The Yin Of Sleep: Rest, Reassurance & Letting Go

Falling asleep isn’t always easy. This 60-minute guided meditation invites you into the yin of sleep—a practice of softening, letting go, and gently sinking into rest. For those times when sleep doesn’t come easily, this practice offers a compassionate space to release effort and remember that you are not alone. Through soothing guidance and affirmations, the nervous system is supported in unwinding, allowing you to drift naturally into sleep.

Transcript

Welcome to the yin of sleep, A practice of surrendering and letting go, Sinking in to the experience of transitioning from wakefulness and resistance into gentle rest. You're welcome to lie in any position that's comfortable to you, That will help you release into gentle slumber. If you need to make any adjustments now or at any time as you sink into sleep, Please do so. Often it's our resistance to wakefulness and our worry about the morning ahead or anything else that keeps us from the very thing we're seeking, To drift off, To let go, To surrender. So see if you can just be okay with whatever level of wakefulness you're meeting in this moment. It's okay to be awake. You're not alone. Someone, Somewhere, Right this very moment is resisting sleep in the same way you are, Shares a similar worry, Or simply cannot let go of any tension, Restlessness, Alertness. It's just how it is right now. It's okay. Letting go of the need to fall asleep on any particular timeline. Let's begin by unclenching the jaw, Softening the eyes, Releasing the muscles of the neck attaching into the shoulders. Release the shoulders. Invite your attention to track down through the shoulder blades and the heart center. Can you soften in this area? Track down through the lower back and belly. Notice the rhythm of your breath. Tracking down through the hips, The thighs. This can be a heavy part of the body. Feel yourself sink into the support that you're on. With each exhale, See if you can release the muscles and sink even deeper into the support. Notice where the heels touch down on the mattress. Take in your body as a whole. Yin is a practice of release, Surrender, Letting go. So that the breath is a bit longer than its natural rhythm, Then inhale. All the way up to the final sip of air in. Hold the breath for just a beat. And then see if you can extend the exhale in equal measure to the count of your inhale. And do that two more times on your own. Allow the breath to return to its natural rhythm. As the body fills with air, You might sense into a natural bit of action and tension. As you release the air, Do so with as little effort as possible. Just surrendering the breath out of the body. And with each exhale, Sink into the support and release any muscular tension that you're aware of just a little bit more. Again and again. You're not alone. With each inhale, Reminding yourself the interconnection of your breath with all. With each exhale, Sinking, Letting go, Releasing, Surrendering. Just stay with the practice of following along with gentle affirmations. Just stay with you to remind you that this being human comes with its worries, Its challenges, Its obstacles. Whatever's on your mind, There's nothing to be done about it right now. Or at the very least, The gentle rhythm of your breath. Knowledge that you're held and supported. Be gentle with yourself. Just allow yourself to sink into the support of your bed. Over and over.