NSDR For Relaxation & Better Sleep - by Wellness Academy

COURSE

NSDR For Relaxation & Better Sleep

With Wellness Academy

This course is a gentle guide into NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest), combining clear explanations with guided practices to help you unwind, reset, and sleep more deeply. You’ll learn what NSDR is, why it works, and how to integrate it into your daily life. From setting up your space and posture to understanding how food, breath, and mindset affect your rest — each lesson is designed to give you practical tools you can actually use. We’ll explore breath-based techniques, body scans, and protocols like Yoga Nidra and the 3-2-1 sleep method. You’ll also get tips on sleep hygiene, rhythms, and creating your own supportive rest routine. Whether you're here to sleep better, calm your nervous system, or simply rest more deeply, this course offers a foundation to help make rest a regular and nourishing part of your life.


Meet your Teacher

Michael Weitzman is a certified teacher of Mindfulness Meditation, Pranayama, Yoga Nidra, and other restorative practices that support deep rest and nervous system regulation. With over 15 years of experience teaching wellness at St. George’s University School of Medicine, he has guided thousands of students in developing the skills to manage stress, improve sleep, and find calm amidst the demands of daily life. His teaching style is grounded, accessible, and focused on helping others reconnect with their inner balance through simple, effective tools.

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20 Days

253 students

4.6 stars

10 min / day

Relax

English


Lesson 1

What Is NSDR

Explore the concept of NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest) and common questions about the practice. Learn how NSDR differs from naps, meditation, and yoga poses like shavasana or yoga nidra. Understand why falling asleep during NSDR is normal and discover the best times to practice for maximum benefits.

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Lesson 2

Benefits Of NSDR

Discover the powerful benefits of NSDR, including stress reduction, improved focus, and better sleep quality. Learn how NSDR works on a neurological and physiological level to help calm the nervous system and promote deep rest without actual sleep.

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Lesson 3

When & Where To Practice

Learn the best times and ideal places to practice NSDR for maximum benefit. Whether it’s during a midday break, after waking up at night, or before stressful events, understanding when and where to practice can help you integrate NSDR smoothly into your daily routine.

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Lesson 4

How To Practice

Get clear and practical guidance on how to begin an NSDR session. This includes setting yourself up in a comfortable position, whether lying down or reclined, and creating an environment that supports stillness and rest. Learn simple steps to settle the body and mind so the practice feels natural and effective.

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Lesson 5

3/2/1 Sleep Protocol

Learn a simple evening routine to support deeper sleep and make NSDR even more effective. The 3/2/1 sleep protocol encourages finishing your last meal three hours before bed, turning off screens two hours before, and spending the final hour doing calming activities like reading, stretching, or guided meditation. These steps help the body and mind unwind naturally and prepare for rest.

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Lesson 6

Sleep Environment

Explore how your physical environment affects the quality of your sleep and NSDR practice. Simple changes like adjusting lighting, reducing noise, and keeping the room cool and clutter-free can make a big difference. Creating a peaceful, supportive space helps signal to your body that it is time to relax and let go.

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Lesson 7

How Food & Drink Impact Sleep

What you eat and drink can significantly influence the quality of your sleep. Stimulants like caffeine, heavy or sugary meals, and alcohol can make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep. This lesson looks at how simple shifts in your diet, especially in the evening, can support more restful and uninterrupted sleep.

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Lesson 8

Lower Belly Breathing

Tuning into the natural rise and fall of the breath in the lower belly can gently anchor attention and calm the nervous system. This simple focus helps the mind settle without force or control. Learning to rest awareness in this rhythm can deepen both NSDR and sleep by reconnecting you with a sense of ease and presence.

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Lesson 9

Earth Descent

This simple, focused pelvic tilt gently releases tension in the lower back and hips. By bringing attention to one small area, it encourages deeper relaxation and better alignment during NSDR practice.

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Lesson 10

Five Qualities Of The Breath

Focus on five simple qualities of the breath: slow, deep, smooth, continuous, and calm. Noticing these qualities helps you connect with the breath, settle the mind, and support deeper relaxation during NSDR.

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Lesson 11

Dissolving With The Out Breath

Learn to use the out breath as a tool to release tension and let go of stress. Focusing on dissolving with the exhale encourages the body and mind to relax deeply and supports the restful state of NSDR.

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Lesson 12

2/4/6 Breathing Technique

Explore the 2/4/6 breathing pattern which involves inhaling for 2 counts, holding for 4, and exhaling for 6. This rhythm helps calm the nervous system, promote relaxation, and deepen your NSDR practice.

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Lesson 13

Embodied Breathing

Begin by tuning into the natural rise and fall of the breath in the lower belly. Then expand awareness to the whole body, noticing how your breath connects with the sensations of the body resting against the surface. This practice deepens presence and relaxation.

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Lesson 14

Dissolving Method (Sitting Option)

This variation of the Dissolving Method is designed for a comfortable seated position. It guides you to use the out breath to release tension and soften both body and mind, making relaxation accessible even when sitting.

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Lesson 15

Spotlight (NSDR Protocol)

Spotlight is a focused NSDR practice that directs your attention deliberately to specific parts of the body or sensations. This method helps deepen relaxation by grounding awareness and gently guiding the mind away from distractions.

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Lesson 16

Ten-Point Embodied Scan

This guided practice leads you through awareness of ten key points in the body, helping you tune into sensations and cultivate a deep sense of embodiment. It supports grounding and relaxation by connecting mind and body in the present moment.

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Lesson 17

Classic Nidra

Experience a traditional yoga nidra practice that guides you into deep rest through body awareness, breath, and visualization. This method supports profound relaxation and rejuvenation, complementing your NSDR practice.

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Lesson 18

Body Scan

This guided body scan invites you to bring gentle awareness to each part of the body from head to toe. Noticing sensations without judgment helps relax the body and calm the mind, deepening the restfulness of NSDR.

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Lesson 19

Curiosity & Letting Go

Approach your inner experience with gentle curiosity, noticing sensations, thoughts, or feelings as they arise without needing to change anything. This openness creates space for natural letting go, allowing the body and mind to soften into rest.

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Lesson 20

Carrying The Practice Into Daily Life

NSDR is more than a tool for deep rest. It can be a gentle support woven into daily life. This closing reflection offers simple ways to continue the practice, whether through regular sessions, mindful pauses, or staying connected to the body and breath in everyday moments.

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4.6 (5)

Recent Reviews

Biggi

July 31, 2025

A thorough introduction to NSDR with many shorter and longer practices. Very informative, but also experiential. Thank You 🙏🏼

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