Yoga Nidra
Life can be stressful, with lots of different worries. Our bodies and minds can feel overloaded, and rest can seem out of reach.
It’s essential to take some time to rest, to unplug, to just be.
Yoga Nidra is an effective and enjoyable way to do this. Using only our sense of hearing we draw all other senses inwards. Your nidra guide will take you on a journey to focus on the body and into your imagination. All this while you snuggle up with blankets and cushions.
Sessions can be run for individuals, or a group so contact Silva for details.
Yoga nidra for everyone...
What is yoga nidra?
Yoga nidra is a form of relaxation. It is usually a guided practice and allows you to access the state of consciousness that is between waking and sleeping. Yoga nidra will allow you to relax deeply. We are living in a time when many of us are exhausted and struggling to rest. The practice of yoga nidra allows us to carve out some time to focus upon our own relaxation. Sometimes, people drift off to sleep for some or all the time. This is fine; if the body needs to sleep, then allow that to happen.
Often as we try to relax, our mind wanders and we may begin to worry or think about something that causes us concern – this prevents us from relaxing. As yoga nidra is guided, the brain is occupied following the guide’s voice and this helps to reduce the wandering of the mind, aiding your relaxation.
Yoga nidra is practiced in a very relaxed position; lying down with plenty of cushions, blankets, bolsters and even a duvet if you like. The plan is that once you get comfortable, you stay still, but if you need to move – that’s fine.
What to bring to a session?
Wearing comfortable clothing is best. Some water to drink if you need it. Your yoga mat.
Lots of comfy things to make yourself really settled during the practice. This may include blankets, pillows, cushions, duvets, a sleeping bag, a bolster and eye pillow if you have them. All of these are good, if it helps you relax and rest – you can even bring your teddy bear if you like.
What happens at a yoga nidra session with Silva?
A yoga nidra session with me takes about an hour.
There is some very gentle stretching yoga movement to make lying down easy, followed by settling down and getting more comfortable. Once everyone is cosy, the nidra itself takes about 25 to 30 minutes.
The nidra usually involves a visualisation and I will always advise on the
theme so there are no surprises within the story whilst you relax. Drawing yourself back from the delicious rest takes a while. If it’s possible in the venue, I will provide a hot drink and some chocolate or dried fruit to have whilst we awaken fully and prepare for the journey home.
Take a moment
to relax and unwind.
Never having done any formal physical exercise, I started 1 to 1 yoga weekly sessions with Silva nearly 10 years ago when arthritis threatened me with a second hip replacement. I’m now 77 and have never looked back. Silva has taught me to understand how my body works and I started incorporating yoga techniques into normal activity to keep healthy and flexible. I may still be rubbish at walking long distances and climbing stairs, but focus now on what I can do and how I can retain strength and flexibility.
Forty years plus of yoga - the last 10 with Silva speaks for itself. A calm, sympathetic teacher. Yoga on a Monday morning is the best start to anyone's week. When there are holidays my body knows what it's missing! Thank-you Namaste.