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$27.00 iRest® - March

iRest® Yoga Nidra meditation is a modern-day secular, western adaptation of the ancient meditative practice of Yoga Nidra. It is a gentle form of self-inquiry, which has been shown to effectively reduce anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, chemical dependency, and PTSD. It also has the ability to increase our health, resilience, and well-being. In fact – experiencing this practice can feel like 2-3 hours of deep rest or sleep. For some, it is a total re-set!

In iRest® Yoga Nidra, there is truly nothing for you to do but listen and notice – you will be supported in feeling empowered, awakened, and whole – just as you are!  During iRest®, we enter receptive states of deep relaxation and meditation, while remaining alert and aware. As we drop into ourselves, using breath awareness, body scanning, and imagery - you will be invited to become aware of your bodily sensations, without needing to change, fix, or resolve anything. The practice of iRest® enables us to uncover and access our inherent wisdom, in a gentle and compassionate way.

Typically, iRest® Yoga Nidra is practiced in a position of lying down on the floor, on your back, supported by bolsters, or pillows, and being covered with a blanket; you will be invited to create your own “nest of comfort.” However, the practice is also accessible resting on your side or sitting up, if lying down is uncomfortable, not accessible, or too vulnerable for you. No yoga or meditation experience is necessary and all levels are welcome. No special apparel is needed, but loose, comfortable clothing is recommended, as well as, wearing layers for warmth.

Equipment Suggested:

• 1 or more yoga mats (to your comfort).

• Several cozy blankets – one to possibly cover your mat(s) and the other(s) to cover your body. During Yoga Nidra, the body’s temperature drops and the blankets will keep you warm.

• Pillow for head support or a folded blanket can be used.

• Bolster (small or large – whatever is suitable for you) for behind the knees to support the lower back. *If you do not have a bolster, a rolled blanket or towel can be used.

• Light washcloth, to be used as an eye-covering. **Eye-bags are not recommended because they are a bit heavy and can damage the eye (ocular nerve), during the longer period of time that we will be resting.

• Journal, for possible writing (if desired).

Sherry Maliken

The potency of Yoga never ceases to amaze Sherry. She began practicing Yoga in 1997, at a local Iyengar studio (Unity Woods), in Bethesda, MD. Even though she did not like it at first – she continued, and hasn’t stopped since. In April 2020 (23 years later), during the thick of the Covid Pandemic, Sherry began practicing Yoga daily, in order to stay “sane,” and then – as a result of that daily practice, became inspired to enter a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program (October 2020), with the Yoga Center of Deerfield Beach, the oldest active yoga studio in South Florida.

Throughout her life, Sherry has experienced great healing from Yoga. In fact, one month into her YTT, a bicyclist ran over Sherry’s left foot, breaking 3 metatarsal bones. That did not deter Sherry! And with a broken foot, she continued, and completed her YTT, attaining the RYT® 200 level in June 2021. Sherry attributes both her good recovery, and excellent foot rehabilitation, to a great Physical Therapist and her own on-going Yoga practice.

Sherry is particularly drawn to the practices of Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra, having used both practices regularly, throughout a decade of personal trauma recovery (2008-2018). In 2012, Sherry had her first taste of Yoga Nidra and it was very profound. Her fascination with its restorative power, has brought her to the on-going study and practice of this form of meditative yoga over the past 10 years.

This past fall (November 2022), Sherry completed a Level 1 Teacher Training from the iRest® Institute (San Rafael, California), in order to be able to teach iRest® Yoga Nidra, developed by Richard Miller (Yogi master and Ph.D. Psychologist). Sherry was totally WOWED by this recent training, and is both happy and grateful to be able to share this beautiful, ancient, healing practice with others. She looks forward to bringing the benefits and power of this somatic, gentle, and compassionate practice of self-awareness into the lives of those around her.