The Tender Seedling

a yoga nidra recording for Beltane

The season

This nidra was given live online on 24.4.26 at dusk, as we enter the Beltane season. Beltane is the mid point between spring equinox and summer solstice. Participants had shared about the joy of the birdsong, blossom, woodland bluebells and seedlings they are growing for the veg and flower gardens. This chimes with what’s going on here at VG.

But the air remains chilled despite sunny days and vitality springing abundantly. Those tender seedlings are going out in their trays in the day, and swiftly back in at teatime. It’s spring but not quite full expansion. We sit with this transition time in the liminal space of nidra, and see what insights arise.

In this nidra

The nidra starts with encouragement to be comfortable and settle, so you can press play and then begin lying down. There’s a short reiteration of the theme, a gentle concentration on the breath, guidance to observe the awareness and then the detailed rotation of consciousness which allows the body-mind to drop away.

The awareness is drawn to the breath, very tiny now, like the air that ticks in and out of a dormant seed. Then, the awareness is drawn to the heart centre, and to the ‘seed’ of the heart that contains all the information to grow into the full plant. We water the seed of the heart with a loving gaze, just as the gardener’s loving gaze ensures the crop’s success. What is the growth that is coming up this season? The seed of the heart knows what to do, let it reveal itself.

Then we take the awareness to the light of the third eye, and a rising sun that brings warmth and shines through the whole body to create ideal conditions for growth. We conclude with a journey to the orchard, the softness of the blossom, the buzzing bees burrowing in, and the blue tits bobbing about in the boughs.

Finally, I guide you as you re-externalise your senses and bring your awareness back to your body (but you may have fallen into a deep sleep).

About Yoga Nidra

Nidra means sleep. In yoga nidra you retain awareness while allowing the mind waves to slow to the frequencies of dream and deep sleep. Your system is able to rest deeply while accessing the subconscious…

…unless you actually fall asleep, which can be blissful and needed. With practice, you fall asleep less often.

With practice you can use nidra to enquire about or affirm your path, as has been the case in the visioning and evolution of VG.

Do not listen to this while driving. Ideally, afterwards have a chilled time and some warm herbal tea. Should you be going out, please eat something, maybe have a caffeinated drink, and chat or sing to bring you fully back into your body, mind, and senses.

New to yoga nidra?

If you are new to yoga nidra here is some more information and the first 15 minutes of this recording on Spotify has spoken guidance on preparing for nidra.

Find this half-length nidra, ‘Drop’ recorded live in the Tuesday evening Gentle Online class, ideal for relaxing the body after your yoga or exercise routine. This full length nidra was given on the feast of St Nicholas in December, The Gift.

Read here about The Cave of the Heart.

Join the monthly Friday Night Nidra in rhythm with the seasons live from Viveka Gardens

Let me know what seasonal themes resonate for you with the dates coming up.

If you value the recording, please leave a comment to encourage me and others. You can also buy me a coffee to show appreciation.