HIBERNATE
Jaya and I were doing her homework last night and Hibernate was one of her spelling words. As I practiced the definition with her it got me thinking…. Hibernate is a verb that means to spend the winter in a dormant state which kind of sounds lame and dull. But curiously enough it also means to escape, withdraw, retreat, cocoon. All of those things sound really lovely to me as the brisk deep fall (almost winter) winds blow fiercely inviting me to escape from the cold, withdraw from the holiday stress, and retreat into a cocoon to snuggle with my loved ones and stay warm and cozy.
There is a true paradox that happens at the time when the Winter Solstice and the holiday seasons arrive. We are being pulled outward in so many directions to celebrate the season, but the inner pull is demanding that we slow, down, rest, and restore. So how do we manage to do both? I have a little magic to share and that is Yoga Nidra.
Yoga Nidra Yoga Nidra is a powerful guided meditation technique that is practiced lying down in a state of rest or savasana. It leads us into the hypnagogic state, a powerful place on the edge between being asleep and awake.
Once in this state, guided visualization techniques can be used to reduce physical, emotional and mental tension. Yoga Nidra has been proven to reduce stress, improve sleep, heal trauma, increase creativity, reduce pain and improve concentration.
Yoga Nidra also has the power to open up the deeper phases of the mind by releasing information from the subconscious and unconscious minds allowing us to create an expanded state of consciousness.
It is an amazing way to practice Hibernation and the beautiful thing is that it is quick and simple to do. Most guided Yoga Nidra practices are somewhere between 20 and 40 minutes. So, you can hit the town for your holiday parties and still have time to come home snuggle under the covers, plug in your Yoga Nidra and instantly feel yourself escaping from outer stress, withdrawing into a peaceful place inside, retreating into a deeply relaxed state and creating a cocoon of inner and outer bliss!
Please join me for a very special Winter Solstice Yoga Nidra practice where
we will come together to honor the shift from late fall to winter well as we celebrate the coming of the light and the Winter Solstice. We will explore the importance of this sacred juncture and how we can use this powerful transition to reflect in self-awareness, embrace the present, and look toward the light. r I will guide us on a very special Yoga Nidra journey that will leave you refreshed and restored and ready to manifest your dreams for the New Year.
Wishing you all deep peace and love in this holiday season.
With Love
Lauren
