So glad that you are here for the second week of Advent for Yoga Nidra Rest.
The four weeks of Advent are broken down into themes and this week the theme is preparation or waiting.
The Advent season marks the start of a new year for Christian churches.
A new year is an opportunity for growth,
Restoration,
And renewal.
It's an opportunity for self-reflection.
It gives Christians an opportunity to renew their faith and solidify their relationship with God.
Let us prepare our hearts today as we take time to rest in the midst of this often busy time of year.
Making yourself so comfortable,
Use any kind of props,
Allow for any additional wiggles and movements,
Make any adjustments,
Be sure that your neck and head feel supported.
Do anything else that you need to facilitate rest for your mind,
Body,
And spirit.
We'll move now into our breath awareness practice.
You may wish to place one hand on the heart and one hand on the belly.
For the next few breaths,
Just simply feel and notice that your beautiful God-given breath is doing its job.
As we're preparing for Christmas,
The second week of Advent is all about preparation.
Let us begin to prepare for our session a little bit deeper now.
What is it that you might need more of during this Advent season?
On the inhale,
Begin to breathe that in.
Maybe it's love or peace,
Rest,
Joy.
What do you need more of?
Breathe that in all the way to your soul with each inhale.
With each exhale,
Let go of anything that might not be needed.
Breathing in what you need and breathing out what is no longer needed.
What do you want to let go of this Advent season?
Continuing a few more moments of breathing in whatever it is that you need.
Breathing out whatever it is that you no longer need,
What doesn't serve you.
Breathing in whatever it is that you need,
What doesn't serve you.
When you're ready,
Simply allow your natural breathing to take over.
Maybe you allow the hands and arms to find a comfortable resting place.
Make any additional adjustments.
Maybe you'd like to cover up with a blanket.
As we prepare now for our body scan,
Just ensure once again that your neck and head are supported and that you feel as comfortable as possible.
When you're ready,
We'll begin by bringing awareness to the top of our head,
Top of the head.
Gently begin to bring awareness down the back of the head,
Noticing any pressure at the back of the head or any support if you're reclined.
Gently continue bringing awareness to the entire back of the head.
As the head becomes heavier,
Notice if the top part of the head or the face in this case can soften.
We notice the lines of the forehead melting away.
Notice the eyebrows softening.
Allow the eye muscles to soften.
Maybe allowing a little bit of light to filter through because the eyes are so soft.
Soften the cheeks,
The nose,
The lips.
Soften the tongue.
Let it rest away from the roof of the mouth.
Allow the lower jaw to soften.
Maybe open and close it a time or two.
Maybe swallow a time or two to clear the throat.
Bringing awareness to the throat and neck,
Softening.
Bringing awareness to the shoulders,
Softening the shoulders away from the ears.
If you're reclined,
Notice the shoulders feeling heavy and supported.
Softening the upper arms,
Elbows,
Lower arms,
Hands,
And each finger.
Softening and resting.
Notice the shoulder blades softening,
Feeling supported.
Upper back,
Mid back,
Lower back.
The entire length of the spine.
The entire back feeling supported and resting.
Bringing awareness now to the glutes and the entire pelvic bowl,
Allowing softness and rest.
Bringing awareness to the hips,
Thighs,
Knees,
Calves and shins,
Ankles,
Feet,
And all toes.
We'll begin at our feet and move our way back up the body.
This time,
Pausing anywhere that might need extra prayer for healing.
Toes,
Soles of the feet,
Tops of the feet,
Heels,
Ankles,
Lower legs,
Knees,
Upper legs.
Hips,
Glutes,
Lower back,
Mid back,
Upper back.
Shoulder blades,
Shoulders,
Upper arms,
Elbows,
Lower arms,
Wrists,
Hands,
All the fingers.
Back of the neck,
Back of the head,
Top of the head,
Forehead,
Eyes,
Ears,
Nose,
Cheeks,
Mouth,
Lips,
Chin,
Jaw,
Throat,
Clavicles or collarbones.
Right side of the torso,
Abdomen,
Left side of the torso,
Lungs.
Pausing here for a few breaths,
Noticing the beautiful dance of our breath in the body.
Bringing awareness now to the heart space.
Preparing our heart.
Incorporate a brief heart check here.
You may begin to bring one or both hands to the heart if you wish.
Prepare the heart by letting go of what is not needed in order to make room for what is best.
What is it that might be on your heart that you can let go of this Advent season to make room for what you do need?
What is your heart's desire?
How are you preparing your heart?
We might take some time now to ponder and pray in the stillness of meditation and reflection.
I'll guide us back together in just a bit.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Larger movements into the arms and legs.
Maybe stretching for a full body stretch.
Eventually,
Perhaps bringing the legs in for a hug.
Incorporating any type of movement that feels just right.
Eventually,
Floating over to your favorite side,
Pausing here for a moment,
Letting me remind you that in this world,
You are so loved that you matter and you make a difference.
Your presence here today makes a difference.
Perhaps you'd like to stay here on your side for the duration of our practice,
Including the blessing.
When you're ready,
Gently bring yourself up to a comfortable seat.
Again,
No rush.
Let's take a moment to remember the time we've been here.
For our blessing today,
I'll pause after each portion to allow time to repeat it if you wish.
Let us pray.
May we take time to be with you.
May we have patience and excitement as we wait for you.
May we be prepared for your arrival.
We expect you to show up.
May we recognize you as we take time to pause and look around.
May we not be so caught up in the hustle and bustle.
Help us to prepare for your arrival in a way that nurtures a spirit of anticipation and hope.
Help us to leave enough space in the busyness to pause,
Pay attention,
Listen,
Wait,
And pray.
To pause,
Pay attention,
Listen,
Wait,
And be surprised.
Help us in our preparation to incorporate quiet moments and embrace divine interruptions.
May our hearts be full of love to be messengers of love in this season and beyond.
And all of God's beautiful children said amen and amen.
Thank you so much for being here today.
From my heart to yours,
I am sending you so much love.
