Meditation Challenge Day 6: Yoga Nidra for Rest and Rejuvenation

(To be practiced on Friday, August 27)

I’ll tell you a secret: I’ve taken a nap almost every day this week. It started accidentally — falling asleep after my yoga practice. Then it became more intentional. I lie on my mat, open the windows, let the bird songs and humid air flow in, hold my favorite crystal of the day, and let myself drift off. My body naturally wakes up after about 15-20 minutes (shorter than a lunch break), and I often receive some powerful insights in that period between sleeping and awake. Some days, I’ll even hike up Wachusett and take a short nap at the summit. It’s one of my favorite summertime activities.

Yoga Nidra is loosely defined as yogic sleep. Yes, the yoga of napping is actually a thing. :) Your mind is aware and listening, but your body is resting. Just 20 minutes can rejuvenate you like a full night’s sleep, but without the grogginess of a longer-than-anticipated afternoon nap. That period of time when your body is in a deep rest is where the most healing can take place. 

Sometimes we think healing needs to be something we DO, like everything else. It becomes a task on the to-do list, an action that requires planning and motivation. But I find the best healing (especially for an overstimulated mind or tired body) is a period of NON-doing. It’s REST. This meditation will help guide you into body awareness, taking your mind on a journey in the present moment. It’s only 22 minutes and best practiced in a supported shavasana (lying on your back with props or blankets). I recommend making it a ritual of rest, playing some soft music or finding a quiet room where you won’t be bothered. Afterwards, if you feel the urge to drift off and nap — well, that sounds like a good plan to me. <3

**Today, take inventory of your typical day and see where you can fit in some moments of rest. It doesn’t have to be a nap, but a time to simply allow your body to be still and relaxed — even for a few minutes. Try making this a part of your everyday practice, so that you have a chance to recover and heal. This is so beneficial for your immune system, your nervous system, your muscular system, your metabolism, your heart — every part of the body can benefit from the balance of rest.**