by Anwar Baksh | May 29, 2018
“Where’s the thermometer?” I asked my husband while stuffing my pajamas in a suitcase and mentally packing our kid’s lunches. There wasn’t much time before my ferry left and there was so much left to do!
After holding still for fifteen seconds, a green light flashed, announcing my 98.6 degree temperature. I was thinking, “Huh? I am healthy? No fever?” Except for my head ache, sore throat, mouth ulcers, lethargy and crankiness belied something was going on. However, it did mean I could indeed still attend Five Element Yoga and Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra retreat at Kripalu Center in the Berkshires!
Like everyone who has been to Kripalu, I love it there! I had heard yoga nidra and that it could mean ‘peaceful sleep’. When, some friends recently sang Jennifer Reis’ praises, I took it as a sign and registered for the weekend, even though I didn’t know anything about Five Element Yoga.
The thing was, I needed sleep so badly, I actually felt sick. I wanted to find sleep in the most natural and lasting way possible. And after over two years of trying essential oils, a noise machine, room darkening shades, daily meditation, breathwork, herbs, acupuncture, exercising, not exercising, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, counting sheep – you name it – I was even more determined than ever to avoid pharmaceuticals.
The insomnia had been especially hard on my family. I was so grouchy that in my mind I made Vladmir Putin look like Mickey Mouse! Even so, deep down, I still had hope that I could sleep again.
Finally, I landed on a mat in the second row of Jennifer’s class on Friday night. During introductions, participants were invited to say where we were from, and what we were hoping for during the weekend. When the microphone came to me, I tilted it towards my mouth and made a wish, “Sleep – please?”
I was stunned that out of the forty or so participants, who were there from all over the world, I was the only one to mention sleep. I hoped I had registered for the right workshop. Could my wish will come true? Could I change from a caterpillar to a butterfly? Jennifer assured me these practices can help. She shared about her teaching, and said she has taught yoga for over 20 years (but to me she look about 20!). That and her laid-back, playful, manner quickly won me over.
When I was in a yoga posture that joyously involved pulsing to the beat of the music, I felt something inside me connect with this practice of Five Element Yoga. Near the end of that first session, we learned self-massage techniques, then Jennifer led a yoga nidra meditation. Later I drifted off to a decent night’s sleep. Awesome!
During Saturday’s session, Jennifer lead yoga with live music with Senta Reis and her many instruments. We learned more about how to balance the inner five elements, ways to use the breath to affect the nervous system, and more on ‘how to’ relax. Then a wandering walk past blossoming cherry trees, through a forest, towards a quiet lake did me wonders!
After an equally amazing afternoon session, I checked in with myself: My throat didn’t hurt – but I was still no butterfly. After resting in the sauna, I sat in the quietly and journalled. I felt slightly cheated that I didn’t instantly feel 110%. I came looking for a miracle. If I couldn’t find one here, where would I find it?
That night I laid awake until 3:30am, realizing it was probably because I ate three helpings at every meal – has anyone ever told you how amazing the food is at Kripalu? Wishing I had done it earlier, I finally download some of Jennifer’s CD’s to my smartphone, and listened to Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra while holding Adhi mudra she taught me for sleep. That worked and I finally fell asleep!
Near the end of our heavenly Sunday morning Five Element Yoga and yoga nidra, we bid our ‘Aum’s’ which feels yogic for ‘farewell’. I am assured by Jennifer that “this can help you, but you have to practice regularly. The effects are cumulative.”
I will try just about anything and thank goodness I have remained so open because I finally found something that has helped me tremendously! Sunday night back at home, I felt something shift within me. I broke through my usual two am wakeup pattern and instead pleasantly enough slept all the way to 3:45 am! Then I listened to another yoga nidra from Jennifer and was able to sleep until 6:30 am. For me, this was profound!
During the week that followed, my children joined me for yoga nidra, begging to hear Jennifer’s Magic Blanket Divine Sleep Journey recording on her Children’s CD/MP3. When together we practiced another of the children’s tracks, the Butterfly Journey, I actually felt butterfly-like! I realize I had no more headache, no more grouchiness, no more mouth sores! Yoga nidra was working!
When listening to Jennifer’s voice, I can easily see the enchanting center of a poppy flower and feel its nectar healing my feet. My children have been asking for yoga nidra instead of bedtime stories. My husband joins us too! The four of us line up with beloved blankies, eye masks and pillows on the bedroom floor to listen.
The recordings are simple, yet profound. Full of wonder, yet also grounding. Guided in the journey, I hear my four-year-old’s voice repeat so sweetly three times, “I am always calm and full of love.” My eight-year-old reflects after the Magic Blanket Journey, “I wish I could do that in the middle of my school day; I would feel so much better.” My husband admits, “That is so calming.”
