Yoga Nidra for Pregnancy and Postpartum.

Yoga nidra is often described as yogic sleep. It is a is a practice that systematically brings the consciousness into a state between waking and sleep. When you reach this hypnagogic state, the body can relax and receive intuition from the unconscious mind.

Practicing yoga nidra is a way to rest and restore the body by freeing the body, mind, and spirit from tension. It allows true relaxation to occur as it brings your awareness into the subtle body. This is a practice that rejuvenates the spirit from within.

It is said that the relaxation achieved in a yoga nidra session is equivalent to hours of ordinary sleep

Yoga nidra is an invaluable tool during pregnancy and postpartum. It is a way for you to feel rested and restored with a newborn. It is a beautiful restorative practice for women, and new moms. Yoga nidra is a whole body reset and aids the body to relax and restore. It is a form of guided meditation that will bring your awareness to different parts of the body. It gradually brings you into a deep state of relaxation.

To practice yoga nidra, you typically lie flat on your back. If you are in the postpartum phase, you can lie on your back, supporting your head and legs with a pillow. If you are pregnant, it is best that you lie on your side or lay on your back with a lot of pillows and blankets so it is almost like you are sitting in a chair. You may also choose to lie on your left side. If you would like you can drape a blanket over your body and use an eye pillow for your eyes. Make sure you are comfortable. If you need to adjust yourself throughout the practice to stay comfortable, then do so. Then return back to the practice.

Listen to a yoga nidra recording at home or find a yoga studio that offers yoga nidra. Practicing in a class can connect you to your community. Building relationships with individuals in your area is very healing and will be important to have support in the postpartum period. Practicing in a group is another form of holistic self-care. Have a few yoga nidra recordings saved on your phone to listen to when you are having trouble sleeping in the middle of the night, or feel tired during the day.

Prenatal Yoga Nidra