Yoga Nidra Teacher Training: The art of Deep Rest

40 hour course: 32-hours training plus 8 hours self-study certified by Yoga Alliance

This can be taken as a stand alone module OR as 40 hours towards your Advanced Teacher Training 300 hour certification. 

WEEKEND ONE: OCTOBER 14TH - 15TH 2023 

WEEKEND TWO: NOVEMBER 25TH - 26TH 2022 

TIME: 09:00-17:00 

VENUE: St Werburghs Community Centre (ROOM 12) OR ONLINE 

Full price £505. Non refundable deposit of £110 needed to book your place.   

Discover an ancient meditation technique that deeply relaxes the body and the mind in order to transcend beyond the ego and into a state of blissful peace.

Becoming increasingly popular as a tool for reducing stress and fatigue, yoga nidra also carries a rich philosophical history. This course will explore the historical timeline and philosophical context of yoga nidra, as well as introducing you to the three different schools of yoga nidra, iRest, Satyananda and Himalayan, and the similarities and differences between the three.

With theory providing our foundation, we will then begin the practice of giving and receiving yoga nidra. You will be encouraged to find freedom in your delivery, build confidence in your own voice and set yourself free from any limited ideas of what yoga nidra “should be”. 

We will look at the idea of san kalpa, the use of language and visualisations and how to keep students safe. You will discover the therapeutic benefits of yoga nidra, including the modern day application of yoga nidra for PTSD and why this is relevant for your classes.

Yoga nidra is a practice of transcendence. By allowing ourselves to release all physical, mental and emotional tension we can escape the limitations of the ego and the challenges of everyday life, and let ourselves open up to a place of stillness within. This is an invaluable gift in busy modern times, and a beautiful practice to share with students to allow them to experience the meditative bliss of yoga nidra.

This course will be limited to 15 students to allow for intimacy of learning and connection.

Syllabus includes: 

• The history and philosophy of yoga nidra
• The three different schools of yoga nidra and the variances in structure and style
• The physical, mental, emotional and spiritual benefits of yoga nidra
• The link between yoga nidra and the sleep cycle
• How yoga nidra affects the brain
• How to build creativity into yoga nidra
• The role of san kalpa (intention)
• Language - incorporating trauma awareness and the use of visualisations
• How to (and whether to!) write your own yoga nidras
• Receiving at least one yoga nidra practice at day
• Sharing your experience of sharing yoga nidra so far
• How to teach - practical considerations and contraindications
• Experience teaching your fellow students and being taught by them
• Giving and receiving healthy and useful feedback

About Mel Skinner: 

Mel has been teaching yoga since 2014, and after studying and practicing a variety of styles she now focuses on slow, therapeutic styles of yoga, with emphasis on softening the body, creating space for the breath and developing awareness of one's self. 

She teaches on Shanticentre Training School's 200 hour TTC and the 300 hour Teacher training specialising in Yoga Nidra and Restorative Yoga. 

She teaches online and face-to-face classes, workshops, retreats and one-to-ones and incorporates reflexology, menstrual cycle awareness, and astrology in her work, supporting people with anxiety, depression, stress, low self esteem, chronic fatigue, menstrual difficulties and more. 

Testimonials: 

 “Mel’s Yoga Nidra intensive was wonderful in every aspect! As a course facilitator, Mel is a natural. The training was very well planned, full to the brim with thoughtful content and plenty of space for discussion, reflection and exploration.  This Yoga Nidra course is one of the best courses I’ve done; I felt very supported during the course and confident to go forth and offer my first yoga nidra classes. Mel holds the space very well and I would recommend her in a flash to anyone who wants to study and offer yoga nidra.” 

— MARIANNE

 “Mel’s training gave me the confidence to start offering Yoga Nidra in my classes straight away. She clearly communicated all the information that I needed to begin teaching, inspired me to be creative, and to explore different ways of teaching and practising myself.  Mel’s approach is non-dogmatic and down to earth, allowing me to explore each part of the practice in detail, considering different styles and approaches of each ‘school’ of yoga nidra. Her depth of knowledge and experience really shines through, alongside a deep respect and passion for the practice and teachings of yoga. I’d highly recommend this course.” 

— LIZZIE