The Yoga Nidra Project

This is a simple, bare bones yoga nidra practice, without music.
The practice of Shavayatra is also known as the 61 points exercise, and is a form of yoga nidra from the Sri Vidya tantra tradition of the Himalayas. It helps us to deeply relax and enter into pratyahara, or sense withdrawal, and merge awareness between the body and the mind. An experience of energy like a network of throughout the body may be felt. The invitation is to just be with anything you experience.
The practice involves briefly resting your attention, on each of the 61 points, as you hear them named. These 61 points correspond with energy-rich areas of the body, known as marma points.
Script is adapted from the description of the practice provided on https://swamij.com/
thumbnail photo by Bruce Christianson, courtesy of Unsplash
Comments and feedback on this and other episodes are always welcome. This podcast is an offering to all who listen, in a world and a time where cultivation of our own personal sanctuary of inner peace and wellbeing is becoming as urgent as it is elusive. If you have any feedback at all, please email me [email protected].
with love,
Phoebe

A gentle and invitational approach to the liminal space of yoga nidra, allowing the possibly of accessing one's own inner wisdom and creative thinking.

Many, many thanks to all my listeners to your patience, lovely messages, kind reviews, and continued connection with this podcast. It means the world to me and keeps me inspired to continue.

If you have any feedback, requests or suggestions, you are more than welcome to send me a DM via Instagram @phoebeboonkerd.

Words: Phoebe Boonkerd

Voice: Phoebe Boonkerd

Field recording: 산절의 풍경 Wind bells at a mountain temple, by Abyssence, via Internet Archive, under Public Domain Mark 1.0

This yoga nidra practice is suitable either as an initiation to sleep, or as means to tap into the in-between state during your day.

Recorded on a balmy night at the height of Australian summer, the sound of crickets can be heard in the background. It is themed around a breath and prana-balancing technique detailed in Uma Dinsmore-Tuli PhD's radical, wonderful book Yoni Shakti: a woman's guide to yoga and tantra.

Words: Phoebe Boonkerd

Voice: Phoebe Boonkerd

Thumbnail artwork by unknown artist, courtesy of Pinterest.

In this extended yoga nidra practice, we will explore the concept of an inner garden sanctuary, in which to nurture yourself and water the seeds of your heartfelt desires. We also explore themes of unconditional love and compassion, towards yourself and all beings. Greater equanimity is created by observing the way the mind creates, maintains and dissolves sensations and images. It is my sincere wish that you enjoy this practice and that it enhances your own sense of inner peace and wellbeing.

Words: Phoebe Boonkerd

Voice: Phoebe Boonkerd

Music: Andreea2702 via archive.org (https://archive.org/details/meditation-healing-music/Healing+Deep+Sleep+Meditation.mp3)

Find a comfortable seat and explore the practice of sama-vritti, or box breathing.

This is a pranayama practice that activates the parasympathetic nervous system, soothing and calming the mind, as well as enhancing lung capacity. We are using a count of four for each breath in and out, as well as for holding the breath between the two. Move gently, the practice can be challenging initially.

Once learnt, this technique is something you could integrate into daily life, for example while sitting in traffic, needing a mental break from work, or even while out walking, to increase your in the moment awareness, and relieve stress and tension.

Words: Phoebe Boonkerd

Voice: Phoebe Boonkerd

Music and editing: @YogaMuay