Yoga Nidra

Recently I had the pleasure of connecting with Kim Hess of Tropic Yoga.  Kim also shares a love for yoga, fitness and sailing.  She is way ahead of me, already living on her sailboat with many years of yoga instruction behind her.  Kim not only teaches yoga, but she also provides seminars at Sail America Boat Shows, sailing clubs and workshops nationwide.  

I first discovered Kim when finding her book, Yoga Onboard.  This is a great book providing guidance for staying fit while cruising or living on a boat!  Recently, Kim produced a new cd, Yoga Nidra. What is Yoga Nidra?  Well, I had the same question and was curious about Kim's new cd.


It turns out that Yoga Nidra is a powerful, ancient form of guided meditation that induces relaxation and healing of the body, mind and spirit.  It is said that regular practice of Yoga Nidra offers the opportunity to process and release the stress and tension that cause physical and mental illness.  It is also reported that regular practice results in better sleep, less physical pain, and more emotional well-being.


Yoga Nidra sounded like something I'd enjoy, so I purchased Kim's cd and gave it a try.  After going into my "Zen Den", away from distractions, I listened to the introduction which describes Yoga Nidra and its many benefits.  I then had a choice between a 40 minute session or a 20 minute session.  It's suggested to choose the 40 minute session whenever possible, so the longer session it was! 

I was instructed to lay down, grab a blanket, and relax.  Kim's voice then guided me into a deep relaxation and before I knew it the 40 minutes was over.  I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the Yoga Nidra cd!  I felt not only relaxed, but refreshed and clear-headed.  With today's pressures, we all need a way to release tension and stress and this will become a part of my weekly routine.

I love meditation, but being fairly new to this practice I need guidance.  I can not sit and meditate on my own without getting distracted.  Kim's Yoga Nidra cd gives me the guidance I need to relax and free my mind.  If you've always wanted to learn meditation or just need a change from your normal  practice, Kim's cd is a great choice! 

My Zen Den!

With an interest in yoga, meditation and escaping to the tropics I thought I'd write about my space that I've created to "escape" to until I do finally make it to the tropics on our sailboat.  With all the pressures and stress of today's lifestyle, we all need to take time for ourselves to calm our minds and relax.  This is easier said than done, but having a place to go to with no distractions can definitely help. 

Although I highly recommend yoga and meditation to relax (it really helps), I know that not everyone will take the time to try it.  Whether you practice yoga and/or meditation or not,  having a quiet place to relax, read, listen to music, enjoy a glass of wine, etc. is priceless! 

I've created my own sanctuary, which a follower (thanks Paul!) recently called my "Zen Den".  This room is in my home and towards the back of our house.  This is by far my favorite room in the house, and I can immediately feel myself start to relax as soon as I settle into my own little world.  I wanted a room to practice my yoga and mediation, and I wanted it to be warm and inviting with an exotic feel.  I accomplished this by painting the walls with a warm, rust color in a suede finish then adding fabrics and textures in different shades of the same color.  I covered the window and closet door with a bronze silky fabric to bring it all together.

I took my time creating this room, as I wanted it to reflect my personality and passion for the Asian culture.  When I'm in my "Zen Den", I feel like I've been transported to a place somewhere in Asia, far away from the stress of my daily life.  My husband and daughter know that this room is my sanctuary, and it is off-limits to visitors.  When we move onto our sailboat, I plan on duplicating this look.  How cool would it be to have a "Zen Den" in our salon and/or v-berth?!

So, think of what your sanctuary would look like.  Would it be a pastel colored room reflecting the beach and the sea, maybe something warm and zen-like as my own sanctuary, or maybe a dark purple room with splashes of pink and orange!  Whatever your vision of "escape" is, think about creating it and enjoying it.  Go ahead and "pamper" yourself, you deserve it!

Meditation, Just Sittin Around

This article was on Skirt.com and I thought I'd share it with you.  Meditation is a great thing, but it takes practice for most people.  Me, not so much.  I'm pretty good at just sittin!