Yoga Nidra For Yule And The Winter Solstice

This yoga nidra practice is a systematic meditation, especially for the Sabbat of Yule and the winter solstice. No previous yoga experience is necessary; you only need a willingness to relax and be open to deep rest. This particular practice is from the Wiccan standpoint, but all relationships are honored and welcome. Blessed Yule!

Transcript

Begin in a comfortable position with your eyes closed.

Lying down in the resting pose of savasana is recommended.

If you haven't already,

Consider what your resolve or sankalpa will be.

This is a goal or direction you wish to set for yourself.

Only you can decide what this will be.

I cannot choose it for you.

Whatever you choose,

It should be something encompassing.

For example,

Instead of saying,

I want to excel at lifting weights,

You might choose to say,

I am filled with strength.

Remember,

This is your practice.

I am simply here to guide you.

Aside from this,

Allow yourself to completely relax as I take you through this practice.

Relax,

But do not fall asleep.

Allow your awareness to be on your breath.

Know that you are in a safe environment and protected space.

Stay awake by listening to the sound of my voice.

If your mind starts wandering,

Which is natural,

Just come back to the sound of my voice.

You might choose to inhale through the nose and allow the belly to expand,

And exhale through the mouth while relaxing the whole body.

Do this several times.

It's natural to flow in and out of conscious hearing during this practice.

Understand that whatever your experience is today is the experience meant for you.

There is no way to do this incorrectly.

Inhale two more times at your own pace.

At this time,

You should set your resolve.

Make this a short,

Positive statement,

And state it three times mindfully.

We will now begin a body scan as we make a quick trip through the body.

When I mention a body part,

Simply bring your awareness there.

Don't force your focus,

And don't fall asleep.

Starting with the top of the head.

The forehead.

The right eye.

The left eye.

Both eyes together.

The nose.

The mouth.

The right cheek.

The left cheek.

Both cheeks together.

The right ear.

The left ear.

Both ears together.

The back of the head.

The neck.

The throat.

Bring your awareness to the right side of the body.

The right shoulder.

Upper arm.

Forearm.

And hand.

The whole right arm.

The right armpit.

And the area outside of the ribs and the waist.

And the space between the outside of the upper body and the arm.

The right side of the chest.

The right side of the belly.

The right hip.

Thigh.

Lower leg.

And foot.

The whole right leg.

The right side of the pelvis.

Lower back.

Upper back.

The whole right side of the body.

Now bring your awareness to the left side of the body.

The left shoulder.

Upper arm.

Forearm.

And hand.

The whole left arm.

The left armpit.

The outside of the ribs and waist.

And the space between the outside of the upper body and the arm.

The left side of the chest.

The left side of the belly.

The left hip.

Thigh.

Lower leg.

And foot.

The whole left leg.

The left side of the pelvis.

Lower back.

And upper back.

The whole left side of the body.

And now the whole body.

The whole body at once.

And fall asleep.

Now bring your awareness to your breath.

Observe the pattern of your breath,

But do not alter it.

Just be aware of it.

If you wish,

Visualize energy from the earth entering your body through your feet and rising until it reaches your crown chakra.

As you exhale,

You might choose to visualize releasing what no longer serves you and that energy leaving through your feet.

Inhale from the feet to the shoulders.

And exhale from the shoulders to the feet.

Take your time.

Don't fall asleep.

Bring your awareness to the rise and fall of the navel with each inhale.

Again,

Do not change the rhythm of your breath.

Just breathe naturally.

Now begin counting your breaths backwards in your mind,

From ten to one.

Like this.

Ten,

Navel rises.

Ten,

Navel falls.

Nine,

Navel rises.

Nine,

Navel falls.

Begin this now,

Bringing total awareness to your counting.

If you miscount,

Begin again at ten.

Now observe if any part of the body feels somewhat lighter than the rest,

Practicing detached awareness.

With this lightness,

Feel the body rising up.

Now observe if any part of the body feels somewhat heavier than the rest,

Again practicing detached awareness.

With this heaviness,

Feel the body being supported by the earth.

If you are feeling drowsy or sleepy,

Say to yourself,

I am awake.

Do not fall asleep.

Now observe any part of the body where you might be feeling discomfort.

Simply be aware of it.

Now observe any part of the body where you might be feeling contentment.

Simply be aware of that too.

I invite you to see or feel that you are looking through a window and watching the snow fall.

The snow covers a large group of evergreen trees,

As well as the landscape.

Are you seeing heavy snow or just flurries?

How do the trees appear to you?

As you watch nature's magic,

You are inside by a fireplace,

Cozy and warm.

Perhaps you will pour a warm beverage for yourself from the kettle on the stove.

What would you like?

You take your drink into the living room and sit by the fireplace.

There you notice a yule log atop a coffee table.

How many candles are on the log?

What colors are they?

You are warm and relaxed.

You are wrapped by the peace of the winter solstice.

Perhaps you will light one of the candles on the yule log,

Or maybe all of them.

What do you choose?

Now you simply continue relaxing.

Your eyes go back to the window.

Has the snow picked up,

Slowed down,

Or stopped?

You feel completely at peace.

Take a moment to recognize the beauty of the silence outside,

Realizing that you can return to this winter escape at any time of your choosing.

I will now call out a number of different things.

Visualize them on the level of emotion,

Memory,

And imagination as it resonates with you.

Jump from image to image,

And do not linger on any image for long.

Do not force your focus.

The element of earth,

A lone evergreen tree.

The element of air,

A pentacle.

The element of fire,

A cauldron.

The element of water,

Chestnuts.

The light of a candle,

Cinnamon sticks,

Snow,

A warm coat,

The sound of my voice,

The body at rest,

Spirit,

The body at rest.

Now call to mind your resolve,

Or sankalpa.

Repeat the same resolve you made at the beginning of the practice,

In the same words,

And do so mindfully.

Now repeat your resolve three times.

Continue to stay awake as this practice concludes.

Be aware of the sounds around you.

Be aware of the body.

Be aware of the breath.

Invite subtle movements into the hands and feet,

The fingers and toes.

Perhaps you will choose to stretch lightly.

Do whatever feels natural and comfortable to you.

At your own pace,

Come up to a sitting position.

This concludes the Yoga Nidra practice for now.

Namaste and Blessed Be.