Yoga Nidra & Restorative Practices Teacher Training

Established 2026

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Anahata Yoga Retreat

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Purpose

A professional development course for yoga teachers, health and education professionals and those interested in guiding relaxation techniques. Explore tools to assist in the release of deep muscular, mental and emotional tension.

What to expect

16 days onsite, shared accommodation (unless camping), all meals and the full programme, followed by a 3-month training package with course work including MP3 practice undertaken at home.

Daily Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga and Breathing practices

Understanding the techniques of Yoga Nidra, Diaphragmatic Breathing & Restorative Yoga from a practical and theoretical point of view, the science behind the techniques; relaxation response, the nervous system, the Vagus nerve, brain plasticity, the breathing organs and more

Exploration of building resilience, better sleep patterns, the adrenal glands and more

Immersion into the yoga lifestyle

Self-reflection tools

Teaching Theory, including class and course planning, teaching to different needs, contra-indications, client support, teaching practical’s, use of voice and much more.

SWAN practice

Fire Ceremony (Havan) and Chanting (healing sound vibration)

The opportunity to develop your inner awareness, train the mind and bring balance to the nervous system

Mentored teaching practice

Audio files, PowerPoints, resources, videos and other inspiring content for your personal practice

Student manual

A certificate of completion at the end of the training from Anahata Yoga Retreat

Style/Lineage

Join us at Anahata Yoga Retreat for an in-person 16 day residential Yoga Nidra & Restorative Yoga teacher training. A total of 150 hours covering theory, applications & learning to instruct Yoga Nidra, Basic Breathing Methods & Restorative Yoga. All-inclusive of training sessions, a comprehensive manual, online content, food & accommodation

Additional Information

Core competencies

By the end of this program, graduates will be able to…

Teaching Skills	Create a fully developed sequential course outline that integrates Yoga Nidra, BBM, and restorative practices across a defined time period for a specific student group. Design and deliver a fully guided Yoga Nidra session that demonstrates mastery of all stages, adapted for a specific student group or setting. Create a client-centered BBM plan that addresses specific environmental and personal needs, supported by relevant research and textbook evidence.
Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics	Create a Yoga Nidra session design aligned with the principles of pratyahara, developing alpha, theta, and delta states with clear teaching cues for each transition. Design a program that uses Yoga Nidra, restorative postures, and Basic Breathing Methods to address chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation in a specific student population. Create a BBM session that addresses specific client needs, such as anxiety or fatigue, by drawing on respiratory anatomy and breathing research. Design a class sequence that intentionally cultivates vagal tone through the combined use of Yoga Nidra, BBM, and restorative practices. Lead a structured body rotation sequence during a guided Yoga Nidra practice, modifying pace, vocal tone, body part awareness, order, and instructional clarity to specific population of students.
Practice Skills	Apply sleep hygiene strategies, such as an evening review practice, Yoga Nidra, and breath practice to personal routines as part of a balanced yogic lifestyle. Design a multi-week restorative course that progresses systematically, incorporates peak practices, and accounts for venue, timing, and student goals. Describe how hatha yoga asana practice prepares the body and mind for the internalized states cultivated in Yoga Nidra and pranayama. Apply chanting practices by participating in morning chanting, Havan, and Kirtan as components of the training program.
Yoga History & Theory	Create a fully sequenced Yoga Nidra script that integrates all stages (including internalization, body rotation, breath, sankalpa, opposites, and visualization) in a way that meets the needs of a specific student group. Apply pratyahara techniques, in a systematic way, to guide students into a witness state. Analyze the psychological and physiological reasons why sankalpa is most effective when introduced at the threshold between waking and sleep states and guide students through development of sankalpa Design a complete opposites and visualization segment that integrates scientific rationale with creative, culturally sensitive imagery. Design a philosophical framework that connects Yoga Nidra theory to a cohesive class theme or course intention.
Lifestyle & Ethics	Analyze a client situation to determine the most appropriate professional response, taking into account scope of practice, cultural sensitivity, and student well-being. Analyze personal experiences of Yoga Nidra and BBM practice to identify observable changes in stress response, sleep quality, and emotional regulation. Analyze the relationship between habitual lifestyle patterns and the quality of relaxation, sleep, and meditative depth experienced in Yoga Nidra.
Business Skills	Analyze the needs and motivations of prospective students to tailor program offerings and outreach strategies for different community contexts. Evaluate the appropriateness of a Yoga Nidra application plan for a specialized population, considering contraindications, ethical scope, and practical implementation. Identify the professional credentials, insurance requirements, and organizational memberships relevant to establishing a Yoga Nidra teaching practice.

AYC allows each school to state and evaluate the competencies each student acquires. Students rate how well the program delivered them.

Program Emphasis

Evaluation methods

Program evaluations

Students will be evaluated through a combination of written/oral exams, project submissions, and direct observation

AYC Evaluations

AYC also requires the following experience for Level 2 Yoga Teacher badges:

4+ years teaching experience
sessions taught per year

More about AYC levels

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Program Faculty

Featured Faculty

Karma Karuna Saraswati

Sw. Karma Karuna is a IAYT Yoga Therapist, Somatic Trauma Therapist and writer trained in the Bihar School of Yoga lineage with 30 plus years of experience, specialising in Yoga Nidra, Nervous System Balance, Women's Health, Yoga Psychology and daily life applications.

anahata-retreat.org.nz

Clifton, Tasman Region, NZ