GUIDED MEDITATION: Yoga Nidra AKA Yogic sleep: Relaxing body scan

YOGA NIDRA | GUIDED MEDITATION, DEEP REST & RELAXING BODY SCAN Exhausted, but finding it difficult to properly switch off? Perhaps your body feels tired whilst your mind keeps going, or you're craving rest but struggling to settle enough to actually take it. Yoga Nidra – sometimes described as "yogic sleep" – is a guided relaxation practice that invites you to become still and gradually move your awareness through the body. In this gentle guided meditation, Kelly leads you through a relaxing body scan, giving you an opportunity to pause, rest and notice different areas of your body without needing to change or achieve anything. Despite its name, you don't need to fall asleep. You may remain awake throughout, drift in and out of awareness or fall asleep completely. There is no "right" way to experience the practice. The aim isn't to force your body to relax or empty your mind. Instead, allow yourself this time to stop doing and simply rest. IN THIS PRACTICE 🧘 Settling into a comfortable resting position. 🌿 Slowing down and arriving in the practice. 💛 Guided awareness through different areas of the body. ✨ A gentle, progressive body scan. 🌸 Creating space for stillness and rest. 🤍 Gradually returning your awareness to your surroundings. BENEFITS OF THIS PRACTICE 🌿 Provides an opportunity for intentional rest. 💛 Encourages gentle body awareness. ✨ Offers a low-demand practice when you're physically or emotionally tired. 🌸 May support relaxation and settling before sleep. 🤍 Gives you permission to pause without needing to achieve anything. HOW TO USE THIS PRACTICE ✔ Choose somewhere you feel comfortable and supported. ✔ Lie down or choose another position that works for your body. ✔ Use pillows, cushions or blankets if helpful. ✔ Keep your eyes open if closing them doesn't feel comfortable. ✔ If your mind wanders, you haven't done anything wrong. ✔ Pause or stop whenever you need to. If you fall asleep, that's OK too. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT KELLY Kelly Thistlethwaite, BSc (Hons), is Co-Founder of FLY Mama, a Trauma-Informed Matrescence Coach, Perinatal Yoga and Breathwork Teacher, and Nervous System Education and Regulation Specialist. Kelly supports women through pregnancy, birth, motherhood and difficult reproductive experiences using coaching, breathwork and trauma-informed practices. Explore Kelly's current work: 🔗 https://linktr.ee/kellythistlethwaite SAFE CLINICAL GUIDANCE Yoga Nidra and body-awareness practices can feel relaxing for some people, but focusing internally or becoming very still may feel uncomfortable for others, particularly following trauma or difficult experiences. You remain in control. Keep your eyes open, change position, move your body, focus on your surroundings, pause or stop if needed. If you are pregnant, choose a comfortable position appropriate for your stage of pregnancy and follow any individual positioning advice provided by your maternity healthcare team. Do not use this practice whilst driving or during any activity that requires your full attention. This meditation is for general wellbeing and does not replace individual medical, psychological or therapeutic care. LIABILITY & ARCHIVED CONTENT STATEMENT This video forms part of the FLY Mama Legacy Library and was originally recorded while the FLY Mama platform was live between 2020 and 2026. The information was created in good faith and, to the best of our knowledge, reflected appropriate evidence and professional guidance at the time. This content is for educational and general wellbeing purposes only and does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Healthcare guidance may change, so please seek appropriate professional advice for your circumstances. FLY Mama, Kelly Thistlethwaite, Michelle Norton-Hughes and individual contributors accept no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from participation in or reliance upon this content. MUSIC NOTICE Some sessions may include background music captured naturally during filming. This music is incidental and remains the property of the original copyright holders.