Resting into Wholeness: Yoga Nidra as a Journey Home to Who We Are Beyond The Exhaustion and Stress
Living Life In A Survival State
So many of us live fast-paced, ‘always-on’, rushed and demanding lives.
Lives that our human nervous system hasn’t yet adapted to.
In our modern everyday life, actual threats to our survival may be relatively rare - yet, our nervous system frequently perceives threats (a car cutting us off in traffic, an email from our line manager, a difficult conversation with our partner, ….).
These perceive threats trigger a cascade of physiological changes in our body, getting us ready to fight the perceived danger or run away.
While our body’s devotion to our survival is something to be grateful for, its eagerness to keep us alive can have dire consequences: chronic illnesses, fatigue, burnout, tension in the body and other physical symptoms …
One of the most important yet overlooked consequences of living hectic and busy lives is the fact that over time, we disconnect from ourselves.
We are so busy focusing on the external world, that we abandon our internal world.
We get caught into a vortex of overstimulation, overgiving and overachieving - without ever having a moment to pause, be still, allow our thoughts to settle and to connect with what how WE feel, and what WE need and desire.
The body may be sending us signals to let us know that we are exhausted, running out of capacity, needing rest … but it is like a radio playing in the background. We hear a vague noise, but we aren’t really listening. Not until those sensations get louder and more insistent, by which point we might have already slipped into burnout.
How can we reconnect with who we are beyond the stress, the busyness, the masks we wear and the layers of conditioning and beliefs we have accumulated over time?
Yoga nidra: A Journey To Who We Are Beyond The Exhaustion And Stress
Often referred to as "yogic sleep," yoga nidra is a profound rest and relaxation practice, which guides us into a liminal space between awake and sleep.
It helps us to not only deeply replenish ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally - but also to come home to the deepest parts of ourselves : who we are beyond the exhaustion, stress and the burdens we carry.
It isn’t simply about rest. It’s a journey home through all of our layers, a soothing balm for our nervous system, and a pathway to reclaiming our inner voice, the parts of ourselves we have disconnected from, and our sovereignty.
Yoga nidra guides us beyond the chatter of the mind and the physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, into a place of profound stillness and presence, where we touch our intrinsic essence and wholeness.
Journeying Into Who We Are Beyond The Persona & Masks
During a yoga nidra practice we are led gently through the 5 koshas or layers within our bodies:
The Annamaya Kosha (Physical Body): We begin by bringing awareness to the physical body. We learn to listen to its sensations and needs, honouring its signals and allowing it to rest and deeply replenish..
The Pranamaya Kosha (Energy Body): Moving deeper, we connect with our breath and the flow of life force energy and vitality ebbing and flowing within us. By tuning into our breath, we restore balance and harmony to our energy systems, and revitalise our entire being.
The Manomaya Kosha (Mental Body): As we progress, we encounter the mind and its myriad of thoughts and emotions. In this layer, we meet our mental chatter, beliefs and conditioning. Through yoga nidra, we observe these thoughts without judgment, allowing them to settle and dissolve.
The Vijnanamaya Kosha (Wisdom Body): Beyond the mind, we access our inner wisdom and intuition. This layer is where our deeper insights and truths reside. In this state, we begin to understand and integrate the lessons of our experiences, gaining clarity and insight.
The Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Body): Finally, we reach the innermost layer, the bliss body. This is the core of our being, where we experience a profound sense of peace, joy, and connection. Here, we touch the essence of who we are, experiencing our innate wholeness and oneness with the universe.
As we move through these layers, we peel back the masks, armouring and defences that have unconsciously built up over time. Like veils lifting one by one to reveal the essence of who we are: whole, wise, and unconditionally worthy.
Reconnecting with Our True Selves
Each practice is a journey of knowing ourselves more deeply, accepting all parts of who we are, reconnecting with our innate wisdom and sovereignty : the ability to craft a path forward that reflects OUR desires, dreams, and needs.
As we tune inward, away from the outside noise, we begin to hear our inner voice - a doorway into living life in a way that feels aligned with what we need and care deeply about.
We are invited to compassionately witness all parts of us without the need to fix or change anything, and as we do, we restore a sense of wholeness and harmony within ourselves.
This compassionate witnessing allows us to release old patterns and wounds, making space for profound integration and transformation.
How And Where To Start?
The beauty of yoga nidra lies in its simplicity and accessibility. It requires no special skills or equipment, only a willingness to be present and open to resting deeply, in ways that feel uniquely safe to us.
If you would like to experience yoga nidra first hand, you can access a free recording of my “Dissolve into your Deeper Self : an invitation to remember who you are beyond the stress and burdens you carry” yoga nidra here.
This will give you a flavour for the gentle holding and uniquely empowering nature of the Daring To Rest style of yoga nidras, which I am a facilitator of.
Please know that everything in yoga nidra is always an invitation and that we will all experience the practice differently. As yoga nidra invites us to slow down and dwell into our body : feeling, sensing, noticing - it can bring us into contact with tender material that our fast-paced lives haven’t allowed to be witnessed and felt.
As you get ready for our practice, make sure that you feel comfortable, resourced and supported.
If you are already familiar with yoga nidra and/or feel that you would benefit from a longer rest journey, I warmly invite you to join me on the Unhurried Rest Journey, which you can find more details about here.
