By Julia Beauregard
Hometown Weekly Editor
Recently, the Friends of the Westwood Public Library (WPL) hosted yoga instructor Susie Masters. Masters is a E- R.Y.T (500) ,YACEP certified yoga instructor who came to the WPL to guide locals through a Yoga Nidra practice, welcoming guests to come and enjoy an evening of reflection and rejuvenation. Guests of all ages came to enjoy this practice, as Yoga Nidra is accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.
Yoga Nidra, often referred to as "yogic sleep," is a state of conscious relaxation that guides practitioners into a state between wakefulness and sleep. The practice originated from ancient yogic traditions and is designed to induce a deep state of relaxation while maintaining a trace of awareness. Unlike traditional meditation or asana practices, Yoga Nidra is typically performed lying down.
During this hour Yoga Nidra practice, Masters guided practitioners through a journey through their bodies and deep into their subconscious minds. The theme for this specific guided meditation was exploring winter, through “repair and reflection,” as Masters had informed the class. The idea was that Masters invited all guests to reflect upon the previous year, as this one had only just begun, so they were able to repair these wounds before moving forward into this New Year.
As the hour began, guests laid down in a comfortable position to start this relaxation practice.
Masters began by inviting all attendees into their bodies by hyper-focusing on different body parts. Guests grew their own awareness of their bodies and their breathing, allowing them to enter a state of total relaxation.
From there, Masters asked that all guests create an intention for the rest of this practice; an intention they could reflect upon and revert back to throughout the duration of the meditation.
Masters had written a script that was, according to the WPL website: “inspired by what is going on in the natural world around us and the seasonal path that we experience within ourselves.”
The guided meditation moved forward to reflect upon a winter's journey to a local library. The group members were able to find a book about their lives from the previous year, allowing them to reflect upon all of the trials and tribulations they experienced throughout 2023. After feeling these emotions, Masters invited the group to release these feelings.
After the group completed their reading of this metaphorical book, Masters called for the guests to pick up another book; the book of 2024. It was empty. She directed each person to mentally imprint their intention upon this book to help them build the foundation for the upcoming year.
The theme of "repair and reflection" resonated throughout the session, offering participants a unique opportunity to delve into their subconscious minds and contemplate the past while setting intentions for the future. As guests immersed themselves in this journey of self-discovery, Master's thoughtful guidance provided a serene space for reflection and rejuvenation.
The Friends hopes to host Masters each season for a unique and reflection journey throughout the rest of the year.
