by | Sep 29, 2015
Many years ago, I was living with an overload of tensions that had contributed to years of anxiety. It had gotten to the point that after a job burnout one day, I couldn’t leave my home for fear of having another anxiety attack. I realized that no one else was going to get me out of this situation, but me, so I invited big changes into my life to at least see where this anxiety was coming from and how I could live in a state of balance again.
For me, balance was something that I could come into for a while, and then also fall out of for awhile. I was interested in how to realize a state of balance, while being able to deal with falling out of balance more gracefully when it happens.
Enter yoga nidra. My first experience with yoga nidra was in a yoga teacher training. Upon waking up from this practice, I knew this was something that I would continue because of its simplicity and powerful effects on me physically, emotionally and mentally. I wanted to know more about this practice, so I dove into learning and practicing yoga nidra through different teachers and self-teachings.
As I became a yoga teacher, I introduced yoga nidra into classes with success. After about five years of practicing and teaching yoga nidra, I was feeling stagnant. I wanted to find somebody that would inspire me towards a deeper understanding of and ignite new ideas for presenting it to different audiences.
I came across Jennifer’s website and listened to her Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra meditations online on Youtube. Jennifer has a wealth of experience including yoga therapy, ayurveda and massage therapy which all contribute to the creative possibilities of creating a variety of Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra.
This was what I was looking for! I contacted Jennifer to study one-on-one with her online. (I would have loved to study in-person at the Kripalu Center, but since I live in Europe, online mentoring is a great option). After a few months of studying with Jennifer, I discovered more freedom of ideas, and creativity as well as a deeper knowledge of the practice itself.
I became passionate again about practicing and leading yoga nidra. Then I made the jump over the pond (Atlantic ocean) to meet Jennifer in-person and take her Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra teacher training! I realized Jennifer not only has a wealth of knowledge to share, but also a big heart.
Within minutes of the training, I could see that Jennifer was super passionate in sharing her experiences with this practice and giving us a special experience. You can see that in the details she gives in the teacher training manual she wrote. It’s loaded with ideas and inspiration.
The training was five days and I had never practiced yoga nidra twice a day before. Each journey with Jennifer was unique and effected me in different ways, but all of them deepened my awareness of myself. In the end I felt an overwhelming feeling of lightness and gratitude that surfaced.
Since the training, I find myself practicing Divine Sleep more regularly again and many times with Jennifer’s CD and her soothing voice. The teacher training with Jennifer had opened up new doors both in my teachings and in my personal practice. I share my experiences with anyone interested in the practice, but specifically with those who have been feeling stuck in a life with anxieties – because I don’t think there is any substitute for having been there yourself.
With gratitude, I look forward to continuing my mentoring sessions with Jennifer and witnessing the ‘peeling of the onion’ in both myself and those I share this potent practice with.
by | Sep 29, 2015
For years, I suffered emotional and physical pain in silence. My life had been challenging and I have felt deep pain and sadness which I had carried with me. As a child, I observed my father suffer from mental and physical illness. My teen years were turbulent, and I was forced to move away from my hometown during my junior year, leaving me feeling lost and completely alone.
Vulnerable and trusting, I met and married a man who became my tormentor. We had three children that I constantly protected as best I could from his verbal and physical abuse. I suffered a debilitating injury during the birth of my third child, and had to end my career as public school teacher. It was at that point, my now ex-husband truly became a tyrant and I finally escaped the cycle of abuse. Fast forward to now: in this past year, I have lost both my best friend who was 49, and my sweet loving mother, as well as my home in a fire!
Even throughout my yoga teacher training, yoga therapy and other courses, I always had difficulty letting go completely and truly meditating or going within. When Jennifer came to Plymouth MA, I anticipated a valuable meditation workshop like others but really I enrolled because it was required in my training. When I said this, Jennifer simply smiled as if she had a delicious secret to share! And she most certainly did share, enlighten, and lead me to change my inner thought pattern and now I am able to fully let go!
Awakening slowly, I began to notice my feet feel cold, then warm, then back to cold. I ‘scan’ of both sides of my body. Then feel the crown of my head, becoming aware of the sound of the wind, the feel the winter chill, and the heaviness of my limbs. I was practicing my ‘homework’. Opening my eyes I had a view of the white snow swirling outside the window, this final day of bliss in Jennifer’s Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra teacher training – my heart’s longing was unfolding!
I could visualize the day to come: my living room alive with the energy, wisdom, and universal oneness of a community coming together with the same intention I had on this special day. We had to move the training to my rental home due to the storm Juno which cause incredible flooding, power outages and heaps of snow! The moment arrived—a day that will not be forgotten within this community of yoga teachers. Forever, I will cherish hearing the group repeating to me as I lay in savasana: “Bonni is healed. Her pain of the past is over.” It still resonates true! We all evolved that day to a higher form of the self with a growing sense of knowing all is possible if we speak, live and reside in our heart’s longing in the now.
