Awake & Aware
Traditional Yoga classes may not be for everyone. Yoga Nidra is a practice the everyone can do. It is easy to follow at any age. All that your body needs to do is lie down on the floor or practivce in a seated position. During Yoga Nidra you will relax the total body and mind while listening to soothing music while being read a guided meditation. You can't do this class wrong and no prior experience is needed, This class will help reduce stress while calming the nervous system. Here are four benefits of Yoga Nidra:
1. Anyone Can Do Yoga Nidra
Intense Vinyasa and long Asana holds are not for everyone. Yoga Nidra, however is a practice that everyone from children to seniors can do. It's easy to follow at any age. All that your body needs to do is lie down on the floor. Even if you can't lie down on the floor, you can practice this seated.
2. You Cannot Practice Yoga Nidra Incorrectly
As you lie down, suported in savasana, all you have to do is follow the voice that is guiding you. It's likely that you will remember certain parts of the meditation and not others. Everytime you come to the practice you encounter a new experience-none of which is wrong. Falling asleep is okay too as you will stil receive benefits while the unconscious mind is absorbng the practice.
3. It's a Simple Way to Reduce Stress
Yoga Nidra promotes deep rest and relaxation that is not found in your average meditation practice. The stages of the body scan and breath awareness alone can be practiced to calm the nervous system, leading to less stress and better health.
4. Yoga Nidra Offers The Opportunity To Learn About Oneself Intimately
Some people crave the profound relaxation that this practice instills, while other practitioners use the non-judgemental and secure atmosphere that Yoga Nidra provides as window into themselves. Yoga Nidra offers a space to explore what you need in the moment, as well as an opportunity to work on releasing long-held emotions. During Yoga Nidra you are able to experience an emotion and come "face to face" with what you want to overcome, without "diving into it completely"-meaning without feeling the emotion so completely that you become overwhelmed. Over time you continue to experience the emotion and associated feelings. moving deeper into the practice.
Source: Yoganational.com
Yoga Nidra is practiced on the first Friday of Every month at the Elmhurst YMCA at 6:15 p.m. The first session is May 7, 2021. Reservations are required.