Why Yoga Nidra?
I discovered Yoga when I was deep in the trenches of busy mom life.
My daily schedule was jam packed and overflowing, shuttling kids to and from sports and music activities after school and on weekends.
I was sleep deprived and felt exhausted pretty much every day.
When a fellow mom and friend shared how listening to a CD had changed her life and calmed her down—I was intrigued. I wondered how listening to a CD could result in feeling less stress and more energized.
When my friend gave me a CD of the Yoga Nidra session (YouTube didn’t exist yet), I figured I’d give it a try. Once I did, Yoga Nidra immediately became a daily ritual for me.
Little did I know how valuable that CD would become—and how valuable Yoga Nidra would become to my overall health and well-being.
The daily Yoga Nidra sessions provided a refuge for my busy mind and body to slow down and provided me the opportunity to experience deep rest.
Yoga Nidra was my lifeline when I needed it most. When I was feeling overwhelmed and just plain exhausted, Yoga Nidra helped me to catch up with my sleep. Because a 30-40 minute session of Yoga Nidra is equivalent to 3-4 hours of sleep, Yoga Nidra was a lifesaver for me.
Fast Forward to 15+ years later…
My kids are grown, are married and now have kids of their own.
Life is drastically different.
I’m now a Grandma (“Nana”).
And I continue to practice Yoga Nidra regularly.
My love of Yoga Nidra prompted me to pursue certification in Yoga Nidra (after receiving my Yoga Teacher certification). Prior to the pandemic, I facilitated in person Yoga Nidra sessions at various yoga studios.
Yoga Nidra is always appropriate—no matter the stage of life you’re in.
If you’ve made it this far, I hope you’ll take a moment to listen to one of my Yoga Nidra sessions. You can find them on Insight Time and my YouTube channel.
Yoga Nidra Basics
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What is Yoga Nidra?
Yoga Nidra is a form of guided meditation done while lying down (Shavasana/corpse pose).
Yoga Nidra is designed to relax the body, calm the mind and promote healing.
Whether battling stress, seeking better sleep, or looking to find a deeper sense of inner peace, Yoga Nidra is an ideal way to escape into relaxation and peaceful tranquility.
One of the best things about Yoga Nidra is that anyone can do it.
Yoga Nidra cannot be done wrong. All that is needed is a willingness to listen and to be guided on the Yoga Nidra journey.
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How does Yoga Nidra Work?
Yoga Nidra activates delta brainwaves, allowing the body and mind to fully rest even while awake.
Yoga Nidra’s The stages of the body scan and breath awareness calms the nervous system, resulting in less stress and better health overall.
A Yoga Nidra practice can be as short as five minutes or as long as an hour. Whatever the length of the session, you’ll emerge refreshed and centered, with a renewed zest for life.
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What are some of the Benefits of Yoga Nidra?
Profound relaxation and healing.
Alleviation of stress, anxiety and depression.
Enhanced quality of sleep. Promotes deep rest and relaxation.
Reduces insomnia and improves sleep.
Deepened body and mind connection.
Improved clarity and focus.
Cultivation of mindfulness and presence.
Journey of self-exploration.
Rich visualization techniques.
Attainment of inner harmony.
Rejuvenation of energy and harmony.
Opportunity for reworking limiting beliefs and limited belief patterns and habits—patterns and habits that are no longer beneficial.
Direct experience with all layers of Self.
Assists with changes in physiological and mental health.
Offers unique insights into Your multi-layer, multi-dimensional Self.
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Best Practices/Preparing for a Yoga Nidra Session
Yoga Nidra is typically practiced lying down.
Find a quiet location where you won’t be interrupted.
Use of headphones for a more immersive experience.
Turn off electronic equipment—i.e., cell phones, tablets, etc.
Prepare your Yoga Nidra Nest. Gather blankets, pillows, eye covering, headphones.
Place blankets underneath you, around you and on top of you.
Place pillows underneath your knees, your arms, and/or under your head. Find what is most comfortable and feels most supportive to you. The cozier, the better.
Maintain a relaxed posture with an aligned spine.
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Yoga Nidra for Beginners
Try a short yoga nidra session when you’re first starting out.
Make sure you’re lying down comfortably on the floor or in bed.
Can support your lower back, spine or head with an yoga mat or blanket.
Practice in a dark room if possible.
Cover your body with a blanket, as your body temperature tends to fall during the practice of yoga nidraes.
Testimonials
★★★★★
“My first experience with Yoga Nidra was participating in a class of Wendy Jo’s. I approached it with no expectations and an open mind. After just the one session with her, I now have an open heart too! Wendy’s voice was so very calming and relaxing as she guided our thoughts and souls through our bodies. I slept better that night than I had in weeks. I’m hooked! Thank you, Wendy Jo!”
- Betsy A.
★★★★★
“I have been doing meditation for almost 40 years. So you can imagine my surprise when after only 10 minutes of doing a yoga nidra session with Wendy, I was in another plane and altered state, much deeper than my usual silent meditation. You should really give it a try!”
- Warren K.
★★★★★
“Wendy’s Yoga Nidra class is amazing! I so look forward to my session—it's a wonderful way to start the week. Each and every class is different for me. The more sessions I take, the better the experience. This journey will leave you feeling peaceful and calm and at the same time rejuvenated. Take this class and see how great you can feel!!”
- Sandy A.
★★★★★
“Wendy is exactly what I was seeking in a Yoga Nidra teacher. Her calm, gentle voice and genuine, caring nature immediately let me know that I would be safe in her class as she led us through a guided meditation. Her language and imagery brought us to a place of complete relaxation of both body and mind. Attending Wendy’s Yoga Nidra class is a gift you can give yourself… I highly recommend it!”
- PK
★★★★★
“Wendy offers Yoga Nidra at Bliss Yoga Studio and I have been delighted to participate in her classes. She creates an ideal environment and helps each student feel comfortable and welcomed. Her voice is calming and her guidance throughout the session is skillful. For those who have a hard time quieting their mind, Wendy's Yoga Nidra sessions have worked like magic. Within the first few moments of the guided meditation I drifted to a quiet place and ended the session feeling refreshed and deeply nourished.”
- Sheila Burns, Founder/Owner of Bliss Yoga Studio
Get in touch with Wendy.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions regarding my services. I love to connect with my visitors.