And I can finally say, “I am healthy! I am sleeping!”
The effects are cumulative. During the weeks following the retreat, I forget about things that don’t really matter and am able to let them go with ease. I am no longer driving down the road with a list of ‘to-do’s’ running through my head. It feels like there is a slow-moving magic wand and I can suddenly let go of the little things! And now I feel so much more peaceful.
I’m wake my son from his nap more gently. I notice more sensations in my body and feel more connected. I can absorb my life in a more open-hearted way and feel increasingly attuned to what really matters. My mind is clearer. Admittedly, I do not always sleep well, but I trust as time goes on, and I get even more connected to my body, breath and being, with regular practice the effects WILL continue to do their work within me to bring me greater and greater ease and peace.
Now, when people now ask me about how I’m sleeping, I answer, “I’ve discovered yoga nidra which is all about inner balance and harmony. It’s helped my whole family so much. Everyone should try it.”
by Anwar Baksh | Apr 30, 2018
I found myself overwhelmed, stressed, overextended as well as plain old tired of being tired! I said ‘yes’ to too many things. I did not always recognize my body’s signals telling me to rest. I was pushing through, yet in my head seemed to be saying something like ‘just one more thing to complete’ and ‘I’ll rest when I’m dead’. Then I realized, there was a big difference between the two! I needed to restore myself. I needed rest.
Originally, I had begun practicing yoga about sixteen years ago when I moved to the Berkshires. Without knowing anyone there, I took a drive one day and somehow ended up at Kripalu Center. I joined the Berkshire Kripalu Community for residents. I fell in love with yoga, but didn’t really understand its depths, regarding it at that time as mostly just an excellent physical practice. I did relish the time spent in relaxation in savasana pose at the end of class! That’s when I finally got a chance to be still and rest.
Then I moved away and things got busier – new job, marriage, then graduate school. Followed by starting up my new career as an Occupational Therapist, new house, home repairs (and then more home repairs), and last but not least, babies (both human and with fur). I had forgotten the stillness I found when practicing yoga, as I was too busy achieving and managing responsibilities.
Serendipitously , I signed up for a local yoga-dance class and the teacher encouraged me to pursue yoga teacher training. I found myself making excuses to not do it. I realized I was afraid of not being good enough and in a state of ‘resistance’. I challenged myself to get over it by pursued the training! After nine months I became a yoga teacher! I am completely grateful and feel so inspired by my transformation through yoga, as well as gaining clarity to see people and situations more clearly. When I faced issues in my personal and professional life, I used the mantra of “Let yoga lead the way” to guide my decisions and it has always led me towards living out my highest good.
I attended a monthly yoga nidra class and I was intrigued. It was like an adult sleepover and the music was so relaxing. Everything just felt better after yoga. The stillness and rest I found was even better than savasana alone! I found a whole new level of rest within myself. Researching, I discovered Jennifer Reis’ Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra teacher training and offered over two weekends and in my favorite place of respite – the Berkshires, I jumped at the opportunity! This would fit into my schedule.
Learning more about the levels of body (koshas) and how they relate to the different stages of Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra helped me to access my deeper levels of healing. And I felt I had everything I needed to know to prepare me to guide others through Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra. Jennifer has developed and shared the gift of Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra training and I found it truly transformative, restoring and healing.
Now that I practice Divine Sleep regularly, I find that I’ve caught up on my rest and that I am able to remain more alert and aware, conscious of the inner workings of my mind and the visions and experiences. With each journey, I discover new things and uncovered new parts of myself in my mind and whole being. By the end of each practice, I feel more clear. I have been able to shift my priorities to live in greater alignment with my vision for a balanced life.
While I was taking Divine Sleep training, I worked in an environment that challenged me to assert myself as well as advocate for myself and patients. At times, it felt like a storm inside with all the emotions swirling! But I was able to stand grounded, still and committed to my truth. I used the hand mudras I learned in Jennifer’s training to help me remain true to my heart.
Every night, I listen to Jennifer’s CDs to help me sleep more peacefully. Her techniques are brilliant! The soft, sweet delivery of her guidance allows for the healing process to transform me on all the levels. After having a baby and experiencing extreme sleep deprivation, sleep is a glorious thing and so important for my daily functioning. It’s scary to think how previously I was functioning in a deficit!
As a result of yoga nidra, my sleep has improved immensely, allowing me to be more energized and restored and open to possibility each day. Since the training, I moved myself in a new direction, creating a business, Radiant Journey LLC that will allow me to let ‘yoga guide the way’ and help people. It seems to me that people of all ages and abilities are searching to have another ‘hold space’ for them, to hear their story, and help them both remember inner stillness and connect with their bliss.
