We are living in a time when everything is shifting. A time of unexpected turns and unforeseen change. How do we adapt and flow with everything without getting caught up with ‘hanging on’ to how things used to be?
Recently, I had some important plans fall through because of COVID-19. I was supposed to be attending a course in the US to become a Certified Sound + Vibrational Therapist. This was something I was planning for a long time and it was very important to me and my growth. I found myself feeling helpless as I watched my plans unravel before my eyes. The heaviness of it overwhelmed me. I just couldn’t seem to let go. I asked myself, “If I do let go, what then? What will happen to me without these plans? Will I vanish into the vortex with them? What am I without these plans?”
Then…I laughed.
I laughed as I realized how easily caught up I became in the plans, as if being caught like a fish in a net. Its nylon fibres weaving their way into my flesh, twisting and grinning, twisting and grinning, as I try to break free. It was only in my intense resistance that I realized liberation will come from unattachment. I remembered the beautiful words spoken by one of my spiritual teachers, Fr. Charles Ogada, “Plan everything, but always live in the moment. Don’t get stuck in your plans. You will become divided and conflicted if you do”.
There is an ancient Sanskrit proverb that says,
“The arrows of suffering that will pierce our hearts are equal to the number of our attachments”.
One very powerful way to practise letting go of our attachments is yoga nidra. Yoga nidra taps into ways we can investigate and explore emotions and thought-patterns. With regular practice, we can navigate with presence and attention, and become less attached and more equinimous. As Pierre Bonnasse states so beautifully in his book, Yoga Nidra Meditation, The Sleep of the Sages:
“The aim of yoga nidra as a means, is to recognize and understand all the manifestations of these states in a deep, alert, and equinimous state of peace. For in order to let go of something, one must know what one is holding on to. Thus, by observing and letting go of all phenomena, the yogi can finally enjoy this never-ending sleep, empty of all thoughts, whether he is busy doing something, dreaming, or fast asleep.”
With much love and gratitude,
Allison
I am very happy to announce that I will be offering an online Yoga Nidra + Sound practice each Thursday evening from 19:30 to 20:30 EST via Zoom.
The application of both yoga nidra with healing sound can reset or re-pattern the energy body to a more harmonious state of health. Both practices transmits intentions and emotions, which can cause relaxation to occur on a cellular level.
What to expect during a Yoga Nidra + Sound practice:
We start grounding the body and softening the nervous system with breath work and healing sound.
We lie on the floor in Savasana, using props and blankets as desired. If lying on the floor is not possible, you may use a chair or lie in your bed.
Yoga nidra practice begins with relaxation and setting an intention—a Sankalpa.
You will be guided through the practice by listening to my voice and instructions. I will take you through the different sheaths of yoga nidra: the Annamaya kosha (physical body), Pranamaya kosha (energetic body), Manomaya kosha (mental), Vijnamaya kosha (intuitive body) and finally, the Anandamaya kosha (bliss body).
Near the end of the practice, I will create a sound and vibrational experience using my hand-made Himalayan Singing Bowls.
As the practice comes to an end, we come back to the intention we set at the beginning of class, and then slowly start waking up the body.