Yoga Nidra...a nap yoga style!

The subject of my yoga training on Sunday was Yoga Nidra, a style of meditation that I had never tried or knew much about...oh man was I missing out!  For some reason this style is not very widespread in the West but we need to start requesting it at our studios because it is heavennn!

Basically everyone gets under blankets on top of their mats as if they were taking a super long cozy savasana.  The teacher then leads you through a deep relaxation and guided meditation.  As your body completely surrenders you start to hover between sleep and awareness in this amazing meditative state called the hypnogogic state. It is said that one hour of yoga nidra is equivalent to FOUR hours of sleep!  Their are even masters of this that live completely on yoga nidra...never sleeping!

Yoga nidra has numerous psychological, physical and spiritual benefits.  Most of all it de-stresses you while rejuvenating and energizing your body and mind at the same time!  Like I mentioned many yoga studios don't have these classes yet so ask for them.  And until one is offered there are a ton of great cds and books out there that you can buy to do a yoga nidra practice at home.  A good one is Richard Miller's CD.  Also one of my teachers has a CD now.  His name is Jeremy Wolf and he has the most sooooothing voice EVER so I would totally recommend that one!

Happy napping...I mean nidra-ing!