.
Lastly, there is no need to struggle or force a Sankalpa. Don’t worry about whether it is perfect. Just pick one & begin working with it. It will reveal itself to you. As you weave your Sankalpa into the practice of Yoga Nidra consciously, it begins to weave its own way into your subconscious, your physiology, and your life positively.
wldavidson YOGA & MINDFULNESS 