It was through Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra that I was able to finally reach inside and begin to release the pain I had so long been carrying. Even during the first practice, I found I was able to truly relax and enter the magical healing place between sleep and awake. There were no thoughts, no distractions, and no inner distractions, as I fully entered into healing awakening.
I cried like a baby when I became fully awake, and it felt like I had left behind some painful blocks. After the yoga nidra we drew with crayons to integrate the experience. It was amazing to draw! My hand was alive and on a journey of its own, discovering colors, symbols, and insights into my own inner truth, surrendering and letting go.
Now, each time I practice Divine Sleep and enter into my heart’s longing, it becomes real, and I heal a bit more — my heart feeling happier and lighter. I see now that I had everything I needed to heal all along already within me! My sleep is sound now and I give myself permission to feel joy! Yoga nidra has initiated the process of soothing and healing myself as the lost child, and as the abused woman, as well as the events of this past year.
Now I lead Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra in my yoga classes. My students tell me that they feel deeply relaxed like never before and that state continues even after leaving class. I can really feel how in our groups I am helping to help foster an awareness of the mind, body, heart, and soul connection for my students.
Each day is a gift. Everything leads to the highest good and I know this as an inner truth and healing from within. It’s my firm belief that yoga and yogic-minded thinking with incredible teachers such as Jennifer Reis can and is making this world a blissful and peaceful place for all.
As a 20 year master level teacher in public schools, I am impressed with Jennifer’s teaching style, sequencing of information, clear, concise instructions, and comfort level with questions. She uses a perfect blend of demonstration and guided hands-on practice. Her ease of response to teachable moments is effortless. We will never forget the class held at my house during a snowstorm with Jennifer. I was in awe of her radiant beauty, my own growth, and the oneness and the sense of peace I can now share with others.
by | Sep 29, 2015
I am well and wonderful, thanks to Jennifer’s amazing workshop! I am a busy single Mom of three with a demanding full time job. And I teach at least eight yoga classes per week! Although I live a pretty holistic lifestyle, I suffered from insomnia and stress.
Every night I would have to go to bed by nine pm because I was so exhausted, only to wake up at one or two am! Then I would lie awake for a couple of hours reading until I fell asleep again — only to have to wake up at 6am! I could be productive until about five in the afternoon, but then I would run the rest of the day on autopilot. I felt mentally sluggish and drained.
I came to Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra retreat with Jennifer at Kripalu for continuing education and also to learn more about Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra. The experience went far beyond my expectations and was truly transformational. Jennifer Reis is one of the most phenomenal teachers I have ever met.
She emanates radiance and is joyful in her teaching. Every moment of the weekend was engaging and informative. The wealth of knowledge she gave to us and the handouts to take home in a folder was such a bonus! I am able to easily continue practicing Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra and Five Element Yoga at home.
Since I returned home from the retreat my life has completely changed! I sleep through the night EVERY NIGHT and have pleasant and vivid dreams. Prior to the weekend I felt very bloated and was at least ten pounds overweight. The bloating went away almost instantly and I’ve since lost the weight.
Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra and Five Element Yoga practice has jumpstarted my metabolism, relieved me of stress and has given me so much more energy. I have never felt so light and unburdened before! My body feels more flexible and stress free, and I move joyfully through each day with grace and ease. My life is still just as busy, active and stressful — but I respond differently. My mind is clear and my composure is calm.
I cannot thank Jennifer enough for her life changing Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra retreat! This is the ultimate in truly healing restorative yoga. I can’t wait to take her teacher training this spring!
Jennifer Cranna
by | Sep 29, 2015
I relate to Jennifer, and Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra and Five Element Yoga styles of yoga because I always feel good after! Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra is a great fit for me and what I need for at this time in my life. Divine Sleep feeds me deeply. When I am guided with Jennifer’s cd’s or when she leads me in person, I go to a place of unknown within myself. I am not sure if I am asleep or awake – but I am somewhere very peaceful. I hear her voice, but I am floating somewhere.
I have been practicing yoga for about 20 years, now in my early 60′s and my life and body are changing! I feel more need to go inward than ever before. I want more meditation and contemplative lifestyle. I love being in nature walking in the woods or seeing the moon at night. My yoga and yoga nidra practices have given me the ability to slow down and notice – to be the ‘observer’.
Divine Sleep has given me the ability to be peaceful now throughout my whole day. I feel more centered and present. Whenever I have trouble sleeping, I put Jennifer’s cd’s on and it always helps me to relax and then to fall asleep! My husband has caught on and uses them for sleep now too.
