Inhale nourishment. Exhale gratitude.
I didn’t mean to buy Radiant Rest. I went looking for Nedra Tawab’s book Set Boundaries, Find Peace. But the subtitle: “Yoga Nidra for deep relaxation and clarity” caught my attention and so…it came home with me.
Roots and Nourishment
I had never heard of Yoga Nidra, so reading Tracee’s vast amount of research and experienced voice teach on a form of yoga I’d not practiced was a fun learning experience for me. When I first began meditating years ago I thought 20 minutes would be a bore. How in the world will I be able to sit in stillness that long, I remember asking myself.
But the beauty of guided meditations both on Down Dog and Insight Timer have helped guide me through a practice and surrender I never thought possible. Tracey Stanley’s book also includes links to her own guided meditations on SoundCloud. But if you want to discover the beauty of rest in just quick moments of body and breath awareness, this quick video by Tracey is a great place to start.
It is this 1 minute grounding video that inspired this piece of art I’m sharing today: Rooted and Grateful. This image as well as a regular practice of meditation reminds me of the support and strength that is offered to me through the lives around me. It is with gratefulness as I exhale that I think of Tracey’s words:
“We can be a source of our own nourishment. When we are nourished we can support our community. When we are grateful we are inspired to act. When we are grounded we understand the importance of support.”
It is this pull to rest and solitude and stillness that drew me to Radiant Rest. And it is an encouragment to us all to stop. Rest. Breathe. Be.
Reading Radiant Rest opened up an awareness of yoga nidra’s history including the various brain waves it stimulates, it’s healing power, as well as the deeper calling to rest in the unknown.
Some of my favorite parts about this book were Tracee’s self inquirey questions at the end of chapters, her sound cloud links to her guided meditations and all the practical tips on creating a yoga nidra nest, as well as the “householder’s flow” that incorporates yoga nidra into our daily lives.
“If we can create an opportunity in our yoga nidra practice to create more awareness and ease within ourselves, it will be reflected outward in our lives. Let go of ‘doing’ and be guided by grace back to the Source of who you really are, your true self.”—Tracee Stanley
Many of us live busy, driven, full, noisy, ourward focused lives. My challenge from Tracee’s book was this: “We give ourselves no chance of experiencing this inner light when our focus is constantly directed outward. As a housholder it can feel like there is little to no time for practice. Be honest about what is possible for you.”
Where can you stop for just a moment in your day to start turning your focus inward to inhale nourishment and exhale gratitude?
