Richard and his colleagues have been involved in many (29 to date) clinical research projects to prove the efficacy of iRest Yoga Nidra to help people suffering from PTSD. The term ‘Yoga Nidra’ did not appeal to the US State Department at the time, so ‘iRest’ (Integrative Restoration) was created (everything in those days was iPod, iPhone etc). Richard called it iRest as he was conducting clinical research on the effects of Yoga Nidra on people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), particularly army veterans. IRest is an accessible meditation protocol that is integrative, as it heals unresolved issues and traumas, and restorative, as it aids practitioners in recognizing the underlying peace of mind that is always present amidst all changing circumstances in life.ĭue to its effectiveness and ease of use, iRest has proven to effectively support the healing process across a broad range of populations, including those with PTSD, chronic pain, sleep issues, high stress, depression, and anxiety. IRest Yoga Nidra meditation supports psychological, physical and spiritual health, healing and awakening. Perhaps the iRest website describes it in the best way: In iRest Yoga Nidra we deliberately enter into and maintain similar states of profound resting, and while there we create a space in which we investigate and enquire into aspects of our life and experience. It can be a very receptive place to be in and often my most creative ideas and solutions come to me at this time. Most of us can recall a time when we are waking up in the morning, yet still in a place where we are simply resting. I feel deeply relaxed, yet awake to the experience. Indeed, many times as I practice iRest Yoga Nidra I find myself right on the edge of falling asleep. In a sense then Yoga Nidra is a play on words, to be awake and asleep. To be a Yogi is someone who is “Awakened” (awake to their True Nature). We will look at the iRest Yoga Nidra protocol in some depth, Yoga Nidra resources and practices and let you know about the first iRest Level 1 Training to be held in New Zealand ( full details here). The purpose of this article is to attempt to somewhat de-mystify Yoga Nidra and show how this contemporised, ancient practice can be an incredibly practical tool to help us live our life with ease, resiliency, equanimity and authenticity. “ Yoga Nidra” – it has an almost mystical ring to it! But what really is it, and how can it help you? As well as being a Doctor of Psychotherapy, Richard has been practicing, studying and teaching Yoga Nidra since 1970 (46 years), and has brought together and adapted these ancient teachings to create a contemporary approach to Yoga Nidra called iRest. Soon after completing the course at Ashram Yoga I came across the work of Dr Richard Miller. I remember long relaxation sessions where everyone was happy to be “simply” lying down, guided into magical visualisations and into a deeply restful experience. Ashram Yoga, a Satyananda style inspired Yoga school, included Yoga Nidra as part of the program. I first came across Yoga Nidra back in 2003 when learning to teach at the Ashram Yoga School in Parnell, Auckland. One of the practices that is becoming increasingly lauded is Yoga Nidra. As the popularity of Yoga continues to expand, more and more people are being drawn into practices beyond Yoga asana (posture), into breath work, into meditation, into the subtler aspects of the tradition.
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