Friday Freedonist: A Half-Hour of Pure Bliss

Do you know what yoga nidra is?  Before your brain starts conjuring up images of twisting your body into odd shapes and stretching to rest your head next to your buttocks, hold up  (Martha Beck once described her yoga instructor as looking  “… like the very serene victim of a terrible, terrible crime.”)

Yoga nidra is yogic sleep — “nidra” is sleep — and since discovering it a couple of years ago, it’s been one of the only practices I know that can turn off the constant squeaking hamster wheel of my brain.  Although you don’t really fall asleep, yoga nidra is one of the deepest states of restfulness you can get while still maintaining full consciousness. It’s been shown to reduce tension, anxiety, headache, and even helps soldiers deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

And the best things about it?
You don’t need to go to a class, or find a guru, or even get a fancy mat.
You get to do it lying down.  There’s no exercise involved whatsoever.
And it’s free.

You really should try this.  Honest.

So if you’re willing to play, set yourself aside a half-hour (or more if you can get it), find a quiet place to lie down where you won’t be disturbed, grab a nice soft blankie if it’s cool where you are, and check out this page of guided meditations:

https://www.yoganidranetwork.org/downloads

Pick the one that seems to fit your mood and available time today.  If you’re like me, you’ll come out of it feeling like you’ve just had a good night’s sleep, and get a total refresh on your day. Some of my best life-changing ideas have come in the relaxed-brain hours following yoga nidra.

Enjoy, freedonists!

Category: Friday Freedonist, Leisure, Mental Health