It’s been wonderful to share some time with you over the last few months at our Monday evening Yoga OASIS. Together we’ve explored some restorative yoga and the revitalising power of Yoga Nidra. Looking forward to continuing with our classes after the Easter Holiday from the 15th April :-) XxXx
You may have experienced how relaxing a yoga nidra session can be, but this goes beyond a technique for simply mind-body relaxation. There’s so many immediate benefits of yoga nidra, from reduced stress to deep rest. While there’s no substitute for a great night’s sleep, it’s said that a 30-minute yoga nidra practice is equivalent to 2-4 hours of sleep. 😴 Some of you have commented on how refreshed, relaxed and rested you feel after our sessions. So next time you’re in need of a nap, why not try some yoga nidra instead :-)
Yoga nidra works as a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. This response can balance our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, our ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ response leading to a calmer body and mind. While comfortable, warm and cared for, you’re gently guided by my voice to a relaxed state between wakefulness and sleep. It can help you learn to release your stresses, let go of emotions, improve memory, visualisation and awareness. In turn this can help to improve the quality of our lives and our sleep.
One of the most important stages of yoga nidra is the ‘Sankalpa’ or intention setting. This can help us to reach our goals faster and more efficiently. You may have noticed that our practice opens and closes with a sankalpa or our heartfelt intention. Representing our deepest desire, we say it to ourselves as though it is an existing reality. How often do we set goals in our minds, perhaps dream about them, talk about them, these thoughts come and go in our daily lives. When we develop this inner resolve, backed with the powerful willpower of our subconscious mind we can bring about changes in all aspects of our life. Yoga can offer a welcome tool that can help us to build towards fulfilling our dreams or simply making positive changes in our lives 💖
Experience yourself in silence..
The Yoga OASIS, Mondays at 7.30pm XxXx
I’ve been doing the meditative yoga with Jo for around 6 months, having never done any form of yoga before. I can say, hand on heart, it is one of the best decisions I’ve made. It gives you an hour and a bit of focus on yourself, without distraction, to breathe, to take time out from a hectic life to do nothing other than breathe, gently stretch and be calm. Jo looks after us with huge care and attention, covering us with blankets, lavender-filled eye masks and props us up on bolsters. We are pampered. It’s my one time of the week when I’m not Mum, teacher, wife, neighbour, friend.... l’m me and it’s bliss. For anyone who needs a bit of time out in a world that is always asking something of you, come along and let Jo simply let you be. Gilly