by Valerie Brooks

Yoga Nidra as a Spiritual Practice

Many yogis know that the word yoga means “union” and the word nidra means “sleep,” but it’s misleading to say that yoga nidra means to do yoga in your sleep. Rather, it is considered a spiritual yogic practice that brings the body into a deeply relaxed state. Unlike the calm that active physical asanas bring to the body, yoga nidra rests the physical and mental states, but the body still remains aware. According to Swami Satyananda, there are eight stages of yoga nidra, where you release awareness of the body and enter into a dream state. This blog, called Yoga with Santosh, discusses the practice, and comes from Knoxville, Tennessee, where yoga nidra classes are offered through Well by Nature. But the practice is gaining in popularity throughout the country. Read more about it here. It may be for you. For more info, see yogaknoxville.com.

Bringing the Himalayas Home

The holidays may be over, but I think I just found the greatest gift of all in this online article from the Houston Chronicle. The author was one of seven who attended a life-altering healing adventure in India, through Himalayan Boot Camp. Recognizing that we are living in economically challenging times, she has graciously outlined the doable activities that can be done at home for the would-be India-bound. They range from getting an ayurvedic massage to finding a hiking trail to taking an impromptu yoga class. Many of her suggestions are things we are all aware of, but reminders are sweet, and necessary, when we don’t have the funds to reinforce them in a Himalayan journey of our own. See chron.com.

Dahn Yoga

Dahn Yoga originated in Korea and is a form that combines a number of different yogic approaches. Its main focus, however, is the brain. Its intention is to revitalize the mind and body in order to create health, happiness, and peace. Dahn Yoga does this by concentrating on brain activity. A typical class starts with a warm-up that might include things to increase the body’s energy level, such as tapping. Activities such as stretching and breathing exercises may follow. Dahn Yoga studios exist across the country and operate a little more rigidly than typical yoga studios because they follow a specific training program. For those who do better with stricter discipline, or who seek a more integrated system of yoga and mind empowerment might do well with Dahn Yoga. This video offers an introduction.