Yoga Nidra: Visualization

In my unscientific data collection, I have found that many yoga nidra practitioners favor the body scan as their most favorite section of Yoga Nidra meditation. The runner up favorite is visualization. This week, we discuss this topic.

Visualization allows the windows of your creative mind to begin to open. This visualization section can be done while your teacher describes images for your mind to focus on.

For example, "visualize an apple tree, a stone, a burst of white lotus petals." And the series of items would go on. Instructions may differ depending upon the teacher's lesson plan for you at the time. The lesson plan may be based on a particular intersection of physical energy points (chakra) or a specific theme.

Another method for visualization is a journey within the mind. I can be used in lieu of or in addition to the image visualization series. These imagined journeys are like travel for the brain. Your teacher will guide you through the journey as you make the sojourn your own. That is, one that resonates for you.

When I write my journeys each week I tend to place them out in nature, but they can be an exploration of the internal self as well. For example, a journey to the heart.

A typical journey that I write includes you as the main character. You may experience the journey in your mind or as an observer doing the cued activities. You are the star of this journey, so your mind can go anywhere you would like it to go. I am a guide that cues these visualizations throughout your personal exploration.

With the visualization section we near the end of the yoga nidra process. At this point, you may feel very near to the witness layer of being (vijnamaya kosha).

Or you may be even more deeply relaxed into the bliss layer of being (anandamaya kosha) where all brightness, beauty, and bliss are at hand. Here you are so very relaxed that your consciousness has room to deepen your connection to your self.

This is where we find blissfulness and peace. Since you may now be in that wonderful yoga nidra state between consciousness and unconsciousness, this is a good time to bring back the seed of the intention (sankalpa) that you planted earlier in the practice. Now you have made more space for that sankalpa to grow deeper into your being. You've made space to allow your intention to take root, and fully manifest in your being.

The entire process of yoga nidra is here to help release your body and mind into a state of well-being.

Tonight's yoga nidra deep meditation journey is about finding your gateway to bliss and peace. I look forward to seeing you there!

Ongoing Offerings

Yoga nidra classes continue 7:30 ET Monday nights online.

If you would like to participate in a yoga nidra class, but can't make it on Monday nights, please contact me to let me know what day/time works best for you. I am happy to form a class based on your own schedules. Using the form at the bottom of every page of my website.

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.

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I continue my availability for face-to-face or online private meditation and yoga lessons.