Now, I create meaningful connections with others. I find I’m able to live in accordance with my values, and have a deeper understanding of the myself. I find myself able to draw boundaries and honor my heart wish daily! I feel comfortable saying “No” more to those demands, people and situations that drain me and pull me off center. I recognize my body’s signals telling me when to rest and then I actually am able to respond kindly now to my body’s intelligence, rather than pushing.
It took me a while, but I’m glad I learned this life lesson. I have much appreciation for Jennifer and the gift of Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra!
by Anwar Baksh | Apr 2, 2018
I woke up one day in 2012 to find myself mysteriously unable to walk in severe whole body pain that did not go away. At the time, I could have accepted the diagnosis of ‘fibromyalgia’, resigning myself to living a life with the limitations of what has been called ‘an incurable condition.’ (fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition accompanied by fatigue, insomnia, gastrointestinal, memory and mood symptoms). In fact, at the time, I could not even walk.
Without answers from top medical experts, I dedicated my life to healing myself. I made a different choice – I shifted all of my attention in a more positive way.
I learned how to walk again – one-step at a time. My home yoga and meditation practice helped me to reduce the flares of pain. I learned to listen to my body, to breathe and be with my inner self. For the first time, I allowed myself to receive support from loved ones – and that part of it was not easy! Nor was my whole healing journey, which was a roller coaster of emotions and uncertainties.
The pain was intolerable at times. However, my husband, friends and family and I celebrated each miraculous achievement I made together: my first solo walk down the hall and back; then my first solo walk down the block – and back! For some time I had needed a ride back after just a short walk. Also, my first ride in a car sitting up, without needing to lay down in the back seat. All these small yet amazing successes, led to big and extraordinary ones! Looking back now, I realize that I was slowly re-wiring my nervous system to be able to increase my physical and emotional strength.
I felt stronger each day, and in 2017, I began my 200-hour yoga teacher training at Kripalu center for yoga & health. I was fortunate to meet Jennifer Reis there, who guided Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra several times during the training. Living with fibromyalgia, the intensity of the training certainly pushed me to my edge, but also provided me with the self-care tools I needed. Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra is one of those extraordinary tools.
The first time I practiced divine sleep, I knew instantly that it worked for me! I didn’t know all of its intricacies or exactly what it was, but I knew I had found the powerful practice that I wanted to lead. I realized I could help others with it. I was eager to find out more about this form of guided meditation traditionally practiced laying down. Shortly after graduating as a yoga teacher I was able to complete my Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra Teacher Training with Jennifer!
Now I practice Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra daily and I find it truly helps me manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia. This practice taught me and my nervous system how to turn off the “fight or flight” switch, which in fibromyalgia is always on. That’s what creates the pain sensations and the multitude of other symptoms. This is truly amazing for me!
Now I also know how to turn on the “relaxation response” to help significantly reduce my daily pain levels, increase my energy, and calm my mind. Today I find I sleep better and my overall health has improved! Yoga has been a constant gift that has spread into every area of my life and has helped me to face huge adversities with grace, courage and resiliency.
Divine sleep, yoga asana, breathing techniques, and a healthy lifestyle, helps me to manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Now I live a more joyful and peaceful life. I am able to participate in all of the things I love to do even the activities that when first diagnosed I never imagined I would be able to do! Like being physically active and traveling the world!
I feel incredibly grateful for Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra and how its changed my life and how I see it changing my students lives.
by Anwar Baksh | Feb 22, 2018
My marriage fell apart. I had two teenage children and it was a difficult and very painful time. I examined and re-examined every detail of the divorce and the events that led up to it. I had trouble sleeping and suffered from insomnia, with a recurring nightmare of losing my pocketbook, which to me represented losing my identity.
As a child I could not stop moving! I tumbled, cartwheeled, and flipped wherever I was. There was such joy in movement. As I got older, my free play morphed into cheerleading, dance, aerobics, jazzercise, pilates and yoga. I was known as the “queen of stretch”. It just felt so good.
As life went on with the usual responsibilities and stresses: marriage, career and child raising, there was precious little time to continue my passionate need to move. Exercise became an item on my ‘to-do’ list rather than the uninhibited joy that it has been earlier in my life.
After many years of “toeing the line”, figuratively and literally, I lost the corporate job that I held for 20 years due to outsourcing. Amazingly enough, this turned out to be wonderful and resulted in a whole new path for me! I had the time to once again seek out the joy of movement. I received my 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Kripalu, and also become a Pilates trainer. And this is also when my marriage fell apart.
It was around this time that I longed for more specialized yoga, that I found Jennifer and Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra. What a gift! The timing was synchronistic with what I truly needed. ‘Ask and you shall receive!’ and I received bountifully!
I took Jennifer’s Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra Teacher Training, and attended many of the Advanced Divine Sleep Training weekends. It really helped me to continue to evolve my understanding of yoga nidra with Jennifer’s guidance.
