Dreaming of our ancestors - nidra on November 6

This time of the year the veil between the living and ancestors thins.  The darkness of winter deepens.  It is the perfect time to rest in the liminal space of yoga nidra, where the veils between the waking, sleep and dream states are also thin.  During yoga nidra the nervous system shifts to the parasympathetic state, where healing and deep inner knowing can unfold.   It is a time to slow down and care for yourself by doing literally nothing.  

This special class is a place to support your connection to ancestors through resting in yoga nidra. My nidra meditation will be infused with seasonal imagery to call in your ancestors and support, reflecting my culture as a woman of Mexican heritage, living in Oaxaca, a place that profoundly celebrates the ancestors at this time of year.  Before the class you will receive guidance to create an altar to nurture yourself and your connection to ancestors.  After the nidra meditation there will be time for journaling.   

Registration is open.

Beginners are welcome. I check in via email with students new to my offerings to support their experience.   If you are new to her offerings, please register early to allow time for connecting.   

What you receive:  

• 1 live nidra class on Zoom

• Recording of the class available for your personal practice or if the class date/time doesn’t work for your schedule.  Available until the end of November.

• Guidance on creating an ancestral altar prior to the class.  

• Email access to me for questions that might arise.  

Payment for the series is $25.  Students pay me directly via Venmo at  Rita-Jimenez-4 or PayPal [handle is @ritaj65].  

Learning more about yoga nidra, about me the yoga teacher...

I love yoga nidra and sharing this practice brings me joy.  So I was very grateful my friend and fellow yoga teacher Sarah Nelsen interviewed me on her podcast about nidra.  Click on the word podcast, and you will head to Spotify.  

If you are curious about what yoga nidra is and what I offer, please give it a listen.

There is a short nidra practice at the end too.  Don't practice nidra while driving or riding your bike please!  

My longer nidras generally include poetry and options to include essential oils and crystals.   Sometimes plant medicine too.   

I always post about upcoming yoga nidra series here on this blog, so follow me to keep up to date.  

Nidra and creativity - a new series is coming this September

I have experienced first hand the power of nidra to support creativity.  As the past 5 years have unfolded I have written over 20 picture book manuscripts, learned print making and participated in my first gallery show, as well as created so many yoga nidra experiences for my students.  All while resting nearly daily in my nidra practice.  

Whatever role(s) you play in the world, creativity is the joyful spark that transforms.  Activist, teacher, visual artist, writer, cook, gardener or parent.  All these roles and more are nourished by creativity.  This series is a place to support your creativity through resting in yoga nidra, a nourishing liminal space guided by yours truly.  My nidra meditations are infused with imagery to call in your muses and support.   Affirmations. Poetry. A chance to craft an intention to support your creative self.

What you receive:  

• 3 live nidra classes on Zoom

• Recordings of the classes available for your personal practice or if the class date/time doesn’t work for your schedule. 

• My document on creating a sankalpa or intention to support your creativity.  

• Email access to me during the series.  

The details:

Thursdays September 4, 11, 25 from 7:30-8:30  pm PST 

Registration closes on September 1.  Register here.

Payment for the series is $100.  Students pay me directly via Venmo at  Rita-Jimenez-4 or PayPal [handle is @ritaj65].  

Short and sweet yoga nidra: resting with plantitas - registration is open

My next yoga nidra series is coming up next month. It's one of my favorite offerings, combining my love of plants, herbal remedios and nidra. Join me.

I will offer a nourishing 30 minute yoga nidra to support your rest for 4 Thursday evenings.  My intention is to support you in aligning with the energy of spring and support sleep.  Feel free to practice in your pjs in bed.   I will not guide you out of nidra, i.e. you can remain resting and drift off to sleep….

Once again I am collaborating with my dear friend herbalist  Jennifer Serna of Wapato Island Farm, so that you can access some magical plant allies she’s  created to support resting and the nervous system.   Ordering plant medicine from her apothecary is optional.  If you live outside of the United States, I am happy to offer some insights on plants to seek out to support your rest.  

What will you receive:  

• 4 live nidra classes on Zoom

• Recordings of the classes available for your personal practice until my next series starts in the fall!  A whole summer’s worth of nidra practice.  

• Handout on Jennifer’s plant medicines with suggestions on using her remedios which support rest and relaxation. 

• Register early so you have time to order those before the series begins. 

• Email access to me during the series for any questions that arise.  

May 1, 8, 15, 22 (Thursday evenings) 8:30 pm Pacific Standard Time

Your investment is $60.  Pay me directly via Venmo [Rita-Jimenez-4 and last 4 telephone digits 5447] or PayPal [handle is @ritaj65]. 

Rest is Resistance yoga nidra series is coming in April

Registration is open for my Rest is Resistance Nidra series.

Each Thursday evening in April I will offer you nourishing time in the nidra state, the liminal space between sleep and wakefulness.  I have crafted nidras with quotes and affirmations from the amazing book by Tricia Hersey.  After the nidra you will also have some time to free write/journal/draw with some prompts connected to resting and resisting.  

As always, I will record the nidras, so if Thursday evenings don’t work for your schedule, you can still access my offerings at a time and day that works for you.  

I highly recommend reading this powerful book, but you don’t need to have read the book to enjoy this series.  

In a time where our resistance and love is so needed, it's so important to downregulate our nervous systems to think well and care for ourselves and our community.  I look at practicing nidra as putting your oxygen mask on first.  

Details on the series:

Dates / Times / Format

4-week series; Thursdays in April

April 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th

7:30 - 8:30pm PST

Livestream

Investment

$90 for series

** Please pay me directly through mt Venmo account: @Rita-Jimenez-4 OR PayPal: @ritaj65 **

What do my students say??

“Thank you for this series that has guided us into rest since October. It's been incredible and a big part of my third trimester journey. During labor at the hospital, I played your nidra recordings, I also listened to the one you made personalized to me during labor. I'm so grateful.”

I really appreciate Rita's soothing voice as she guides us into our Nidra practice. Infeel completely supported and nurtured in this space. I like that she pulls from other resources to teach us new things. Having an oracle card to connect with was really special and resonated with me a lot. Thank you Rita! I look forward to future series!!

Yoga Nidra has come into my life at the perfect time. I had only just heard of the practice when Rita's class fell into my lap. I am so grateful to be working with Rita to learn about and explore Nidra and Reiki. Rita is supportive and encouraging and her Nidra practices invite calm, non-judgmental rest and reflection. My dog loves it, too! She calms down alongside me and her whole body is relaxed. It's lovely.

Yoga nidra - what is it? A bit of me the nidra teacher and a short nidra practice!

A friend and fellow yoga teacher Sarah Nelsen interviewed me for her podcast to talk about all things yoga nidra.  So if you are curious about what yoga nidra is and my background as a yoga teacher, give this short podcast a listen.  

At the end I offer a short nidra practice, so you can actually experience one of my nidras.

Enjoy!