I often like to think that I know exactly what to do when I start to feel stressed. After all, I’ve been practicing yoga for about 20 years. In the process of earning my certification as a yoga therapist, I spent many hours learning about the effects of chronic stress on our bodies, minds, and spirits.

I’ve learned asana, mudra, mantra, meditation, chanting, and everything else that leads to peace and calm. So I think I’m pretty prepared to deal with stress.

I’m quite capable of handling a stressful situation such as a near miss car accident, a disappointing turn of events, a crying baby, relationship struggles, a tooth extraction – you get the picture. And I’ve come to learn that stress can actually be good for us. It signals our bodies to prepare to fight, run away, or freeze. Once the danger has passed, our bodies can return to their natural state of homeostasis; that condition where our bodies can rest and recover.

Lately, I’ve been noticing that, in my own life and the lives of those around me, stress has taken on a more permanent state of being.

Aside from the everyday “normal” stressors in our lives, most of us are being bombarded by stress, (think an angry Mother Nature, global conflicts, angry politics, addiction epidemic, social media) and the stress becomes chronic. So many things are out of our control. The part of the brain that controls the release of stress hormones is on constant duty. As a result, we are always

The part of the brain that controls the release of stress hormones is on constant duty. As a result, we are always in a state of high alert. The consequences include irritability, sleepless nights, exhaustion, sickness, aches and pains of all kinds.

Many of us would rather ignore stress than have to deal with it, hoping it will just go away. Others believe that stress is energizing and motivating and helps keep them going; you know, that “adrenaline rush” that never goes away.

Neither of these approaches work for very long.

Don’t despair! YOGA NIDRA TO THE RESCUE! YOGA NIDRA means “CONSCIOUS SLEEP.” We can address the stress by stimulating the relaxation hormones that our own bodies produce so that we can rest and recover.

This yoga is not about exercise.

It’s a systematic, multistage set of relaxation techniques that induce a deep, meditative state. All you have to do is lie down in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and listen. Really! That’s it!!!

Studies have shown that YOGA NIDRA may help with anxiety, insomnia, depression, addiction, and chronic pain.

YOGA NIDRA has been incorporated into weekly treatment for soldiers at several VA facilities across the country.

The University of Massachusetts Medical Center has proposed a new NIH study on YOGA NIDRA’s benefits for chronic pain.

So, are you ready to ADDRESS YOUR STRESS!? All you have to do is dress comfortably and show up! You have nothing to lose but your stress!

Call or register online now. Space is limited.