Intuitive Art Creation through Yoga Nidra

How does Yoga Nidra and intuitive art creation connect?

Through the practice of Yoga Nidra we relax the body, mind and spirit, and once in a relaxed state, even subtle tensions we might unconsciously hold can be released without resistance. In this state we can more effortlessly tap into our innate creativity, we can become more focused and absorbed in the process of art making. In this state creativity can flow naturally. In this context art making is used as a means of self-expression and self-understanding, which encourages a natural sense of well-being and wholeness. Thus formal art training is not necessary for these sessions, only an open mind and open heart.

Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra, originating in the Tantric tradition, is a powerful technique that induces complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. Although during the practice, one appears to be asleep, hence it is often called ‘yogic sleep’, the consciousness is functioning at a deeper level: one spontaneously oscillates between the conscious and subconscious states.

Furthermore, the practice is not only relaxing, but it has transformational powers over one’s mental and emotional patterns. Doing Yoga Nidra regularly enables the practitioner to become more connected with the intuitive Self, and to find the answers to ‘problems’ within. It brings us back to the root of creativity. The “opening of the third eye” takes the consciousness beyond the conditioned personality, where one no longer identifies themselves emotionally with the body and the mind, but rests in a state of clear awareness, ānanda. Other common benefits include better sleep, reducing insomnia, increased expression of creativity, detachment from thoughts and mental chatter.

Here you can try out a 35 minute session of Yoga Nidra.

Intuitive art making

We only need to look at nature with its cyclic rhythm to recognise that there is an innate creative potential in all of us. As children, it was instinctive to express ourselves and learn about the world through drawing, colouring or storytelling. But we often have the tendency to lose this need to create or it is pushed into the background by seemingly more pressing matters of adulthood. However, creating art in its various forms can have abundant benefits in our lives.

Through the process of art making we can explore and approach challenges in our lives that relate to body, mind and/or spirit. Especially where words fail to express the complexities of our inner experiences: worries, fears, anxieties, traumas stored in the body. Art making can also be a powerful method of self-understanding and self-expression, and the process itself can be cathartic and thus promote healing. Much like our yoga practice. Why combine art making with yoga?

Our creativity manifests more effortlessly if we are in a relaxed mental, emotional and physical state. And yoga can be an excellent practice to activate the parasympathetic nervous system that brings on deep relaxation, sometimes even a deep meditative state. Yoga Nidra in particular as it induces complete relaxation on all three planes.

So practising Yoga Nidra followed by an art session that encourages spontaneous drawing or painting from within can bring us closer to ourselves, shed light on what needs our attention the most in our lives, and in a more simple, yet spectacular way, it can bring us joy. The joy of creation. We can lose ourselves in the creative process, leaving our worries behind while we are being fully in the moment.

No formal art training is needed for these sessions.