Welcome to this yoga nidra,
The hero's journey.
It's a journey of deep relaxation and self-discovery.
To prepare,
Make sure that you are in a safe environment where you can rest by yourself for the duration of this practice.
Make sure you will not be disturbed and that your environment is safe and secure for yourself.
Lie on your back and allow yourself to get completely comfortable,
Ensuring you are supported by the earth beneath you.
Adjust your arms,
Your legs and head until you feel completely at ease.
If necessary,
Use a bolster underneath your knees.
Make sure your arms are slightly away from your body and your palms are up to the ceiling.
For further comfort,
You can use an eye pillow on your eyes.
Now with your eyes closed,
Face softened,
Tune into your body,
The rhythm of your breath and let it flow naturally in and out.
Take a few deeper breaths with longer exhalations and notice your body relaxing into the embrace of the earth.
As we settle into our posture,
Take a moment now to set the intention for this journey.
This is your sankalpa.
What quality or transformation do you wish to embody?
Formulate this as a positive statement,
For example,
I am strong,
I trust myself,
I embrace growth and opportunity.
Hold this intention in your mind's eye as we begin.
Let's start our yoga nidra with a body scan.
Bring your awareness to your toes.
Feel them soften and relax.
Move your awareness up to your feet,
Your ankles,
Letting all tension melt away.
Bring your attention to your calves,
Your thighs,
Relaxing completely.
Feel the weight of your hips and pelvis sinking into the ground.
Your abdomen softens and your chest rises and falls naturally with each breath.
Relax your shoulders,
Letting them drop away from your ears.
Feel your arms and fingers grow heavy and calm.
Let your neck and jaw release any tension.
Soften your face,
Your cheeks,
Nose and forehead.
Finally bring your awareness to the crown of your head.
Feeling a wave of relaxation wash over you from head to toe.
In the hero's journey,
Before the adventure starts,
There's always the call to adventure.
This is where you,
As the hero in this story,
Accept the call and begin your journey of change.
Imagine yourself standing at the edge of a vast,
Open landscape.
Before you,
A path stretches out,
Inviting you to step forward.
This is your call to adventure,
A journey into the depths of your being.
You feel a quiet excitement and a deep sense of purpose stirring within.
The air around you feels alive,
As though it carries whispers of encouragement.
You take your first step on the path,
And each step takes you further from the familiar and deeper into the unknown.
There is some sense of trepidation,
Some uncertainty,
But the path glows faintly,
Lighting your way,
Reassuring that you are on the right path.
As you walk further into this new and interesting landscape,
You come upon a glowing archway.
It shimmers with light,
Inviting you to cross.
You notice that with each step,
You leave fear behind.
You leave self-doubt behind.
You leave hesitation behind.
This is the right way.
As you pass through the threshold,
You feel a shift in your being,
A sense of freedom,
A release,
A promise of possibilities,
New adventures.
You are now fully immersed in the realm of your inner journey.
On your path,
You meet beings who are here to support you.
They may appear as wise elders to give you encouragement and advice.
They may be animal companions that lift your spirit,
Or symbols of your own inner strength and intuition that you have developed for yourself.
Notice who or what comes to guide you.
They offer you wisdom or a gift to aid you in your journey.
Take a moment to receive their support.
You continue on your journey,
And suddenly,
Unexpectedly,
An obstacle appears.
It might be a storm,
A shadowy figure that brings fear to your being,
Or a wall blocking your path.
Pause here and breathe deeply.
Remember the wisdom and tools your allies have shared with you.
With their help and your own courage,
You face the challenge.
As you overcome it,
You feel a surge of strength and confidence flow through you.
You realize this challenge has prepared you for something greater.
Now you discover,
After facing your challenge,
The path continues and opens into a luminous clearing.
Here you discover a treasure waiting just for you.
It may be an object,
A word,
A feeling,
Or even a profound realization.
This treasure represents your inner gift,
Your truth,
Your power.
Hold it close to your heart,
Feeling its warmth,
Its energy filling you completely.
Know that this treasure will guide and support you in your life.
You now make the decision to journey back to your life,
Your day-to-day existence.
And as you turn and make your way back,
You carry your treasure with you.
It feels lighter now,
As though the path welcomes your return.
With each step,
You notice how you've grown stronger,
Wiser,
And are more at peace through this journey.
You cross back through the glowing archway,
Stepping into your present self.
Your treasure has become part of you,
Ready to be shared with the world.
Bring your awareness now back to the present moment.
Connect with your body and feel the weight of your body resting on the ground.
Notice the air on your skin,
The gentle rhythm of your breath.
Wiggle your fingers and stretch your toes.
Stretch your body gently if it feels good.
And when you are ready,
Slowly open your eyes,
Bringing with you the gifts of this journey.
In closing this yoga nidra,
Take a moment to reflect on your experience.
How do you feel?
What insights or gifts will you carry forward?
Remember the wisdom of this journey is always with you,
Ready to be called upon when needed.
You can always return on the path of the hero whenever you wish.
Hari Om Tat Sat.
