A reminder that you can find all my previous blogs/newsletters here.

Yoga Nidra: Dualities

Our last discussion of the commonalities amongst different styles of yoga nidra, we discussed the breath. Here the discussion continues with the section of feelings and emotions through the lense of dualities. In some styles of yoga nidra, this is known as opposites.

Sense perception is key to this segment no matter what it is called. Embracing opposites helps to support your mental and emotional state as you sink deeper toward your blissful yoga nidra state. In yoga nidra, all feelings are embraced whether they are positive or negative. We recognize the hard stuff and then consider its opposite to help balance your feelings and emotions while in the manomaya kosha (thinking/emotional layer) of the meditation. Some may fall asleep during this segment, but trust yourself that you are still reaping multiple benefits in this deeply relaxed state of consciousness.

During a teacher-led yoga nidra practice you may hear statements about hot and cold, dark and light, heaviness and lightness, small and large, happiness and sadness. Embracing these dualities helps to let go of extraneous or even unpleasant thoughts and emotions as the mind sinks deeper toward its natural blissful state.

Do keep in mind that the sections I describe in this and the previous yoga nidra blogs/newsletters, may not always apply at every single yoga nidra practice that you do. A lot of it depends on your current state of mind and physical well-being at the time of the practice. Sometimes it may be hard to settle in if there is a full moon or extra stuff going on in your life. But all that is okay because yoga nidra is a practice. A practice in the sense that we do it over and over as we get to explore our deepest sense of bliss.

Resources:

Reis, J. (2018). Yoga Nidra Teacher's Manual. Privately published.
Saraswati. S. (2009). Bihar, India: Yoga Publications Trust.

Ongoing Offerings

Yoga nidra classes continue online at 7:30 ET Monday nights. Join me tonight for a beautiful relaxing journey that will help you to heal, relax, and de-stress for an hour.

Meditation & Yoga for Organizations

Using yoga and meditation techniques, I am available to support an organization's institutional mission and values tailored to the needs of employees. Meditation and yogic exercise have been shown to promote wellness that boosts employee morale, effectiveness, and productivity (Sheelu, Garg, & Rastogi, 2022). If you know someone who may be interested in setting up a meditation or yoga class for a retreat or as a regular amenity or employee benefit in their organization please forward this link to them.

Private Lessons

I continue my availability for face-to-face or online meditation and yoga private lessons. Contact me using the form at the bottom of every page on this website.