I love Jennifer’s guided Five Element Yoga CD for my home practice – it’s really so beautiful. It helps me to feel grounded in my body and to calm down and focus. It’s just the right level of physical intensity and the practice of the mudras throughout takes me into myself for deep renewal. After the practice I feel very refreshed with a great sense of well being and joy!
It was great to meet Jennifer when I took her Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra teacher training. Jennifer’s voice is clear, calm and confident. The design of her classes and instruction are well thought out and beautifully executed. It’s obvious that she has worked very hard to become the excellent teacher that she is and I admire her for that.
Jennifer’s intention, I believe, is to bring yoga to the world to provide a place of peace within our hearts and I love that and that everyone can benefit from her practices. Sometimes people are afraid to practice yoga because they think it will be too difficult based on the what the media portrays, but Jennifer makes it accessible to everyone — in movement or in stillness — with practices that are gentle and soothing. I love that! I am just beginning to teach yoga after retiring from my 20 plus year banking career and I feel inspired to offer Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra to my students.
by | Sep 29, 2015
I grew up in an atmosphere where tension and stress was considered the norm. I have scoliosis, a lateral curvature of the spine, which has led to difficulties throughout my life. As a teen, I wore a body cast and dealt with pain every single day. Following high school, I obtained my BS degree in Aviation and was employed as an airline pilot and flight instructor. I also was employed in the law enforcement field as a probation officer. Go-go-go! had been my motto and it was a fast paced world. Until fifteen years ago this was great…
My life and work were extremely stressful and eventually my physical health began to really suffer. I was in constant pain because of my back, always being in the ‘pain mode’. I awakened repeatedly during the night with fragmented restless sleep. I was on pain medications and knew I had to find something better… I really needed to get my mind in a better place. I felt preoccupied and had very with little space…
It was because of the pain that I was led to Yoga. Postures and meditation really worked and I stuck with it because it helped strengthen my back as well as reducing my pain levels immensely. I noticed that my mind settled down which actually made it possible to take better care of myself ‘off’ the mat in my life. I began to cope better with stress and sleep better too.
For me the big thing was yoga nidra. It’s helped me to sleep so much better and I know that this is a big part of why I feel NO back pain now! This has made all the difference in my life.
After becoming a yoga teacher over ten years ago, I began visiting the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health and attended Jennifer’s classes there. During Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra with her I thought ‘That’s the one – this really speaks to me!’ I’ve done every kind of meditation and anytime I practice Divine Sleep my battery gets recharged – even my wife notices how different I am afterwards.
If you saw pictures of me from before you would not recognize me! I’ve made big changes. I am a different person now. In my ‘past life’ instead of resting properly I would think that ‘I should be doing SOMETHING – not sleeping’. Now I realize ‘I should be SLEEPING – and not doing so much’. Now I have found the balance of rest and activity and that’s what is important. It’s so amazing to ‘be in the moment’ instead of being mentally and physically preoccupied.
Now I am a full time Yoga teacher and live on a farm with my wife and our animals. I feel great about my life and what I am doing. In my relationship with my wife there has been a reversal – she’s now a High School principal with a busy workload and schedule. My life is more relaxed and my sense of peace and ease helps her do what she needs to do. She comes home from work all intense and she can just ‘ahhhhhhhhh…’ let go and relax. I see how my lifestyle choices have positively influenced her. I’m her big sigh of relief!
I recently graduated from Jennifer’s Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra teacher training and loved it. Now I really understand and see how yoga nidra works and the steps involved. It was a very professional training and was laid out in a step-by-step manner, which I loved. Each concept built on the next. She really has it down! The manual was just right. It was so comforting to be in that Kripalu energy she creates of letting go – I was in good hands. It felt so familiar. It was great that it was near my home, in my state here in Pennsylvania. It was a wonderful training and I left feeling recharged. I slept like a baby those nights, and continue to sleep well every night!
I co-own a 200 hour Yoga teacher training called Anjali Yoga, LLC, and I teach my students that it’s my job to take care of myself in order to be able to take care of them! I can’t neglect myself and my needs because otherwise how can I take care of others? I applaud how Jennifer took care of us. My students ask for Divine Sleep and they LOVE it! ‘Wow that was great!’ they tell me after every session.
Divine Sleep has changed my relationship to pain and sleep. I was in pain when I was not sleeping. The pain woke me up and my body reacted to it. Now, when it’s time to sleep, I fall asleep, and that has helped me get out of the pain cycle. In a deeper way, I feel I’m getting closer to the point of vast expanse of inner peace throughout my whole being. And this has changed me more than I can say. Ask any of my friends — I rarely actually speak the word “pain” out loud any more because it is such a strong word. Now I have a more positive attitude.
Join Basil for Yoga and Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere.
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