The Art of Conscious Rest

Yoga Nidra, or "yogic sleep," is a guided meditation practice that brings the body into a deep state of relaxation while the mind hovers between wakefulness and sleep. As taught to me by my teachers, Tracee Stanley and Dr. Chanti Tacoronte-Perez,  this practice offers a profound inward journey, distinctive to each person, and evolving with each session.

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Yoga Nidra has been used for centuries to promote healing and self-awareness. The term comes from Sanskrit: Yoga = union + Nidra = sleep. Through structured guidance, it invites you into a liminal space where deep healing, emotional release, and profound clarity can unfold.

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This practice is more than just relaxation—it's a powerful method of self-inquiry that integrates body, mind, and spirit. Research has shown that Yoga Nidra can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, improve sleep, support nervous system regulation, and enhance creativity. Physically, it helps lower blood pressure, improve immune function, and promote deep, restorative rest.

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A Gateway to Deep Healing and Awareness

Yoga Nidra is a deeply restorative practice that uses breath awareness, body scanning, visualization, and intention-setting (Sankalpa) to guide you into a state of conscious relaxation. As your brainwaves slow from active beta to relaxed alpha, and eventually into deep theta and delta states, your body’s natural healing mechanisms are activated. This process allows you to access subconscious layers of the mind, release stored emotions, and rewire patterns that no longer serve you.

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By shifting into the parasympathetic nervous system—your body’s “rest, digest, and repair” mode—Yoga Nidra helps regulate stress responses, lower cortisol levels, and balance the autonomic nervous system. This state of profound stillness allows for deep restoration and a renewed sense of inner balance.

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The Science Behind Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra activates and harmonizes the nervous system in ways that benefit both physical and mental health.

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Sensory Benefits:

»»» Enhances interoception—awareness of the body's internal signals, fostering greater mind-body connection.
»»» Increases neuroplasticity, improving emotional resilience and adaptability.
»»» Supports sensory integration by calming overactive nervous system responses.

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Neurological & Physiological Benefits:

»»» Reduces overactivity in the default mode network, linked to excessive thinking and anxiety.
»»» Increases production of GABA, serotonin, and melatonin, promoting relaxation and better sleep.
»»» Enhances vagal tone, supporting digestion, heart rate variability, and emotional regulation.

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Emotional & Spiritual Benefits:

»»» Helps process and release stored trauma, promoting emotional clarity.
»»» Encourages deep states of awareness and intuition, fostering a greater sense of purpose.
»»» Supports spiritual connection by quieting the ego-mind and allowing for deep surrender.

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My Approach to Yoga Nidra

In my sessions, I guide you through each stage of Yoga Nidra with gentle verbal cues, visualization techniques, and affirmations to help deepen your experience. Through breath awareness and systematic relaxation, you will be led into a meditative state where healing, insight, and restorative calm can occur effortlessly.

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Yoga Nidra is an invitation to rest deeply, access inner wisdom, and emerge feeling lighter, more present, and profoundly restored. Whether you're seeking relaxation, emotional healing, or a deeper connection to yourself, this practice offers a powerful and accessible path toward wholeness and balance.

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Empowered Wisdom® Certified​​