Floating on a Dream

When I attended Yoga Nidra for the first time, I had only a vague idea of what to expect. I knew I would be suspended in a hammock, cocooned inside a dimly lit salt room, and guided into a deep state of relaxation for an hour. It felt like an invitation to leave my stresses at the door and surrender to some much-needed me time.

What I didn’t anticipate was just how comfortable I would be, how deeply aware of my body I’d become, or how effortlessly I would drift toward sleep. For someone who struggles to nap during the day, this came as a genuine surprise.

Yoga Nidra originated in ancient India and has been practiced worldwide for centuries. At Buoyant Sea in Warragul, sessions are held once a week and led by instructor Narelle Lockwood.

Narelle gently encouraged the six of us participants to resist the urge to fall asleep as she guided us through breathwork, visual imagery, and subtle body awareness. The aim was to quiet the mind and activate the parasympathetic nervous system- the part of the body responsible for rest, repair, and healing.

The body surrenders to profound rest while awareness remains clear, present, and expansive. While I managed to stay focused under Narelle’s calming guidance, a soft snore echoing from somewhere in the room suggested I wasn’t the only one fighting sleep.

This deeply restorative state is known as yogic sleep.

‘It’s completely normal to drift in and out of awareness, there’s nothing to do except allow your body to relax and be carried,’ Suzanne Allen, owner of Buoyant Sea, said.

Suzanne explained that Yoga Nidra in the salt rooms was designed to allow the nervous system to truly rest, while fine salt particles are softly dispersed into the air. The experience combines Yoga Nidra with halotherapy to support breathing and relaxation.

Suzanne said that there were certain medical conditions may make halotherapy unsuitable. ‘If you’re unsure, it’s best to have a chat with your healthcare provider.’

At Buoyant Sea, sessions are held every Thursday at 6.45pm and are open to anyone aged 16 and over, regardless of prior yoga experience.

‘No experience is necessary, and Narelle will help participants into their hammocks if needed,’ Suzanne said. ‘You do, however, need enough mobility to walk into the centre.’

In addition to Yoga Nidra, Buoyant Sea offers float tanks, salt rooms, and infrared saunas. Yoga Nidra sessions are held weekly. For more information or to book, visit www.buoyantsea.com.au or call 5622 1847 between Thursday and Monday from 10am.