Nap Bishop Tricia Hersey's book, Rest is Resistance is a powerful manifesto for a rest practice like yoga nidra. One of my favorite quotes: “A community call toward rest as a form of activism is a call to slow down and listen and care. It is an empowered place fueled by the shared goal of becoming more human. We are not machines. We are not on Earth to fulfill the desires of an abusive system via our exhaustion.”
During a time of heightened state oppression we must cultivate moments in our days and week to pause, breathe and rest. From a place of nourishing rest we can best serve ourselves, and thus our community.
Yoga nidra is a guided meditation that can be practiced in any posture and any place that feels restful, generally lying down in savasana or corpse pose. During yoga nidra the nervous system shifts to the parasympathetic state, where healing and deep inner knowing can unfold. I infuse key themes and quotes from the New York Times’ bestseller Rest is Resistance into each yoga nidra, a time to slow down and care for yourself by doing literally nothing. You might fall asleep or be in the liminal space, dreaming and downloading….
After each nidra I will offer an optional journaling prompt, a way to tap into your own intuitive wisdom. I encourage everyone to read her Rest is Resistance book, but please know that the class is for all, whether you have read her book or not.
Beginners are welcome. I check in via email with students new to my offerings to support their experience. New students please register early to allow for that check in. Registration closes on April 1st
These items are recommended for optimal comfort during the practice:
Comfortable clothes, pjs even
Blanket under your body and at least one blanket to cover your body during the nidra. Think cozy and comfortable.
Cushions under your knees and head if that feels good. You can practice in your bed, sofa, yoga mat, recliner, chair.
An eye pillow if you like one (soft scarf works great too)
Lotion and/or essential oil in a carrier oil. Pick a scent that you find restful and not stimulating. Lavender is often a go to.
A warm restful herbal tea or bottle of water nearby. Maybe some nuts or dried fruit. This will help you ground after the nidra is over.
I encourage students to avoid caffeine.
Journal or paper, pencil. Colored pencils if you would prefer to draw, instead of writing.
Cell phone set to silent
This series will be recorded and available for replay until May 1st
Dates / Times / Format
4-week series; Thursdays in April
April 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
7:30 - 8:30pm PST
Livestream
Investment
$90 for series
** Please pay Rita directly through her Venmo account: @Rita-Jimenez-4 OR her PayPal: @ritaj65 **
Please note that this series is not included in the new student special. If you are of African heritage and the class fee is a barrier, please contact me via email at ritaj65@gmail.com. If you would like to donate to support African heritage folks in taking this series, please reach out via ritaj65@gmail.com.
Registration closes April 1st
About Rita Jimenez (she/ella)
Rita Jimenez is passionate about offering yoga nidra in English and Spanish. Her offerings are rooted in both trauma-informed training and her lived experiences as a disabled brown elder. In 2013 she started teaching yoga with two non-profits, first Street Yoga and later with Living Yoga, in Portland, Oregon. In 2020 she received her 300 hour yoga teacher training certification with Bhakti Yoga Movement Center. In 2021 Rita became a Daring to Rest Yoga Nidra Facilitator. In 2024 she completed the Total Yoga Nidra’s 14 hour Immersion Experience Online. Rita lives in Oaxaca, Mexico, where she paints, writes and hikes with her dog Sorpresa. Learn more about her passion for yoga at her blog at http://yogawithrita.blogspot.com.
Comments