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Series: Evening Journeys

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At bedtime, to fall asleep peacefully.
Technique
Yoga nidra: A journey of attention through the body, lying still, leading into deep rest.

Who is this session for?

This session is designed for those who struggle to quiet their racing mind after a busy day. It is perfect to listen to when you are already in bed, seeking a gentle and safe transition to help you disconnect from your daily thoughts.

How does it unfold?

  1. at the startOpening and settling inThe voice guides you through deep breaths and helps you feel the comforting support of your mattress.
  2. around 1 minBreath awarenessYou are invited to simply observe your natural breathing rhythm without trying to change anything at all.
  3. around 2 minBody scanThe guidance shifts your attention smoothly and continuously through different parts of your body to quiet your mind.
  4. around 4 minOpposite sensationsYou will explore the comforting feeling of physical heaviness combined with the peaceful lightness of your mind.
  5. around 5 minThe mountain lakeYou are guided to visualize a calm lake under a starry sky, where gentle waves wash away your lingering thoughts.
  6. around 9 minSafe descent and anchoringThe voice helps you glide safely toward sleep and introduces a simple physical gesture to anchor this feeling of peace.
  7. around 10 minDrifting into sleepThe guidance slowly fades away, allowing you to seamlessly fall asleep to the gentle sound of the water.

Why does it help you sleep?

This approach helps you fall asleep by keeping your attention gently anchored in the present moment. The continuous body scan prevents your thoughts from wandering back to daily worries, while the imagery of the lake creates a soothing mental rhythm. By experiencing the physical contrast of heaviness and lightness, your body receives a clear signal that it is safe to completely let go.

How to listen

Listen to this recording at a low volume while lying in your favorite sleeping position. You do not need to stay awake until the end, as the goal is to let yourself drift off naturally whenever sleep arrives.

Session published on · a site run by Stéphane H., founder of Alcyonia · description written on

Ambience: Waves, Freesound Community (Pixabay).

Listen somewhere calm, never while driving. This relaxation session does not replace the advice of a doctor or health professional.

Read the session script

Everyone knows that moment when the day ends and the body naturally seeks rest… you are completely safe here, and in full control… you can shift your position at any time to find the most comfort. You can let your eyes close whenever you wish… just allowing the world outside to fade away. Feel your body settling deeply into the mattress… noticing your head, your back, and your legs resting heavily. Let us take a slow, calming breath together. Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your belly to rise softly, and exhale gently, letting everything go…

Take another deep breath in, filling your lungs entirely with fresh air, and as you breathe out, feel your shoulders sinking deeper, allowing your body to soften completely…

And one more time, breathing in deeply, and breathing out completely, releasing any remaining tension from the day, clearing the space for a peaceful and restful night…

Now simply allow your breathing to find its own natural rhythm… without any effort at all. You have absolutely nothing to do… nothing to achieve. Your body already knows exactly how to relax. When you notice your breathing slowing down all by itself… you can simply welcome it. I will gently guide your attention through your body… just let your mind follow easily. Bring your awareness to your right thumb… index finger… middle finger… ring finger… little finger. The palm… wrist… elbow… shoulder… the right side of your chest… hip… knee… ankle… and right toes. Now shift to your left thumb… index finger… middle finger… ring finger… little finger. The palm… wrist… elbow… shoulder… the left side of your chest… hip… knee… ankle… and left toes. Now feel your lower back… upper back… back of the neck… the top of your head… your forehead… jaw… chest… belly… your entire body resting peacefully.

You can notice the heaviness in your right side, or your left side… feeling the pleasant weight of your body sinking securely into the mattress. The heavier your body rests on the bed… the lighter your mind becomes. Feeling both the comforting heaviness and the peaceful lightness… at the exact same time.

As you rest here, you might imagine a quiet mountain lake… resting under a vast, starry sky. The air is fresh… and the water is perfectly calm, reflecting the silver light of the stars. You can hear the gentle sound of the waves quietly lapping against the shore… a steady, comforting rhythm. With every sound of the waves you hear, you drift a little further away from the day. Each wave that retreats pulls away a thought… leaving your mind as clear as the midnight sky. If any thoughts remain, just let them float by like leaves on the water… carried away by the gentle current, disappearing into the distance.

Imagine a smooth, beautiful stone gently slipping beneath the surface of the lake… descending slowly and safely through the perfectly clear water. It glides downward, deeper and deeper… completely safe… until it settles softly on the deep sandy bottom. And as it settles so deeply, you can just… let go… and allow yourself to… rest deeply. You can gently press your thumb and index finger together for a moment… creating a small, silent anchor of peace. Whenever you listen to this session, your body will remember the way, and this simple gesture can bring you right back to the tranquility of this starry lake tomorrow.

The day is completely behind you now… it is finished. This deep rest is quietly restoring your energy for tomorrow. If sleep comes, simply let it come… and if you just rest here, this peaceful relaxation is more than enough.

Drifting further and further into deep comfort… allowing the starry night to watch over you…

And remember, if anything needs your attention tonight, you will instantly be fully present…

Just resting… deeply and quietly…

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