Yoga Nidra: Body & Soul Rest

Discover a state of profound relaxation in this Yoga Nidra practice, often referred to as yogic sleep. This practice allows you to rest deeply while staying fully aware, making it ideal for unwinding before bed, rejuvenating during the day, or simply finding a moment of peace whenever your soul craves it.

This episode promises to be a sanctuary for your body and soul, helping you embrace stillness and find rest in God's loving presence. Pause today and discover the relaxing benefits of Yoga Nidra for yourself. 

Transcript

Speaker 1 0:02

Hi, I'm Whitney and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. Today's practice is a Yoga Nidra practice. This version of yogic sleep invites you into a deep state of rest. You'll remain alert and awake. You'll remain alert and awake. This can be practiced just before bed, in the middle of an afternoon or anytime that your soul needs rest. Go ahead and find a reclined posture.

Speaker 1 0:41

This might be on the floor on a yoga mat, on a couch, on your bed, anywhere at all, that you can truly relax, rest. Today's meditation time will close in silence after our prayer, so I'll take this opportunity now to remind you that you can find more meditations like this one at exploringpeacecom. You can find me and my books at whitneyrsimpsoncom. Now settle, breathe and let's find rest in God together. Allow your palms to face upward with your arms by your side, let your feet fall apart, let your eyes close and let your breath deepen. If you find that you could be 10% more comfortable, take a moment now and adjust. Cover yourself with a blanket, grab an eye pillow, place something beneath your knees, whatever it is. You need to get a little bit more comfortable. Find it now. Now, as you deepen your breath, listen to the words of Psalm 23, 1-3, in the message God, my shepherd, I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows. You find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. And send me in the right direction.

Speaker 1 3:12

Take a moment to set an intention. An intention is a simple, positive statement that resonates with you today. It might be. I find rest in God. I am rested. I am resting in God. Now Take a moment, claim your intention. Take a moment, claim your intention and silently repeat it to yourself. We will now begin a guided relaxation. As you listen to the sound of my voice, bring awareness to that part of your body Without movement. Simply allow your body to relax completely as you hear the named body part. It might help to repeat that body part silently to yourself, or you may just wish to visualize the top of your head, back of the skull, forehead, eyes, nose, cheeks, lips, tongue, jaw.

Speaker 2 5:39

Whole head.

Speaker 1 5:51

Awareness travels to the right side of the body Right hand, thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger, palm of the right hand, back of the right hand, elbow, upper arm, shoulder, right side of the chest, right waist, right waist, hip, thigh, knee, calf, ankle, heel, soul of the right foot, top of the right foot, toes of the body, left hand, thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger, palm of the left hand, back of the left hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, upper arm, shoulder, upper arm, shoulder, left side of the chest, left waist, hip, thigh, knee, calf, thigh, knee, calf, ankle, heel, sole of the left foot, top of the left foot, top of the left foot, toes of the left foot. Awareness travels to the back of the body. Bring awareness to the back of the head, back of the neck, right shoulder blade, left shoulder blade, middle of the back, left shoulder blade, middle of the back, lower back, right buttock, left buttock. Since the entire back of the body, since the entire front of the body. Sense the entire right side of the body, sense the entire left side of the body, feel your whole body, your whole body resting in God, your whole soul resting in God.

Speaker 1 11:46

Now bring awareness to your breath, observe the natural rhythm without changing it. Feel the rise and fall of your abdomen with each inhale and exhale. Now imagine yourself in a peaceful meadow beside beautiful still waters, a place of true rest and tranquility. See and imagine this in your mind's eye. Picture the scene as vividly as possible. Feel the warmth of the sun, the softness of the grass. Listen for the gentle sound of the Sun, the softness of the grass, listen for the gentle sound of the water. Notice what do you sense in this beautiful, peaceful meadow. And now bring to mind beautiful still waters, bring to mind the presence of God with you now bringing peace and restoration to your soul. Breathe, rest and be in these green pastures beside still waters, with the beautiful sun and the presence of God. If your mind wanders during this time of visualization, bring your awareness to your breath.

Speaker 2 14:38

Thank you.

Speaker 1 15:31

After your next full breath in, lengthen your next exhale. Let every bit of air leave your lungs and then take another breath in and a long, extended breath out. Let go with each exhale as you find a rest in God, as you visualize yourself lying down in green pastures, as you see yourself resting beside still waters, as you notice yourself catching your breath. God, my shepherd, I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows. You find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Surrender and rest. Release any remaining tension in your body and mind. Surrender fully and completely in this moment to God's love and rest in God's presence. Remain here as long as you wish, resting with God. Our yoga nidra is now complete. Begin to bring awareness back to your breath and into your body. To return to your day, wiggle your fingers and your toes gently, slowly roll to your right side, pause, rest, keep your eyes closed and when you're ready, you'll press up to seated.

Speaker 1 18:52

Before you move into the next part of your day, hold space and ponder the gratitude in your heart for this time of rest and connection with your creator. Time of rest and connection with your Creator. If it feels right, bring your hands to prayer, hold them at heart center and offer your own silent thanks to God. Now creator, god, we give thanks for your companionship and presence with us always. Thank you for deep breaths, green pastures, lush green pastures. Thank you for quiet, still pools. Thank you for helping us catch our breath and sending us in the right direction. In your holy name, we pray Amen. Name, we pray amen you, thank you.