The practice of SomaNidra is a combination of somatic movement and yoga nidra. SomaNidra cultivates spaciousness in the body, mind and heart. This spaciousness allows the nervous system to enter into a deeply relaxing and calm state, supporting the body’s innate ability to restore balance, inspire creativity and self-awareness.
The practice begins with some slow, mindful movement in combination with the breath to awaken the nervous system’s ability to sense, map and integrate movement in the body. Usually much of our movement happens on an unconscious level, when we work somatically we invite conscious awareness into our movement as we encourage the nervous system to move into a parasympathetic state of relaxation and healing.
After the short somatic practice students are invited to make themselves as comfortable as possible with props and blankets in Savasana (corpse pose) or in an effortless supported position in preparation for yoga nidra. Once settled in students simply focus on the voice of the teacher as they are guided to bring awareness to the physical body, the energetic body, and the mind/wisdom body (known as the koshas) to support the cultivation of the bliss body (Anandamaya Kosha).
Aside from the somatic practice at the beginning and some gentle movement to “awaken” the body at the end of the class, there is no other movement required in this practice. No previous yoga or movement experience is necessary.
