Do you wish you could slow down? Do you struggle to give your mind and body adequate rest? Do you lay awake at night wishing you could quiet your thoughts?

All of this (and more!) is achievable with the right teacher and an open mind. I studied and trained in Western psychology for many years. I can absolutely see value in problem-focused, symptom-based systems of diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. However, what has had the greatest impact on my life has been contemplation-based spiritual practices rooted in yogic philosophy. I believe wholeheartedly in the life-changing powers of meditation, and I’d love to introduce you to a specific type of meditation called yoga nidra.

Rooted in safety, ease, and liberation, yoga nidra is a spiritual practice accessible to all. You do not need experience. You do not need to “know” anything. During our sessions, I will develop a custom practice specific to your needs and gently guide you into this powerful, healing state of consciousness.

Yoga nidra is an ancient practice based on teachings from the Mandukya Upanishad (a sacred Vedic text). It remains alive today through various schools and lineages. For example, iRest® Yoga Nidra was created by a psychologist named Dr. Richard Miller and has been scientifically studied and empirically validated in settings all over the United States, including college campuses, VA medical centers, and military hospitals. The research findings are overwhelmingly positive and suggest this type of meditation can have profoundly healing effects.

Yoga nidra is perfect for people seeking to overcome anxiety, depression, or AD/HD related issues. With continued practice, these techniques can foster a feeling of ease, freedom, and wholeness.

Benefits of Yoga Nidra Meditation:

• Reduced mental, emotional, and physical suffering

• Reduced stress

• Greater sense of wellbeing

• Deep relaxation

• Better sleep

• Increased body awareness

• Increased mindfulness skills

Yoga Nidra Meditation can also help you develop:

• Your life’s purpose, mission, or calling

• An inner resource to access when times are tough

• A connection to source/spirit/the divine

• An inner knowing or deep-seated feeling of trust

• Non-attachment to fluctuations of the mind

Wishing you could learn how to meditate but feeling intimidated by large public classes? Hi! I see you! Let me be your go-to mindfulness coach. Private sessions are truly the way to go if you feel lost or uncomfortable in group classes. We will ease into the practice by first discussing your goals and any past experiences with meditation. I will then guide you into a gentle, beginner-friendly practice with plenty of time to debrief afterward. During a private session, there is no need to perform or pretend. There are no “stupid” questions. We will identify any obstacles getting in the way of your meditation practice and develop a plan that makes sense for your life.

I’m also available to teach in group settings, such as women’s wellness retreats. I love introducing folks of all backgrounds to the practice of yoga nidra. No meditation experience required. Yoga nidra is not a religion and is an appropriate practice for people of all faiths. Traditionally taught lying down in a comfortable position, it is accessible to people of all mobility levels.

Reach out now to get started with private sessions or book me for your upcoming wellness event!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: I’ve tried to meditate, but I’m really bad at it. I can’t stop my thoughts. Will this help me stop my thoughts?

A: I hear this all the time when I recommend meditation to my friends in Austin and my coaching clients. As it turns out, meditation is not about stopping your thoughts. It’s perfectly okay that you’re having lots of thoughts. That’s normal and just means your mind is doing what it’s supposed to do. In the practice of yoga nidra, we learn to let go of the thinking mind and rest in our essential nature – the unchanging awareness that holds all of our sensations, thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. You may even come to welcome your thoughts as messengers that help you on this path to greater ease and wellbeing.

Q: I’m not very flexible, and the word “yoga” scares me. Are you gonna twist me into a pretzel?

A: Nope, not at all. This type of yoga involves no physical movement. You don’t need to be flexible or wear yoga clothes. In fact, this type of yoga might even increase your (mental) flexibility!

Q: I went through some awful things in the past and because of that doctors have told me I have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Is this treatment right for me?

A: Yes! The type of yoga nidra I offer is trauma sensitive. It was carefully designed for people who have witnessed or experienced traumatic events. Yoga nidra is being taught all over the country to help people like you feel calm, safe, and in control. I describe it as medicine for your nervous system.

Researchers have looked at how iRest meditation can help many kinds of people with histories of trauma, including combat veterans, active duty service members, survivors of intimate partner violence, and homeless shelter residents. Research shows it helps trauma survivors sleep better, feel better, and cope effectively with intrusive thoughts, emotions, and memories. This meditation practice also promotes resilience, self-regulation, and empowerment in trauma survivors.

Q: How much do you charge for private sessions?

A: My standard rate for a private 1:1 meditation session is $120. I also offer a discounted package of 4 sessions (ideally used as a 4 week series) for $400. Packages are available for purchase anytime through Paperbell.

Meditation Resources:

Stay Woke: A Meditation Guide for the Rest of Us

• Justin Michael Williams presents a super engaging, beautifully illustrated guide to meditation for real people (i.e. people with busy lives and actual problems who have been ignored, hurt, or shamed by mostly White, upper class meditation communities). This is my all time favorite book on meditation, and I recommend it to EVERYONE!

Yoga nidra: the art of transformational sleep

• A highly revered Yoga Nidra teacher, Kamini Desai, PhD provides a treasure trove of information to the reader, including the historical roots of this ancient practice and modern scientific studies on its efficacy. She explains concepts in an easily digestible manner and her words just may inspire you to take up a daily yoga nidra practice.