Community Gathering: Yoga Nidra

This month our Community Gathering will be an evening meditation session of Yoga Nidra with Jennifer Steffener. The session will last 60 minutes so plan ahead as you might be sleepy afterward.

We often think of rest, sleep, and relaxation as synonymous. Yoga nidra, also commonly known as yogic or psychic sleep, is a profound and effective meditation technique. This simple yet powerful yoga practice is easy to develop and maintain. As you rest in savasana (corpse pose) or a comfortable reclined position, you will be guided through a systematic meditative journey into the subconscious and the pancha maya koshas (five layers of self). As you pass through each layer to the next, your inner wisdom awakens, unnecessary stress and mental fixations soften and begin to fall away, and you are reunited with your natural state of happiness - the changeless part of yourself. Yoga nidra and sleep share many of the same benefits as they both help to heal the body, reduce stress, strengthen the immune system, improve memory, and manage pain. The key difference is that while your body is relaxing, your mind remains awake with the one pointedness of attention of meditation.

No experience necessary and all levels are welcome. Expect some gentle movements with breath to prepare. Yoga Nidra is practiced reclined or lying down in Savasana. Do your best to create a quiet, comfortable space with pillows and a blanket, if needed.

Jennifer Steffener is a Licensed Massage Therapist,  an accomplished Certified Tai Chi, Qigong, and Meditation Instructor and Registered Yoga Teacher.

Time: 4:00-5:00pm PT / 5:00-6:00pm MT / 6:00-7:00pm CT / 7:00-8:00pm ET