Deep Rest: How Yoga Teachers Can Guide Relaxation Techniques

A complete guide to teaching deep rest: from yogic wisdom to modern science, practice, and personal presence.

What you'll learn

Teach a variety of effective relaxation techniques with clarity and confidence.

Understand the principles and benefits of deep rest in the context of yoga.

Integrate relaxation practices into different phases of a yoga class.

Guide students into a relaxed state using clear verbal cues and supportive techniques.

Create a calm and safe space for deep rest and nervous system regulation.

Explore the philosophical foundations of relaxation based on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

Requirements

A basic background in yoga teaching or training is recommended.

No prior experience with guiding relaxation is required.

A quiet space and a notebook for reflection or practice notes may be helpful.

An open mind and willingness to explore inner stillness.

Description

Are you a yoga teacher who wants to guide your students beyond movement—into deep rest, presence, and inner stillness? This course offers a comprehensive and grounded approach to teaching relaxation within the context of yoga.You’ll explore the foundations of rest from both yogic philosophy and modern science, discovering how relaxation is not merely a technique—but a powerful state that supports healing, resilience, and nervous system balance. Through a mix of theory and guided practice, you’ll learn how to facilitate breath-based relaxation and Yoga Nidra with confidence and clarity. We’ll explore the physiology of the relaxation response, the role of the teacher’s voice and presence, the structure of effective sessions, and how to create a safe space for deep rest. The course includes recorded practices, teaching tips, and downloadable resources to support your own development and your students’ experience.By the end of the course, you’ll not only have a set of effective tools—you’ll also have a deeper understanding of how to hold space for stillness, rest, and inner connection in your yoga classes.This course is for you if you want to:Expand your skills as a yoga teacher beyond asanaOffer meaningful and accessible relaxation in your classesUnderstand the science and philosophy behind restLearn to hold safe, calm, and grounded spaceDeepen your own experience of rest and presence

Overview

Section 1: Introduction to the Course: Relaxation Techniques for Yoga Teachers

Lecture 1 Introduction to the Course

Lecture 2 Welcome to the Course

Lecture 3 What You Will Learn

Lecture 4 How To Use This Course

Lecture 5 What si Relaxation?

Lecture 6 A Yogic Approach to Relaxation

Lecture 7 Why Learn to Relax Consciously?

Section 2: Understanding Relaxation through Yoga Philosophy

Lecture 8 The Goal of Yoga According to Patanjali

Lecture 9 Relaxation from the Yogic Perspective

Lecture 10 Raja Yoga and the Eight Limbs

Lecture 11 The Eight Limbs

Lecture 12 Pratyahara

Lecture 13 Introduction to Pratyahara

Lecture 14 Why Relaxation Matters in Yoga Practice

Lecture 15 Inner vs Outer Practice – Transitioning from Asana to Stillness

Section 3: The Science of Relaxation

Lecture 16 From Tension to Calm: A Scientific Perspective

Lecture 17 Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System

Lecture 18 Stress Response vs Relaxation Response

Lecture 19 Brainwave States

Lecture 20 Why Deep Relaxation Heals – Mind-Body Connection

Section 4: Relaxation in Yoga Classes

Lecture 21 Teaching Relaxation in Yoga Classes

Lecture 22 How to Integrate Relaxation into a Yoga Class

Lecture 23 Relaxation Before, During, and After Asana Practice

Lecture 24 The Phases of Guided Relaxation-1. Entering Relaxation

Lecture 25 The Phases of Guided Relaxation-2. Relaxation State

Lecture 26 The Parts of Guided Relaxation

Lecture 27 The Phases of Guided Relaxation-3. Returning from Relaxation

Lecture 28 Key Benefits of Relaxation Practices for Students

Lecture 29 Setting the Environment for Deep Rest

Section 5: Relaxation Positions

Lecture 30 Why Relaxation Positions Matter

Lecture 31 Savasana position

Lecture 32 Savasana – Benefits

Lecture 33 Savasana – Contraindications

Lecture 34 Savasana - Self Practice

Lecture 35 Savasana – Modified Version

Lecture 36 Savasana Modified Version - Self Practice

Lecture 37 Side-lying relaxation pose

Lecture 38 Supported reclining pose (e.g. Supta Baddha Konasana)

Lecture 39 Supported reclining pose (e.g. Supta Baddha Konasana) - Self Practice

Lecture 40 Child’s pose (Balasana)

Lecture 41 Child’s pose (Balasana) - Self Practice

Lecture 42 Child’s pose (Balasana) – with bolster

Lecture 43 Child’s pose (Balasana) – with bolster, Self Practice

Lecture 44 Crocodile pose (Makarasana)

Lecture 45 Crocodile pose (Makarasana)

Lecture 46 How to choose the right relaxation position

Lecture 47 Key principles for relaxation positions

Section 6: Relaxation Techniques You Can Use

Lecture 48 Overview of Relaxation Techniques

Lecture 49 Breath-Focused Relaxation

Lecture 50 Breath-Focused Relaxation – When & How to Use It

Lecture 51 Breath-Focused Relaxation - Self Practice

Lecture 52 Breath-focused Relaxation

Lecture 53 Point-by-Point Muscle Relaxation

Lecture 54 When & How to Use It

Lecture 55 The Sunlight Technique

Lecture 56 When & How to Use It

Lecture 57 The Sunlight Technique-Self Practice

Lecture 58 Body Scan

Lecture 59 When & How to Use It

Lecture 60 Body Scan-Self Practice

Section 7: Yoga Nidra-Yoga Nidra: The Deepest Relaxation Technique

Lecture 61 Yoga Nidra

Lecture 62 Body Scan-Self Practice

Lecture 63 Yoga Nidra

Lecture 64 Yoga Nidra Yogic Sleep

Lecture 65 Sankalpa

Lecture 66 Sankalpa-The Power of Intention

Lecture 67 Dream Big

Lecture 68 Benefits of Yogic Sleep

Lecture 69 Physical & Physiological Benefits

Lecture 70 Mental & Emotional Benefits

Lecture 71 Setting Up for Yoga Nidra

Lecture 72 Structure of Yogic Sleep 8 Phase

Lecture 73 8 Phases of Yoga Nidra

Lecture 74 Settling & Intention

Lecture 75 Rotation of Consciousness (Body Awareness)

Lecture 76 Awareness of Breath

Lecture 77 Feelings and Opposites

Lecture 78 Visualization

Lecture 79 Repetition of Sankalpa

Lecture 80 Externalization / Returning Awareness

Lecture 81 Integration / Rest in Stillness

Lecture 82 Duration of Yoga Nidra

Lecture 83 Tips for Teaching Yoga Nidra

Lecture 84 Your Guided Yoga Nidra

Lecture 85 Your Guided Yoga Nidra - Self Practice

Section 8: Integration Relaxation Into Your Teaching

Lecture 86 Integration Relaxation Into Your Teaching

Lecture 87 How to Integrate Relaxation into Your Teaching

Lecture 88 Adapting Techniques for Different Students

Lecture 89 Adapting Relaxation Techniques for Different Timeframes

Section 9: Self-Care for Teachers

Lecture 90 Self-Care for Yoga Teachers

Lecture 91 Self Care Matters

Lecture 92 Self-Care for Teachers: Practice What You Teach

Lecture 93 Bringing Relaxation into Your Life and Teaching

Lecture 94 Suggested Downloads

Section 10: Namaste and Next Steps

Lecture 95 Namaste and Goodbye

Yoga teachers who want to deepen their understanding of relaxation and bring more calm, clarity, and rest into their classes.