Turn It All OFF!

While sitting at my son's football game one sunny afternoon this weekend, the endless humming of drones recording could be heard behind the soundtrack of screaming kids and the 80's rock music from the loud speaker. The outside noise melted together with the internal chatter of my mind processing the words of critique from husband, the random to To Do lists adding up in one part of my mind and relentless self talk that floods. However, if I closed my eyes and concentrated on the breeze on my skin and fresh air entering my body with each breath I was able to somewhat block out the "noise" and hear the nature around me, wind and birds. 

It's no wonder that living in a world where so much stimuli exists, that our brains are constantly on fire with inflammation. In turn, our bodies full of inflamed nerve pathways and pumping blood through elevated heart rates ends up feeling on fire too.  

Flight or fight are no longer two separate verbs but rather a feeling that labels the constant cycle of the adrenals within the body as it hears the pings and dings of cell phones, the background chatter of streaming televisions, the loop of high pitched music changes from a neighbors tik tok viewing and the endless internal voice of comparison and instant gratification it has come to expect. 

What if all the noise came to a stop? If all the chatter and "fire" ceased? What would our bodies feel like, what would our minds process and what would our inner self express?

Enter, Yoga Nidra. Meaning "yogic sleep", yoga nidra is a deep relaxation technique and a form of meditation.  Yoga nidra is a state between sleeping and waking with the body completely relaxed and the yogi turning awareness inward by listening to a set of instructions, much like a guided meditation. Performing yoga nidra involves practicing the fifth yoga limb (pratyahara) withdrawal of the senses. Through withdrawing the senses it is believed in the yoga philosophy to be the "off switch" to all the external stimulus, all the inflammation and all the fight or flight causes. 

Yoga nidra practice results in deep relaxation and expands the individual's self-awareness.  You'll often hear that a short practice of Yoga Nidra is equivalent to many hours of sleep, and much more.  Other research states:

• *Helps ease symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

• *Supports longer, more restorative sleep.

• *Strengthens and balances the immune system.

• *Enhances mental clarity, creativity, and the ability to process emotions more effectively.

• *Guides the body into a deeply restorative state that stimulates the release of calming neurotransmitters (GABA, dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, endorphins) and supportive hormones such as DHEA, melatonin, and human growth hormone (HGH).

• There are many online options for yoga nidra once you begin your search.  Start short or long, female or male voice, sitting or laying down, morning or night ... the options are endless for the yoga nidra care you may need. One that I rely on that is quick and easy to reset my mind and body can be found on the Yoga Hero podcast - All of Yoga Podcast – Episode 39 – An afternoon Yoga Nidra pick-me-up – Yoga Hero

• Maybe you would like to take some baby steps starting with meditation or prefer an in-person option, if so Good Juju offers some upcoming options for yogis to dip their toe in to find a starting point! See below links:

• Free Meditation | Good Juju Yoga

• September 21st restorative sound healing journey to honor the Autumn Equinox held at Good Juju

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Written by

Brooke Halperin