Yoga Nidra: Intentional Rest

Embrace the calming practice of yoga nidra, also known as yogic sleep—a meditation that rejuvenates your nervous system and leads your body into a profound state of relaxation. 

Whether your pause is a serene interlude amid life's afternoon chaos or a prelude to a night of restful slumber, this guided meditation invites you to embrace intentional rest in God's presence and welcome peace, beauty, grace, and light with your whole self. 

You will want to save this meditation to re-visit daily for intentional rest with your Creator. 

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:02

Hello and welcome. This is Whitney and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. Today's meditation invites you into intentional rest in God's presence. This yoga-nedra practice, or yoga sleep, helps reset your nervous system, invite your body into relaxation. You might choose to practice this in the midst of a busy afternoon or before going to sleep in the evening. However you choose to practice, I hope you'll be intentional with me and practice in God's presence. As we begin, I'm going to invite you to find a reclined posture on your mat, in your bed, on your couch, on your floor. Maybe you're in the car parked, of course, seat reclined. Wherever you are, let's be intentional to invite our body's, minds and spirit into this time of deep rest and relaxation. At the end of our time today, we'll close in silence, so, as you get comfortable, I'd like to remind you that you can find out more about these prayers and meditations and join our community to support the podcast and keep it happening. You'll find us at exploringpeacecom slash community. You can find me and links to my books at WhitneyRSimpsoncom.

Speaker 1: 1:58

Let us now savor and welcome God's peace and rest. As we settle in, allow your arms to rest by your side, legs slightly apart, palms up or maybe a hand on your heart and a hand on your belly to be intentional about your breath. As we begin, allow your eyes to close and welcome the next full, few deep breaths. Allow yourself to fully relax and let go of any tension as you choose intentional rest. Intention means that we're doing something on purpose, with intention. Today we come before God with the intention of rest for our bodies, minds and spirits. Proverbs 16-3 in the common English Bible says commit your work to the Lord and your plans will succeed. Today we commit our rest to God. May that be fruitful. Set an intention now before God. You might wish to say I am rested, I surrender, I am relaxed, I let go. Choose to be intentional in your actions during this yoga Need to surrender your whole self to God's guidance and the gift of relaxation.

Speaker 2: 5:20

I am relaxed. I let go. Choose to be intentional in your actions during this yoga.

Speaker 1: 6:02

Bring awareness to the top of your head. Imagine a beautiful light pouring down upon you, warming you to just the perfect temperature. You feel that light and that warmth begin at the top of your head and slowly travel across your face, throat, chest, arms, core, hips, legs, all the way to the soles of your feet. See and feel the light and the warmth. Rest in that light and warmth. Now See yourself in a restful place a garden, a meadow, an ocean, a gentle stream, a valley, a mountain. This peaceful place is the perfect temperature. The surroundings are beautiful. You see your favorite colors, you hear your favorite sounds, you smell your favorite smells. Feel the warmth of God's light covering you in this special place.

Speaker 2: 10:02

Feel the warmth of God's light covering you in this special place.

Speaker 1: 10:34

With the awareness of your breath flowing through your body. Feel the sensation of gratitude flowing over you Just as natural as your breath. Gratitude moves through you now, wordlessly, without moving. Use your imagination to express gratitude to God, to give thanks for this pause in this beautiful place, to give thanks for breath, give thanks for light, give thanks for God's presence in your life. Let gratitude move through you as naturally as your breath does now.

Speaker 2: 12:06

Let gratitude move through you as naturally as your breath does now. Let gratitude move through you as naturally as your breath does now.

Speaker 1: 13:05

Let gratitude move through you as naturally as your breath does, now Resting in God's light. Allow that light to guide you as you become aware of different parts of the body. Imagine that God's light touches that part of you now, offering you grace and rest and gratitude in this moment as you feel. Imagine or sense God's light touching the body part as I name it. Just relax that part of you, soften a bit more, yield a bit more, rest a bit deeper. Relax your feet Deep Prague, shins, calves, knees, thighs, hips, pelvis, pelvis, belly, chest, shoulders, neck, arms, hands, throat, jaw, mouth, cheeks, nose, eyebrows, eyes, forehead. Relax the whole head, relax the whole body. Allow the breath to move freely, flowing, naturally, refreshing, restful. Allow the light to cover you safe, warm, peaceful, grace-filled, comforting, intentional you.

Speaker 1: 22:45

Creator, god, we thank you for intentional rest. May we receive the rest. May we carry this rest forth into our day or evening and be reminded that your light and love and grace is really as close as our breath. In your name we pray Amen. Your yoga nidra is now complete. To return to your day, take a deep breath, roll to your side and press up when you're ready. Carry this rest and refreshment with you If you're ready to drift asleep, soften your breath, keep your eyes closed and savor God's rest. May God's peace be with you.