I remember being at Kripalu to celebrate the successful completion of my 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2009. I went there to simply be. Practice yoga and give myself an inner high five. Initially I dove into yoga teacher training to deepen my seven year practice. I wanted more than what I was receiving in my regular yoga classes. Once I started yoga teacher training I knew I was being pulled in the direction to share and teach the sacred art of yoga.
During my weekend celebration at Kripalu, I woke early one morning and went to a 6am “gentle” yoga class. Jennifer Reis, master Kripalu yoga instructor, was teaching class. Between the early morning hour, the sound of Jennifer’s voice, and the fact that I had zero coffee, I began my morning practice in a semi daze. I lost track of time and then we were all in shavasana. Before I could even tell you where I was, Jennifer was guiding us in yoga nidra meditation. I don’t remember much but what I do remember has stayed with me for over 10 years.
I left Jennifer’s class feeling lighter than air. I felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. And this feeling of lightness and ease stayed with me for days. Days. Oh my gosh days. I wanted more of this yummy feeling. I wanted to feel like I was walking on clouds.
No one was teaching yoga nidra where I lived in southern New Hampshire. So, I decided that I would become the yoga nidra teacher I needed. I researched the heck out of yoga nidra online. I bought two books, one by Richard Miller, founder of iRest, and the other by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. I bought Jennifer’s yoga nidra CD so that I could practice on my own. I paid attention to pacing, words, and scripting. I began offering yoga nidra in the salt cave at Bien Soigne in Salem, NH.
In 2010 I received my 500 YTT and I chose to celebrate by taking a yoga nidra workshop with Jennifer at Kripalu. And I continued teaching this practice. I recorded two yoga nidras and made them available for purchase. Fast forward to 2016 when I discovered Hot Asana Yoga Studio in Hampstead, NH and after a few months of practicing there, I demonstrated a yoga nidra class and began offering this class at Hot Asana. I teach a regular Sunday night class, Yin to Zen. 45 minutes of Yin followed by 30 minutes of yoga nidra.
In the fall of 2019 I found Shiva Shakti School of Yoga, a fabulous yoga school with two amazing teachers, that offered an online 30 hour advanced teacher training and certification for yoga nidra. I loved what they taught, the material, the additional nidra scripts, all of it. So much so that I’m taking their advanced teacher training in yoga philosophy (both sessions) in 2020.
Can you tell? I’m pretty high on yoga nidra. I’ve worked through lots of my own stuff and I’ve received some amazing inner insight. I love, love, love teaching yoga nidra and I strongly believe that everyone who practices this will receive innumerable benefits. Here’s my top 5:
Do you practice yoga nidra or other meditation on a regular basis? Drop a comment and share your experience!
Yoga Nidra in the Salt Cave at Bien Soigne in Salem, is almost sold out for March 14th. I have 2 spots left!
You can also join me every Sunday evening at Hot Asana Yoga Studio in Hampstead, NH for Yin to Zen. 45 minutes of yummy yin poses, which are done either seated or laying down, followed by 30 minutes of deep relaxation in yoga nidra meditation.
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In August 2020 we’ll be going to Spain. I hope you can join us! Use code ‘EarlyBird’ when you register today! Only 4 spots open!
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Join Peggy every Thursday (Apr 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28) evening for Yin & Yoga Nidra. You’ll slow down, stretch out, and sink into deep relaxation and rest.
Registration is now open for Soul Sleep: A Yoga and Self-Care Retreat!
Ever feel like your yoga practice is stale? Stagnant? Boring? If you’re nodding in agreement, this is a good sign that your practice is evolving.
Hi Peggy
I would like to sign up for Feb 22 2020 9am salt cave & yoga bein seign! I didn’t see any where to sign up! On facebook! Thank You
Kathy Murray
Hi Kathy!did you see the note I left you on Facebook? The registration details are in it!