As a Yoga Therapist, I believe that iRest is a key component in the healing/wellness toolbox.  I remember writing a paper early in my yoga therapy studies at LMU on the importance of teaching mindfulness techniques to students in addition to other yogis techniques. With my iRest certification I am even more certain of the value and importance of this self inquiry modality! 

 

After taking an MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) training for myself a few years ago, I studied and became certified to teach MBSR to teens. I worked at a private high school for 5 years incorporating yoga, mindfulness, and iRest. I continue to offer meditation and full iRest practices at a community college and include the practice with my private yoga therapy clients. My private clients are primarily adults over 50 with a few young adults/teens periodically. I plan to continue to offer MBSR-teen 8-week programs and am offering periodic iRest group sessions in my neighborhood and in collaboration with a women's wellness center. 

 

I am a parent of two college students and have been married for 22 years. I love to play beach volleyball, take long walks on the beach, and travel.

 

The most significant experience or change I have become aware of as a result of the certification process is that EVERYTHING is iRest yoga nidra. I view all of life's interactions, my self experience, and how I interact with others through the lens of the koshas and with a sense of welcoming and curiosity. Working with my supervisor was a gift and I am grateful to Kathleen Knipp for her patience and attentiveness. Thank you to Richard Miller and all the IRI support staff for spreading the love! 

 

Rachel Hanrahan - Victoria, Australia 

 

I am so thrilled to be certified as an iRest teacher. There were times I thought I wasn’t going to make it, but with support from my mentor, Ross Guest, and the beautiful teachings here I am on the other side.

My journey with iRest began in 2002, when I began my first yoga teaching certification with Leigh Blashki in Australia. Trying to immerse myself in all things yogic teaching during the early days of the internet, I “surfed” and found an ok quality 10 minute yoga nidra by Richard Miller on feelings. I loved yoga nidra and I listened so much to that track, that the CD I burned it on eventually stopped working. Unbeknownst to me, I wasn’t simply relaxing, I was experiencing such profound healing of my PTSD that I no longer experienced any symptoms. I made peace on all levels of my being and didn't need to talk talk talk about the trauma to another person to heal. It was like, in an intellectual sense, I understood I am no longer under threat, but the body was keeping the score. After this immersion in iRest, I experienced healing in an embodied sense not just an intellectual understanding.

Based in Melbourne, Australia I have been teaching iRest to PTSD students as part of a trauma recovery yoga program. I feel so very blessed to be able to share these beautiful teachings. And I am both thrilled and proud that I can now add the little green iRest logo after my name.