Guided Body Scan
One of the fastest ways to calm an agitated mind is to bring our attention to our physical body. In this 15-minute recording, you are guided slowly and mindfully through each part of the body, in a practice that I call a body scan. By giving the mind this simple, soothing activity, thoughts and emotions have an opportunity to fall away.
Tips for an effective practice:
- Find a quiet space to sit or lie down comfortably
- Turn your phone to silent, or "do not disturb" mode
- Have blankets in case you get cold
- Have a sip of water or go to the toilet before you begin
The Sanskrit phrase I chant at the beginning is "Sadgurunath Maharaja ki Jay" which means "Hail the true Guru." We all have a huge reservoir of wisdom within each of us. Accessing this wisdom can be challenging as we are worn down by modern life. With practice, we will rediscover the pathway to our own innate wisdom. I hope you enjoy this practice.
Slide into sleep
If you have trouble falling asleep, it is likely to be because your mind is still over-stimulated by thoughts, and the nervous system is still operating at a heightened state of alertness. Often, when we struggle to fall asleep, we get frustrated that we can't fall asleep, and this makes things even worse. We add fuel to the energy that is keeping us awake. In this 20-minute guided practice, we channel some of that mental energy into preparing the body and nervous system for sleep. This is sometimes called "yoga nidra" or the yoga of sleep.
Before you begin, prepare your space so that if you do fall asleep, you don't need to get up again at the end of the practice. For example:
- Turn your phone to silent, or "do not disturb" mode
- Make sure all the lights that need to be off have been switched off
- Have a sip of water or go to the toilet before you begin
- Complete any other pre-bed rituals you have (e.g. brushing your teeth, preparing for the next day, setting your alarm clock, etc)
My tips for peaceful sleep:
- Avoid excessive alcohol before bedtime
- Avoid caffeine or sugar before bedtime
- Avoid drinking huge amounts of water just before bedtime
- Avoid staring at computer or smartphone screens immediately before bedtime
- Keep a gratitude diary, or mentally recall 3 things you are grateful for in your day
- If you're still feeling restless, go for a ten minute walk
Yoga Class
Coming soon.