About

Tap into the power of a unique form of research-based meditation in the 24 classes and full-length practice sessions of iRest: Integrative Restoration Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation. Alternating between the theoretical and experiential, between the philosophical and the scientific, iRest trainer Molly Birkholm empowers you with the knowledge and skills to help alleviate everyday stress and life-altering trauma.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1. Introducing iRest Yoga Nidra

37m

One of the most important principles in iRest is that of welcoming: inviting you to explore whatever arises as a part of your human experience. Begin your journey with a look at how stress affects the body, the roots of yoga nidra, and the 10 steps of iRest you'll practice throughout the course.

2. iRest Foundations: Philosophy and Practice

33m

Take a closer look at the foundations of iRest from philosophical and practical perspectives. What texts and teachings form the basis of yoga nidra? How do you set up the right practice space? What time of day is the best time to practice iRest? Is it OK to fall asleep during your practice?

3. Creating an Inner Resource

33m

Your Inner Resource is a haven of peace and serenity - a felt sense of well-being deeply rooted inside your body. In this lecture, Ms. Birkholm shows you how to cultivate and connect with your Inner Resource, which is one of the most essential parts of your iRest practice.

4. iRest Practice: Inner Resource

39m

Start tapping into your personal Inner Resource. Join several other students as Ms. Birkholm guides you through a helpful session designed to help you develop an internal experience of well-being that can help you transition from the anxieties of your outside life to the calm of your meditation practice.

5. The Power of Intention and Heartfelt Desire

33m

Two tools you can use to live as your best self (however you define that) are intention and heartfelt desire. Explore these second and third steps of iRest Yoga Nidra as a way to move closer to reconnecting with your true self and living the life you want most.

6. iRest Practice: Intention

33m

Explore your intention and heartfelt desire in this extended iRest practice session. By identifying them at the start of the practice, putting them away, and returning to them again at the conclusion of your practice, you'll perhaps experience these two aspects of iRest Yoga Nidra in entirely different ways.

7. Learning to Listen to Your Body

33m

Learn how to think of your body as a symphony of sensations and signals. After a brief overview of the different layers of consciousness in iRest, focus on the first: the physical body. Benefits of attuning yourself to your body include heightened sensory awareness and pointers into your true nature.

8. iRest Practice: Body Sensing

31m

Practice allowing yourself to receive the different messages your body's trying to send you. As a way to help you explore your body more deeply (and to gauge some of its benefits), this iRest practice session invites you to continually tense and relax your body (physically or mentally).

9. Exploring the Power of the Breath

33m

Ms. Birkholm reveals what your breath can tell you about your health and peace of mind. Start by learning the yogic and scientific perspectives on breathing. Then, turn to breathing exercise techniques you can incorporate into your iRest practice, including breath counting, Ferris wheel breath, and alternate nostril breathing.

10. iRest Practice: Breath Sensing

35m

The focus of this practice session is on a deep meditation using the principles of breath sensing you learned in the previous lecture. Join several other students and see some of the ways sensing and controlling your breath can influence your physical and mental experience during your practice.

Extended Details

SeriesiRest: Integrative Restoration Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation

Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

The Great CoursesDirector

The Great CoursesProducer

Molly BirkholmActor