Good Savasana... Yoga Nidra

You know those days when you have a good savasana?  For me it's that sweet bliss that sometimes makes my head tingle and my whole body feel warm and free. Yoga Nidra or yogic sleep is a practice that takes me to that place regardless of how I began.

Yoga Nidra is a meditation technique that, like other meditative practices, will guide you to a deeper awareness independent of anything else. Freeing you from anxiety, stress, fear and other feelings we may label as icky, so that you may tap into your inner radiance.  

In the yogic tradition, Yoga Nidra is a state of consciousness beyond meditation that is entered through the exploration of the senses. It contains five elements to help you arrive at this deep state of consciousness:

• Breath awareness:  By focusing on the breath we are able to reduce the effects of stress and calm the nervous system. This calmness creates a clear mind and inner balance.
• Sankalpa or Intention:  This portion allows you an opportunity to set your personal intention or affirmation. Living a life of intention helps you to be and share your best self.   
• Muscular relaxation through 61-points:  This section will help rid the body of unnecessary tension and stored emotion in the body at 61 points.  It allows the body to loosen and let go of sustained muscular contractions.
• Energy awareness:  This step will open the chakras or energy channels of the body from the base of the spine to the crown of the head.  It will also help you feel your body as energy.
• Yoga Nidra:  This state you will achieve a complete awareness neither denying emotions, thoughts and perception nor taking them for anything else. It is a state in which one realizes the subtle energies in the body that gives life to our physical, spiritual, emotional and mental well-being.

Below are two opportunities to explore this beautiful practice.  
Prepare yourself to be sweetly rewarded for being you.