Yoga nidra amid a big life transition

I am in the final stages of the Daring to Rest Facilitator training, which I have completed (almost) in the midst of a huge life transition, moving to Oaxaca, Mexico.  This transition was one of the most challenging, liberating and stressful things I have ever done.  Having yoga nidra as my daily companion has been a much needed balm to my soul, nervous system and body.  All the koshas! 

All the while I have continued to offer my weekly online Spanish yoga classes to community health workers, and the yoga nidra that I offer in the class has evolved with my weekly learnings.  Feedback from my students has been gratifying, and I will be sharing some of those comments here on the blog.  

My yoga nidra dream is to expand my nidra offerings, online and someday in person, when the COVID pandemic goes away (and we settle more into our new home).  

If you are interested in one on one sessions online, please email me at ritaj65@yahoo.com.

Daring to rest journey begins today

I came upon yoga nidra about 12 years ago at a yoga studio in my neighborhood.  I was immediately captivated by the profound relaxation I experienced, like nothing else I had done before. 

Now I am embarking on this yoga nidra journey with Daring to Rest, a program created by Karen Brody.   Her sleep mentor Dr. Naiman is also co-teaching many of the lectures, and I am already blown away by the wisdom and heart they bring to this healing work.

I will use my blog to share what I learn along the way, starting out with some links to articles by Dr. Naiman: "Falling for Sleep." and "In Exile from the Dreamscape."

Somatic meditation, awakening the body

During yoga teacher training I learned MANY things.  One is that I really prefer somatic meditation.  I already knew this before teacher training, but I learned the language around different meditation styles in more depth.  A few months ago I had the opportunity to take a virtual course on somatic mediation with Dr. Reggie Ray, based on his fantastic book Awakening the Body.  

I had first heard of him via a Sounds True audiobook, and I found his voice and approach captivating.  I jumped at the chance to take a course with him, even if it had to happen virtually.  

I don't think I realized how very ancient the somatic approach to meditation and spirituality is, and Dr. Ray explained the Buddhist lineage that this type of meditation comes from...which I find fascinating, history and religion geek that I am. To give you the briefest summary, the soma is the pathway to enlightenment or awakening.  

This runs quite contrary to my own spiritual tradition of Christianity, where the body is generally viewed as a barrier and full of sin.  It is all about the spirit and transcending the body.  Nonetheless I am really intrigued about the somatic approach to meditation and spirituality.  

So much to learn....more in future posts.