— Yoga nidra, which is derived from the tantras, is a powerful technique in which you learn to relax consciously. In yoga nidra, sleep is not regarded as relaxation. People feel that they are relaxing when they collapse in an easy chair with a cup of coffee, a drink or a cigarette, and read a newspaper or switch on the television. But this will never suffice as a scientific definition of relaxation. These are only sensory diversions. T rue relaxation is actually an experience far beyond all this. For absolute relaxation you must remain aware. This is yoga nidra, the state of dynamic sleep.
Yoga nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. The term yoga nidra is derived from two Sanskrit words, yoga meaning union or one-pointed awareness, and nidra which means sleep. During the practice of yoga nidra, one appears to be asleep, but the consciousness is functioning at a deeper level of awareness. For this reason, yoga nidra is often referred to as psychic sleep or deep relaxation with inner awareness. In this threshold state between sleep and wake fulness, contact with the subconscious and unconscious dimensions occurs spontaneously.
In yoga nidra, the state of relaxation is reached by turning inwards, away from outer experiences. If the consciousness can be separated from external awareness and from sleep, it becomes very powerful and can be applied in many ways, for example, to develop the memory, increase knowledge and creativity, or transform one’s nature.
Valeria interviews Ruthie Ayzenberg — LMFT, LPCC, PMH-C, RYT-500, she is a compassionate psychotherapist with over a decade of experience, specializing in anxiety, depression and maternal mental health.
Additionally, Ruthie is a dedicated yoga student and teacher with comprehensive training in Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Yin, and Yoga Nidra. She is the creator and host of the Na’aleh Yoga Nidra Journeys for Deep Rest+ podcast, where she shares the transformative power of Yoga Nidra, a practice that has deeply impacted her own life.
When Ruthie was introduced to Yoga Nidra during her very first yoga teacher training, her life changed beyond what she could have imagined. What began as a personal journey soon evolved into a passion for sharing this gently transformative practice with others by crafting culturally-sensitive journeys steeped in reverence for both the Yogic lineage and Jewish tradition, while remaining inclusive to people of all cultures. Every episode is created from the heart with mindfulness and love. In her private practice, Mental Fitness Therapy, Ruthie offers personalized holistic healing using a handful of modalities, Yoga Nidra guidance, and group sessions, helping clients manage stress, reconnect with their inner selves, and heal from within. Ruthie has 100% trust in her clients' abilities to heal themselves when given the right conditions.
Ruthie enjoys blending yoga, psychology, and spirituality throughout daily life and practices what she preaches. To experience the benefits of Yoga Nidra, tune into Na’aleh Yoga Nidra Journeys for Deep Rest+ or connect with Ruthie through her practice.
To learn more about Ruthie Ayzenberg and her work, please visit: https://www.mentalfitnesstherapy.org/ https://naalehyoga.podbean.com
