Yoga
Nidra
Scripts
Praise for
Yoga Nidra Scripts: 22 Meditations for Effortless
Relaxation, Rejuvenation and Reconnection
Tamara Verma
So good, and timely a roadmap to inner reconnection and enlightenment a must-have resource for yoga teachers and healing practitioners, and one I keep reaching for.
Ashley Petrovsky, RYT 500, Ash Sky Yoga
Yoga Nidra Scripts is a valuable teaching tool for yoga teachers, practitioners, healers and others who guide Yoga Nidras. Tamara Verma offers a rich and varied assortment of eloquently written scripts to guide others on a deeply relaxing and healing Yoga Nidra journey. These Yoga Nidra scripts are accessible to modern practitioners yet drawn from time-honored lineages that have refined this profound meditation technique.
Aiyana Athenian, Co-Founder of ShivaShakti School of Yoga
I got rave reviews with the scripts! I highly recommend Yoga Nidra Scripts for anyone teaching yoga, mindfulness, or looking to deepen their own connection to the practice of Yoga Nidra. Tamara Verma has put together a valuable resource with easy to follow scripts you can plug into your classes. With all the script choices, youre sure to find just the right one for your theme and timeframe. Ive been teaching yoga for many years, and feel confident that these scripts will be useful for many more years to come.
Aruna Kathy Humphrys, Lead Trainer at Young Yoga Masters and Ambassador Yoga
Yoga
Nidra
Scripts
22 Meditations for Effortless
Relaxation, Rejuvenation and Reconnection
Tamara Verma
Deep gratitude to Aiyana and Krishna
of ShivaShakti School of Yoga for reigniting my passion for
Yoga Nidra with their thoughtful, beautiful teachings.
Disclaimer
This book is not intended to treat, heal or prescribe. The information contained herein is in no way to be considered as a substitute for a consultation with a duly licensed health care professional.
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.
Author: Tamara Verma
Copyright 2020 by Tamara Verma
First Edition 2020
Publisher: RTV Yoga Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-7774888-0-2 (paperback ) 978-1-7774888-1-9 (e-book)
Contents
Authors Note
Over 20 years of teaching yoga, Ive noticed a general shift in people, their lifestyles and needs. I believe, as a result, theres been a change in which yogic practices are most relevant right now.
Ive seen people waking up to the fact that a yoga body is not the key to happiness. I also see people completely depleted on all fronts: physically, mentally and spiritually. What I believe people need more than anything now is rest .
One of the yogic practices that fills this need for rest and rejuvenation is Yoga Nidra sleep with trace awareness. It also happens to be one of the most effortless and deliciously enjoyable yoga practices.
Whats more, in addition to rest and rejuvenation, Yoga Nidra offers the other r word people need right now reconnection. I see people less connected to themselves than ever before. Disconnected from their bodies, energies, minds, inner wisdom never mind their higher selves.
I created these Yoga Nidra scripts so you and I can guide people to relax, rejuvenate, and also reconnect with, or even discover for the first time, their full spectrum of being: living body, energetic being, well of inner knowing, and Source itself.
There is a lot of healing to be had. And oh, the sweetness of doing nothing. Doing nothing and gaining everything that is the gift of Yoga Nidra.
About This Book
There are a variety of scripts in this book different lengths, different purposes, for different times and seasons, including elements from different lineages and styles.
However, there are a few things the scripts share in common. In my experience, familiarity helps the mind rest. When you have a basic sense of whats coming next in your Yoga Nidra practice, theres less need to think or anticipate, so the mind settles. That is so key to an effective Yoga Nidra practice. In this book, Ive used a consistent script structure and common phrases to create familiarity for more effortless relaxation.
I find what works best for me and the people I guide is using similar structure, phrases and techniques and once in a while shaking it up with something new. That way the familiar patterns dont become wallpaper to the point where the mind just ignores and wanders off to thoughts of dinner or weekend plans.
Ive also tried to keep language simple and familiar. These are not scripts only for seasoned yogis. I wanted to make them feel accessible for anyone. For that reason, Ive often used simple terms such as energy, rather than prana, or navel centre rather than Manipura chakra, and so on. If youre leading a group of yogis, feel free to use the Sanskrit words.
Ive given approximate timings for the scripts, as well as suggested pre- and post-practices to help you plan your sessions. Timings will depend on your reading pace, but for general guidance, a line break indicates a brief pause, (pause) indicates a pause for one deep breath and (long pause) indicates a break for three deep breaths. As always, read the room and adjust pacing and flow accordingly.
Hear samples of the pacing I use with these
FREE audio recordings:
Anytime Calming
Overflowing Heart Yoga Nidra
Rainbow Light Yoga Nidra
Get them at yogaghar.ca/freenidra
Finally, Ive tried to make the language of the scripts inclusive for all people whether or not they are able or comfortable to lie in savasana. The options to sit supported or lie in an alternate position are also included.
Tips for Using This Book
These scripts are meant as a starting point. If creativity doesnt come easily for you, then by all means read them as-is and simply adjust as you observe and speak with your practitioners.
If you are creative, access your inner wisdom and play. Edit to your own voice, omit sections or add elements to suit the needs of your practitioners. Even I dont read these scripts the same way twice!
Always be responsive to the people youre guiding. Ask yourself, what is appropriate for this space, with these people, at this time? And ask them as well.
Give a bit of a primer before leading each session. For example, if you plan to lead the Floating Leaf Yoga Nidra, ask if everyone present is comfortable with that. You might learn that someone has a fear of drowning, so that script wont be appropriate. Dont be afraid to ask, adjust and always have a backup plan.
Also, continue to adapt as the people youre guiding grow in their practice and as you grow in your ability as a guide. In general, the shorter scripts are a good way to introduce the practice of Yoga Nidra, and the longer scripts are for people who are already experienced.
Ive included suggested pre- and post-practices such as yoga poses, mudras and mantras to give you the ability to craft fuller, more profound Yoga Nidra sessions. The suggestions are primarily for teachers familiar with asanas, mudras and mantras. If you arent familiar, at least its a starting point for an Internet search, or you could consider my Mudra Yoga Teacher Training for full detail on mudras. (More information at yogaghar.ca. )