Yoga Nidra Training

While most forms of yoga include meditation, yoga nidra involves a much deeper state of meditative relaxation, or deep sleep, while you remain conscious. Yoda nidra teacher training classes are available in countries such as the United States, Australia and Europe. Several training methods prepare you for certification in yoga nidra including iRest, Amrit and Ashram. Though training practices may vary, yoga nidra training overall provides you with the competence to effectively promote the spiritual well-being of others.

Schools and Methods

Three of the most prominent yoga nidra training schools are the Integrative Restoration Institute, the Amrit Yoga Institute and Ashram Yoga. The Integrative Restoration Institute, a nationally-recognized training organization located in California, offers instruction in iRest, or integrative restoration, which aims to relieve pain and suffering by discovering "the essential completeness of life." The Amrit Yoga Institute in Florida teaches the Amrit method, which includes instruction in spiritual healing. Ashram Yoga, primarily located in New Zealand, teaches the Ashram method in both New Zealand and the United States. Ashram Yoga is a Yoga Alliance registered teaching school -- the United States' primary accreditation school for yoga teachers. Ashram yoga nidra includes learning about prana, or the healing life force.

Integrative Restoration Method

Training in iRest, or integrative restoration, at the Integrative Restoration Institute requires three progressive levels. Level one involves the basic foundation, history, theory and practice of iRest yoga nidra. Level two includes enhancing understanding of Eastern and Western psycho-spiritual perspectives through meditation and participating in advanced group and one-on-one practice sessions. Demonstrating competency in group and individual training sessions, during level three, can lead to certification as an iRest teacher. Session lengths can range from three days -- as in level two -- to two years for certification.

Amrit Method

Certification at the Amrit Yoga Institute requires completing two parts of yoga nidra professional training over 12 days. Part one aspects include helping you understand yoga nidra as a meditative, spiritual and stress-reducing practice, according to the Amrit Yoga Institute. During part two, you receive coaching to competently present three different yoga nidra practices for three dissimilar populations. Part two also provides six weeks of yoga nidra lesson plans and teaches you how to promote the benefits of yoga nidra to diverse populations.

Ashram Method

Ashram yoga nidra, from Ashram Yoga, involves three training courses which give you an opportunity for 200 to 500 hour accreditation by the Yoga Alliance. Courses offered include shorter more intense sessions as well as those lasting for five to six months. Level one teaches the initial stages of the yoga body position called asana, movements, breathing techniques and meditation. Then, it progresses systematically to more advanced stages, according to the Ashram Yoga website. Level two deepens and expands previous part-one concepts and studies body energy. After level two, you can enhance your understanding of spiritual manifestation, during level three.

Expense

Yoga Nidra training courses vary in tuition from hundreds to thousands of dollars. For instance, Ashram Yoga has offered two-day courses for levels one and two at $350 each, while a more extensive level-two course can cost around $2,450, as of 2010. A level-two iRest course, from the Integrative Restoration Institute, can cost around $1,300, and a level-three course about $1,800. In addition, roughly $3,000 will cover both sessions of Amrit yoga training.