Yoga nidra is both a relaxing and transformational practice that can guide you into a deep state of relaxation to calm your nervous system and counteract stress.

This is a practice where you rest in a comfortable position (usually lying down), close your eyes, and allow yourself to be guided through a peaceful visualization.

When we take time to relax deeply like this, we can unravel muscular, emotional, and mental tension. When this happens, we can soothe our body’s systems and reprogram limiting habits and conditioning.

Learning to relax — or giving ourselves permission to relax — is crucial in staying mentally and physically healthy and strong.

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A few tips for your yoga nidra practice:

1. Find a quiet space where you will not be disturbed for the duration of the practice.

2. Reduce stimulation as much as possible. Besides a quiet space, you can cover your eyes with a light covering and make sure you're warm.

3. Rest on your back, your side, or remain seated, as long as you are fully supported and comfortable.

4. Simply listen to the sound of the guide's voice and follow along.

Remember, whatever you experience is just perfect for you. There is no right or wrong way to feel. Simply taking time to pause, slow down, and breathe in a quiet space, you are doing good things for yourself.

Enjoy.

Guest post by studio BE faculty member Lynette Suchar

Lynette Suchar is a certified E-RYT yoga teacher with 500+ hours of training. She’s been teaching classes, workshops, retreats, festivals, and trainings for almost 15 years in Mexico and Canada.

Lynette specializes in restoration practices which can help to calm and retrain our nervous system. She offers programs that move us out of our conditioned programs and into higher octaves of self, using practices like yoga nidra, meditation, breathwork, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and astrology.

She did her foundational training with Nicki Doane and Eddie Modestini. Lynette is a certified restorative yoga teacher with Judith Hanson Lasater, yin with Bernie Clark, and trauma-informed/children’s/prenatal yoga nidra with Brenda Feuerstein. Most recently she’s been studying Traditional Chinese Medicine with Tiffany Cruikshank.

Lynette views yoga nidra as a thread of transformation, an opportunity to dive deep within and learn to live in the wide-awake.

We are proud to call her a founding member of the studio BE faculty. You can practice with her live on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Learn more at http://www.lynettesuchar.com and follow on IG @lynette_suchar.

Feature photo via Canva