I have integrated Divine Sleep not only into the classes I teach, but also into my own life. Perhaps the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is acceptance and forgiveness, beginning with myself.
I have also learned with Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra to examine and embrace life’s opposites, and all the ups and downs that have happened to me. Feeling opposites in your body – such as cool/warm, heavy/light, liquid/solid and so on – is one of the key parts of Divine Sleep. And as Einstein put it, ‘For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction’. And I can see this truth in my life’s experiences.
Now that my children have been all grown up for many years now, I have also brought dance back into my life. Yoga and dance have opened the door to traveling with the community and I have gone to Italy, India, Greece and this Spring to Costa Rica! This is one wild life! Thank you, Jennifer Reis, for sharing your amazing self!
by Anwar Baksh | Jan 23, 2018
Before practicing yoga nidra, I struggled to find work life balance. I was commuting two hours a day to work, working a full-time job, as well as being a busy mom raising two daughters – both of them training in dance – with a husband who traveled frequently for work. I felt I needed to be able to deeply relax and let go of the stress that I was under if I was to be able to continue the pace.
I struggled with finding a way to meditate or feel like I was doing it properly since my mind was always racing and going off in so many directions! When I discovered yoga nidra, I was able to listen to and follow the guided meditations that helped me to relax in a deep way that I had never experienced before.
Feeling deep relaxation helped me to be in the frame of mind to be able to create the intention to both live a more peaceful life, and to be closer to my home and children.
My ‘clear intention’ took a while to manifest but I continued with my yoga nidra practice and it’s been SO worth it! I was able to change my life so that I no longer have a two-hour commute. I am thrilled to have additional time with my daughters to get them ready for school, and drive them to their activities, and share quality time!
I am grateful to have found yoga nidra to help me relax, which has helped me get clear about what’s really important in life. My positive intentions that arose from my clarity have helped change my life in wonderful ways.
Originally I first experienced yoga nidra during my yoga teacher training. It was incredible, and unlike anything I had ever experienced! I couldn’t believe that I had been practicing yoga for almost 17 years and had never come across yoga nidra. I was looking for a yoga nidra training and luckily came across Jennifer Reis at Kripalu! I jumped at the opportunity to enroll.
I was nervous about driving the eight hours by myself from Canada to Kripalu and didn’t know anyone there. It was a huge step for me to take on this adventure by myself, but deep down, I knew it would be rewarding and strengthening! Everyone at Kripalu was extremely nice and the environment was breath taking! I also met fantastic friends.
The most surprising part for me was the personal transformation I experienced while taking the training. I guess I wasn’t expecting such a deep healing experience myself because I knew we’d be learning so much about the practice itself. Everyday Jennifer led us in Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra, allowing me to become immersed by it in profound ways. The practice and the beautiful healing energy of being at Kripalu allowed me to have major personal breakthroughs that I am forever grateful for.
I lost my sister Samantha when I was 13 years old. As much as I wished it over the years, I had never been able to feel her around me since her passing. During one of the Divine Sleep Yoga Nidras we were guided in, I felt her presence! It was a beautiful and life changing experience for me. Parts of the first couple of yoga nidra practices were challenging for me to imagine a place of peace, but when I let go and stopped trying so hard, or resisting so much, I saw my sister! And she led me to my special peaceful place.
Samantha became part of my ‘peaceful place’, my inner sanctuary, and it is a feeling I will always cherish. I cried during that Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra, and felt it through my whole being. Now I feel Samantha continues to be with me when I practice yoga nidra to this day.
Divine Sleep has helped my children as well. I got all of Jennifer’s CDs and two daughters love the Children’s CD and listen to the Butterfly Journey often (my eight year old listens almost every evening)! They find it so calming and relaxing and they love it!
Now I lead Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra in my own yoga classes for my students. I love to share this wonderful practice with everyone to let them know the healing and calming potential of the practice. Yoga isn’t only a physical practice, but also through yoga nidra, we can relax the mind and body for deep healing.
For more inspiration I attended Jennifer’s Advanced Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra training focusing on writing Journeys. It was a fantastic training and a reunion with the dear friends I made at Kripalu. Jennifer is an inspiration and her happy demeanor makes her trainings enjoyable. What I love about Jennifer’s teaching is that you can take parts of yoga nidra into your daily life. For example, your heart’s intention can be repeated throughout the day as a meditative mantra to keep you on track. When I’m upset or tense, I imagine myself in my peaceful inner sanctuary. These tools are special gifts that go far beyond just the 20 or so minutes of the yoga nidra practice time.
I am so grateful and blessed for the gift of Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra in my life! To be able to share this experience with my family, my students and my friends is icing on the cake. Thank you for this sweetness in my life Jennifer!
