Yoga Nidra from Sacred Awakening by Lisa Temoshok

Please prepare for Yoga Nidra by lying on your back, covered by a blanket as needed. Your feet are comfortably apart and your knees are supported. If you are seated, sit as comfortably supported as possible.

During this practice, you will invite your mind to follow the guidance as given. If you find your mind has wandered, gently bring your attention back to the practice. Don't worry if your mind wanders, especially as you begin to practice with this CD. You are training your mind and spirit to the sacred, authentic core of your life. If you have practiced Yoga Nidra before, it may feel different than those experiences. Notice what happens with compassion and curiosity.

Yoga Nidra begins with attention to the breath. During the practice of Yoga Nidra, the breath is natural. We move to a series of affirmations. In many Yoga Nidra practices, you are asked to create your own affirmation. In this practice, one is provided.

Next, you are guided to move your attention over different parts of your physical body, in a detailed sequence. Just let your mind follow the guidance. You are then guided to move your attention to your breath. Without controlling your breath, you begin to count each inhalation and exhalation, beginning at 27 and counting down to one. If you lose count, simply begin again, without judgement or expectation.

From the breath, we move more deeply inside, to connect with the flow of energy through the body. You are guided to visualize colors in a spectrum. You are then guided on an inner exploration, a journey through life itself. Connect with this experience deeply and witness yourself experiencing these feeling with a sense of unconditional love and support. You may feel a sense of "observing" your own life with compassion and acceptance.

As you emerge from this section, you will receive the tones of an ancient chant, Dona Nobis Pacem. This chant, from the Christian tradition, dates back many centuries and is embedded with vibrations of spacious peace and connection to spirit. The tune is then offered with the Sanskrit chant, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, which is a chant of surrender and opening to grace.

As the chant ends, you are invited to deepen your breath and return to consiousness, slowly and mindfully. You end the formal practice of Yoga Nidra with a simple offering of Metta (Loving-Kindness) to yourself, recognizing that opening to love and life always begins within.