Deep Rest: Yoga Nidra for the New World

Savasana, the pose almost universally assumed at the conclusion of contemporary yoga classes to bring rest after effort, translates to corpse pose. After physical practice, the body-mind surrenders to relaxation. It ideally does not think, plan, or remember, but rather becomes quiet and receptive to the present moment. In savasana, the body-mind dies: to the physical work of the practice, and to the days, months, years, that preceded it. Awakening from savasana means waking up, rising up, renewed. Savasana is a small death. We can practice it as often as we want, both to prepare for the big permanent death we will all eventually face, and to consider how we want to live while we are here.

Corpse pose is where we most commonly practice Yoga Nidra, or yogic sleep. The various facets of this meditation--sensory and breath awareness, intention setting, rotation of consciousness through the body, creative visualization, and holding opposites--put to sleep all the layers of a practitioner except their higher intelligence or witness consciousness, which links worldly human experience to its source in the beyond.

Join Chelsea Rushton (RYT-500) on Zoom, from the comfort of your own safe and sacred space, for Deep Rest: Yoga Nidra for the New World, a guided meditation that prepares us for death—and life—through a practice of intention setting, cultivating self awareness, and deep relaxation. Deep Rest will include a short introduction to Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation, time for writing and drawing to integrate the meditation, and space for sharing with others.