Restorative Yoga & Yoga Nidra

Self-care is giving the world the best of you

instead of what's left of you
Katie Reed

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Are you in need of some time for yourself?  I would love you to come to my next ‘True Relax’ session, they are usually on Wednesdays, about once a month at 8pm for 45 minutes.  

 

The sessions are all online, I use Zoom which is the easiest bit of kit to use for these things.  I simply send you a link and you click on it just before 8pm and hey presto! You are there!  To book True Relax press here.

 

I am so passionate about the relaxing qualities of Yoga Nidra and Restorative Yoga.  You will feel so nourished and rejuvenated afterwards.  Yoga Nidra is not the same as sleep but it does provide the benefits of sleep, most importantly, the state of deep sleep. 

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Why would you want to do Yoga Nidra?  In the current, modern climate we always try to be productive, it's great to step aside and really rest.  Nidra allows us to reach the state of deep sleep or delta wave sleep.  This is deeply healing and restorative.  It benefits your brain and your physiology.  This has been shown scientifically.  It has been said that 45 minutes of Yoga Nidra is equivalent to 3 hours sleep, although I have not been able to find the actual research that supports this.  Overall, I find it a useful tool to use when I know I have not been able to have a good nights sleep, when I have woken a couple of times.  This disturbs the sleep cycle making it less restorative.

 

These two aspects of yoga will relax your nervous system so you sleep better, you feel much better in yourself as your body has become more balanced.  When the class finishes, you will emerge, still in your own living room, tranquil yet energized. These combined allow your body to nourish itself so that the pain of arthritis may subside, the uncomfortableness of fibromyalgia may recede.  Gentle movement can ease tension and melt away stress so that you may feel less anxious.  It helps improve your immune system so you have improved resistance to illnesses.

 

You can receive these beautifully crafted classes all in the comfort of your own home.  No need to struggle through traffic or bad weather.  When you emerge from the class your mind and body are in the ideal setting if you wanted to try meditation as the mind is calm and focused.  Many of my students are then happy to spend a few minutes in quiet contemplation using either a timer or an app to enjoy their meditation.

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What to expect;

We start at 8pm prompt so it is nice to log in about 10 minutes early, you don’t need to share your video or sound.

It is nice to prepare a lovely, cosy setting for your evening ahead.  This may include:

• Your yoga mat or a soft towel

• A bolster or a rolled up blanket

• Some blocks if you have them

• An eye cushion or mask (or a soft t-shirt or face flannel)

• Some cushions off the sofa or large bed cushions

• Some blankets or light duvet for cover

• Maybe a warm drink of milk or herbal teach such as chamomile

• Maybe some gentle music

• Maybe some fragrances such as lavender

• A little of your favourite oil if we massage the face, neck and hands

• If you wear something stretchy, pyjamas are ideal, maybe socks too

• Take time you make yourself a lovely little nest
   

When you have gathered all these together simply lie down and wait for the class to start.

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All you need do is listen to my voice and occasionally glance at the screen to see the options I have chosen for the restorative yoga poses.  I often use pictures so share my screen so you can see the options clearly. 

 

You can then build or layout each option and make yourself comfy and warm in each pose.  All poses are for relaxation so if you have any discomfort or pinching please come out of the pose and rejig your set up until it feels just right.

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We have a small warm up at the start to allow the blood to move around the body and to oil the joints gently.  For the Restorative Yoga, we stay in each pose between 3 to 6 minutes.  We use the props we have gathered to provide a sensation of literally being on a cloud.  To book True Relax press here

 

Restorative Yoga can calm down nervous systems, relax the body, and release tension from the mind, and it is possible to let go of the idea of stress  Mona Anand

 

We then move to Yoga Nidra and here you lie on your back or whatever is most comfy for you.  You can have your knees draped over a bolster, a pillow, a cushion or a folded blanket.  The aim of this pose is to enable you to not want to move, to be happy to be perfectly still whilst you listen to my voice.

Through the Restorative and Nidra practices please ensure that you are warm and cosy.  Spend time draping the blanket or light duvet over yourself.  It is good for the brain to focus on my voice or your music rather than experience cold as this will reduce the overall effect.

 

I talk you through the nidra, which takes about 20 minutes.  You might fall asleep, you might stay awake.  If you do fall asleep be assured that your subconscious will take what it needs from my words.  There will be a section where you focus on different parts of your body, there is often a section where I ask you to visualise a walk or different objects.  If this doesn’t appeal to you then simply relax and wait until the next stage.

 

At the end I simply close down the call, you can remain in your state of relaxation for as long as you wish.  The aim of the session is to enable your parasympathetic nervous system to be activated and allow your innate healing processes to work on your body.  You may need a drink of water after the session.

 

I am so passionate about these practices, I use them regularly myself and I wish I had known about them when I was younger.  If you have any feedback on them please contact me or if you have any queries, either way I would love to hear from you.  To book True Relax press here.