Yoga Nidrā and the Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad: specialist training

Yoga practice

The morning practice follows the Mysore style, giving you freedom to choose its length and form. Massage techniques, gentle floor-based Yin Yoga, a demanding dynamic practice moving through Vinyāsa, or Yoga Nidrā lying down: all these options are open to you. Guidance is available whenever you would like it.

Twice a day, a guided Yoga Nidrā practice reflects the day’s theme. This lets you experience the theory directly and absorb it through practice.

In prāṇāyāma, the practice of working with the breath, we focus on techniques that regulate the nervous system and a particular technique that significantly reduces stress. The whole training serves one purpose: relaxation, slowing down and arriving fully within yourself. Being one.

Your own practice plays a central role throughout the training. You experience the effects of the techniques and anchor them in your body and your whole being.

This personal experience becomes the foundation of authentic, creative teaching. By the end of the training, you will feel confident guiding Yoga Nidrā competently.

Philosophy

Our philosophical focus is the Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad. With 12 verses, it is the shortest of the classical Upaniṣads. It describes the mystical syllable Oṃ, the three physiological states of consciousness—waking, dreaming and sleep—and a fourth, transcendent state.

The training deepens your intellectual understanding of the text’s philosophy and lets you put it into practice and experience it personally through meditative recitation.

Teaching techniques

Explore the complex phases of Yoga Nidrā, beginning with postures that gently lead into lying down. We pay particular attention to choosing suitable props and breathing techniques to regulate the nervous system. A central part of the course is writing two Yoga Nidrā scripts of your own and guiding them in a group. Learn how word choice, vocal tone, speaking technique and pauses help you guide participants effectively.

Develop Saṅkalpa, the power of intention, and explore its role in practice. The training also brings in current findings from research on consciousness and the brain to understand the effects of Yoga Nidrā on the nervous system, the psyche and the cardiovascular system. Polyvagal theory and activation of the vagus nerve receive particular attention.

Learn to integrate Yoga Nidrā into yoga classes, retreats and educational-leave courses. The course concludes with the design of a 12-week progressive Yoga Nidrā course. We also discuss contraindications to ensure safe, effective practice.

Group size

This specialist module is limited to 12 participants.

Teaching practice

You will give a practice teaching session during the training and receive feedback.

Study groups

We form groups during the training. Meet every two weeks, online or in person, to guide one another through Yoga Nidrā and share your experiences.

Times

Friday 17:00–20:30
Saturday 08:00–17:00
Sunday 08:00–17:00