Aspire Magazine: Inspiration for a Woman's Soul.(TM) June/July 2020 Aspire Magazine FULL Issue | Page 57
3
4
5
Peggy
REDUCE ANXIETY & STRESS
When you practice yoga nidra, you
engage the relaxation response in your
body. Your brain literally shifts from
lots of activity (beta) to a state of calm
(alpha). Allowing your brain to downshift
into a deep state of relaxation helps
calm and reduce anxiety and stress.
Our bodies become deeply relaxed
and go into a rest and restore mode
- achieving theta and delta states.
Thoughts dramatically slow down in
these states. You may see images or
receive random thoughts. You may
also experience profound insight.
HEALTH BENEFITS & SPIRITUAL
INSIGHTS
Numerous physical, mental, and
spiritual benefits of practicing yoga
nidra include stimulating the rest
and digest response, decreased
stress, lowering high blood pressure,
improves circulation, reduces pain,
improves and stabilizes mood, and
improves your overall sense of wellbeing.
There are times when things
bubble up during yoga nidra like long
held fears or anxiety and this practice
allows you a safe place to process and
release. Yoga nidra may even lead you
to profound spiritual insight.
EASY TO DO
Yoga nidra is easy to do. You don’t
need to be skinny or tall, touch your
toes or lick your elbow. You simply lie
down and fall awake.
The most common feedback I receive from
my students is that this practice leaves them
feeling rested and energized at the same
time. They feel relaxed and at peace. One
of my students uses this practice to reduce
back pain. Another has seen her creative
side appear. Many of my students are perimenopausal
and this practice helps reduce
insomnia and hot flashes. Even my students
who came to this practice with the belief that
they can’t stay still discovered that they can
sink deep into silence and stillness.
One of the most common experiences is
that most of my students lose track of time
during yoga nidra. When the practice ends,
I often hear, “that was 60 minutes?” Time
and space seem to drift away when you’re in
between wakefulness and sleep.
For me, this practice is a blessing. I have
received a number of critical, what I call
“yoga nidra downloads.” The one to paint
surprised me. My practice reignited my
creativity - especially my writing - and
encouraged me to release my old stories as
they no longer served me.
As a yoga nidra teacher, now more than
ever, I’m compelled to bring this practice to
as many as I can - the tired, the worn out, the
stressed out, and to those who are seeking
their own answers.
If you’re curious about yoga nidra, feel free
to try it. Find your peace and quiet with this
free 15-minute recording.
Nolan - Peggy is a certified yoga teacher at the 500-hour level.
She’s been practicing yoga since 2002 and teaching since 2009. Peggy
is also Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra certified. When she’s not teaching
or practicing yoga, Peggy can be found crocheting hats, scarves,
and fashion accessories for women and children. Peggy lives in
Derry, NH with her husband, Rick. Together they share a passion for
traveling, camping, and their 6 grandchildren. You can learn more at
www.PeggyNolanYoga.com and join her on Facebook and Instagram.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
57