WHAT IS YOGA NIDRA?

The phrase Yoga Nidra comes from the Sanskrit language and is often described as meaning “yogic sleep.” Yoga Nidra is intended to produce a state of relaxation that is similar to sleep, but involves maintaining conscious awareness of the environment.

 Existing research suggests that Yoga Nidra may help people fall asleep faster and experience higher quality sleep. Yoga Nidra improves stress and anxiety for the same reasons it improves sleep — by slowing the sympathetic nervous system and prompting the parasympathetic. Research measuring autonomic nervous system activity confirms that engaging in Yoga Nidra triggers a relaxation response.

WHY iREST YOGA NIDRA?

I took my first class of iRest Yoga Nidra in 2014 with the founder, Dr. Richard Miller. It was a day-long workshop, and by the end of the day, I felt so relaxed, clear, and at ease that I wanted to learn more. I was also excited to discover that the teachings were based on the non-dual philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism, the philosophy I was raised with. It felt like synchronicity.

Over the next few years, I signed up for all the trainings, retreats, and mentorship programs. During these years of daily evening practice, I learned many tools that were helpful in my healing from past traumas. Many times after a practice, I would feel a peace that I had not experienced since I was a child.

In 2017, I was asked to teach two meditation classes a week at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where I was already teaching Yoga and Yoga Philosophy. These meditation classes were based on pranayama (breathing techniques), gentle movement, and iRest Yoga Nidra. The response from my students was positive. One student said, "I learned tools I can use for the rest of my life. I feel more enabled to use meditation in my life during difficult times." Another shared, "This course really helped my mental health this semester. Taking the time to relax, take care of myself, and reflect on things was extremely beneficial. Shanna's expertise in this area is incredible, and I think her teaching style fits very well with LMU's students."

Each semester after the first one, the meditation classes would fill up in the first week of sign-ups. During these years of teaching, I was able to fine-tune the mixture of breathwork and Yoga Nidra that helped students become more aware of their actions and reactions in life. I taught them ways to create intentions to guide them through the day, ways to use breath to calm, clear, and refocus the mind, and helped them understand that we are so much more than this body, this mind, and this ego. We are whole, expansive, unbroken, and so much more than we can imagine with our limited minds.

Since moving to Oregon, I have wanted to teach a class similar to the one I taught at LMU. Now, the opportunity has opened up. These sessions will teach you how to cultivate presence throughout your day by incorporating breath awareness practices. Through gentle guidance and practical techniques, we'll explore how to integrate awareness into your daily routines, helping you navigate life's ups and downs with greater clarity and ease. Join us as we embark on this journey of self-discovery and learn how to infuse each moment with presence and awareness. 

If you want to read more about the benefits of iRest Yoga Nidra click on the link below:

https://shop.irest.org/

 Our welcoming community awaits you as we journey together towards inner peace and well-being. Reserve your spot today and embrace a tranquil escape amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life.