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I used to believe that my worth was tied to how hard I worked—pushing myself to give 120% to everything and everyone except myself. I had no boundaries, always prioritising others' needs over my own. I allowed people to take from me without considering my well-being, only realising later how depleted and disconnected I felt.
Rest made me anxious and guilty.
If I planned to ‘do nothing,’ I’d inevitably fill my time with distractions, avoiding stillness because it felt uncomfortable. But I’ve learned that true Rest is essential for well-being, not a luxury or an indulgence.
Give it a try tonight! Download 3 Nights to Better Sleep: A Rest Yoga Toolkit. You’ll get practical sleep tips, a guided Yoga Nidra for Sleep, a recorded breathwork session, and an audio restorative yoga session—all designed to help you get the restful sleep you deserve.
Learning to Honour Rest
Today, I still experience guilt when I take time for myself, but the difference is that I can sit with these emotions now. When making decisions—whether work-related or personal—I ask myself how they make me feel. I take my time, trust my gut, and rarely regret it.
The biggest transformation has been in my mindset toward work. I no longer live to work—I work to live. Instead of pushing myself without limits, I structure my time intentionally.
The Power of Rest Yoga
The real shift happened when I learned to observe my emotions without reacting to them—like a witness rather than a participant. This awareness deepened through my yoga practice, especially Rest Yoga, which includes restorative yoga, yin yoga, and Yoga Nidra.
In the stillness of these practices, I noticed how my body and mind responded to experiences without the compulsion to ‘fix’ anything. Over time, this ability to pause before reacting influenced my daily life. Stressful situations felt more manageable. My responses became more intentional.
But when I neglect my practice, I slip back into old habits:
· Overworking
· Feeling agitated and impatient
· Neglecting self-care
Navigating Motherhood and Self-Care
As a new mother, my yoga practice has taken a backseat while I find my rhythm as a parent. I'm reintroducing boundaries, adjusting my routines, and confronting guilt on many levels.
The one practice that remains consistent? Yoga Nidra. On nights when I can’t sleep, it helps me rest deeply—even when uninterrupted sleep is impossible.
What Is Yoga Nidra?
Yoga Nidra, or yogic sleep, is a guided meditation designed to induce deep relaxation. Unlike traditional meditation, which requires focus, Yoga Nidra invites you to simply lie down and listen. A session may include breath awareness, body scanning, intention-setting (Sankalpa), and visualisation exercises to help you access profound Rest.
The best part? You don’t have to ‘do’ anything. There’s no effort required—just allowing yourself to be. Even if you struggle with stillness, Yoga Nidra meets you where you are. Research shows it can reduce stress, ease anxiety, and improve sleep quality by shifting your nervous system into deep Rest mode.
How Yoga Nidra Supports Better Sleep
If you’ve ever found yourself lying awake, mind racing, Yoga Nidra can help by:
· Calming your nervous system – Moving from fight-or-flight to deep relaxation
· Easing stress and anxiety – Providing a single focus to quiet spiralling thoughts
· Improving sleep cycles – Supporting deeper, more restorative Rest
· Releasing tension – Allowing your body to fully let go
How to Practice Yoga Nidra for Sleep
The beauty of Yoga Nidra is its simplicity. No mat, no flexibility, no extra time required. Here’s how to get started:
1. Find a cozy spot – Lie down in Savasana (corpse pose) on your bed or a yoga mat in a quiet, dimly lit space.
2. Use a guided meditation – Try my Yoga Nidra for Inner Stillness
3. Breathe deeply – Slow, deep belly breaths signal to your nervous system that it’s safe to relax.
4. Follow the body scan – A guided session will help you bring awareness to different areas of your body, releasing tension.
5. Set an intention (Sankalpa) – Before you begin, repeat a simple affirmation such as “I allow myself to Rest” or “I sleep deeply and wake up refreshed.”
When’s the Best Time to Practice?
Yoga Nidra can be practiced anytime, but if better sleep is your goal, the best time is right before bed. During the day, a quick 20-minute session can also work wonders for reducing stress and recharging energy.
This 15-minute Calming Yoga Nidra is my go-to whenever I feel overwhelmed.
A common myth claims that 20 minutes of Yoga Nidra equals four hours of sleep. While that’s not exactly true, what Yoga Nidra does do is enhance sleep quality, helping you wake up feeling more rested.
It boosts your parasympathetic nervous system response. This is the part of your nervous system responsible for deep relaxation so your mind and body can truly unwind.
The Long-Term Benefits of Yoga Nidra
While Yoga Nidra is a powerful tool for better sleep, its benefits extend beyond bedtime:
More emotional resilience – This has been my most profound transformation.
Better focus and cognitive function – Mental clarity and presence improve.
Lower blood pressure and heart rate – Deep Rest has tangible physical benefits.
Increased mindfulness and self-awareness – The calm carries into everyday life.
If falling asleep or staying asleep feels like a nightly battle, Yoga Nidra might be your new best friend. It’s simple and effortless, and cultivates deep relaxation that lasts beyond the mat.
Give it a try tonight! Download 3 Nights to Better Sleep: A Rest Yoga Toolkit. You’ll get practical sleep tips, a guided Yoga Nidra for Sleep, a recorded breathwork session, and an audio restorative yoga session—all designed to help you get the restful sleep you deserve.
Sweet dreams,
Eliza
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