Yoga Nidra Teacher Training
A training dedicated to the practice, understanding and teaching of Yoga Nidra — exploring its roots, structure and different elements while experiencing the practice for yourself.
We’ll explore the history and philosophy of Yoga Nidra alongside modern understandings of attention, the nervous system and states of consciousness. Through practice, theory and teaching experience, you’ll learn how to structure and guide Yoga Nidra practices with greater understanding, rather than simply following a script.
There will be plenty of time to experience Yoga Nidra yourself, explore different approaches and develop your own way of sharing the practice.
Next Course: 2027
The Space Belleville, Paris
20 hours
In-person training
Taught in English, with discussion and support in French
20-hour training · Paris · 525€
Full training details and pricing at the bottom of the page.
THE SPACE ACADEMY
More than sleep
Yoga Nidra is often described as a relaxation practice, but there is much more to explore beneath the surface. Throughout the training, we’ll look at where the practice comes from, how it has developed and the different elements that can form part of a Yoga Nidra.
We’ll explore states of consciousness, attention and awareness alongside the nervous system, breath and the experience of moving between wakefulness and sleep. You’ll experience different approaches to Yoga Nidra and begin to understand how elements such as body awareness, breath, opposites, visualisation and Sankalpa can be used within a practice.
Rather than learning one script or fixed formula, the aim is to understand the practice deeply enough to begin creating and guiding Yoga Nidra in your own way.
20%
Origins & History of Yoga Nidra
Exploring where Yoga Nidra comes from, how the practice has developed, its philosophical roots and the different influences that have shaped the Yoga Nidra we practice today.
20%
Understanding the Structure
Breaking down the different stages of a Yoga Nidra practice and understanding their purpose — from settling and rotation of consciousness to breath awareness, opposites, visualisation, Sankalpa and the return from practice.
20%
Yoga Nidra Practice
Experiencing different approaches to Yoga Nidra yourself, exploring states of consciousness, body and sensory awareness, breath, imagery, opposites and the relationship between wakefulness and sleep.
20%
Creating Your Own Yoga Nidra
Learning how to move beyond prepared scripts and create your own practices, working with language, sensory imagery, themes, visualisation, Sankalpa and different ways of guiding awareness through the body.
15%
Teaching Practice
Developing the practical skills to guide Yoga Nidra, including voice, pacing, silence and transitions, with opportunities to teach, observe, receive feedback and develop confidence in your own way of sharing the practice.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Understanding the structure
Yoga Nidra is made up of a series of elements that gradually guide attention through different experiences. We’ll break down the structure of a practice so that you understand not only what comes next, but the intention behind each stage.
We’ll explore settling and preparation, Sankalpa, rotation of consciousness through the body, breath awareness, sensations and pairs of opposites, imagery and visualisation, before looking at how we gradually bring awareness back towards the body and waking state.
Rather than treating this as a rigid formula, we’ll look at how the different elements relate to one another, which elements can be adapted or omitted, and how understanding the structure gives you the freedom to create Yoga Nidra practices of different lengths, themes and intentions.
Origins & Development of Yoga Nidra
Explore the origins of Yoga Nidra, the meaning of the term and the traditions and practices that have influenced the way it is understood and practiced today.
We’ll look at earlier references to Yoga Nidra within yogic traditions before exploring the development of modern Yoga Nidra and the different approaches that have emerged. This gives us context for a practice that is often presented as though it has always existed in its current form.
We’ll also consider the philosophical ideas that sit behind the practice, while distinguishing these traditional frameworks from contemporary scientific explanations of sleep, attention and the nervous system.
Understanding the Structure of Yoga Nidra
Break down a complete Yoga Nidra practice and explore the purpose of its different elements, rather than simply learning a script or sequence by heart.
We’ll look at preparation and settling, Sankalpa, rotation of consciousness through the body, breath awareness, sensations and pairs of opposites, sensory imagery and visualisation, before exploring how awareness is gradually brought back towards the body and waking state.
You’ll experience different ways of working with these elements and explore why they are used, how they relate to one another and how the structure can change between practices. The aim is to understand the framework well enough to make considered choices rather than feeling that every Yoga Nidra needs to follow one fixed formula.
Teaching Yoga Nidra
Explore the practical skills involved in guiding Yoga Nidra, including voice, pace, repetition, silence, language and the way we hold space while students move through the practice.
We’ll look at how to give clear guidance without continually filling the space with words, how to avoid telling students what they should be experiencing and how to leave room for individual responses. We’ll also consider the transition into and out of Yoga Nidra and the importance of allowing enough time for students to arrive, settle and return.
Throughout the training, you’ll have opportunities to guide different elements of Yoga Nidra as well as the practices you create yourself. Through teaching, observation and feedback, you’ll gradually bring together your understanding of the structure, your writing and your own way of sharing the practice.
HOW THE TRAINING WORKS
Learning Yoga Nidra through practice, study and experience
The training takes place in person in Paris, combining Yoga Nidra practice, theory, discussion, writing and teaching experience.
Rather than studying Yoga Nidra only as a structure to memorise, we’ll move between learning about the practice and experiencing it for ourselves. We might explore states of consciousness before practicing, break down a particular element before experimenting with different ways of writing it, or experience several approaches before considering how we might guide them ourselves.
Throughout the training, you’ll experience different Yoga Nidra practices, study their structure, write your own material and gradually begin teaching. There will be plenty of space to practice, ask questions and develop your own understanding and voice as the training progresses
TRAINING DATES
A weekend of REST
Dates to be announced
THE TRAINING IN PRACTICE
From experiencing Yoga Nidra, to guiding
Throughout the training, you’ll move between experiencing Yoga Nidra yourself, studying its different elements, writing your own material and practising how to guide others.
You’ll work individually and with others to explore rotations of consciousness, Sankalpa, opposites, sensory imagery and visualisation, experimenting with language, voice, pacing and silence as you begin creating your own practices.
Teaching practice is integrated throughout, giving you time to try different approaches, observe others, receive feedback and refine your work. By the end of the training, you’ll have experienced the process of developing a Yoga Nidra from its initial structure through to writing and guiding the complete practice.
WHO THIS TRAINING IS FOR
A training for everyone
This training is designed for yoga teachers who want to understand Yoga Nidra more deeply and learn how to create and guide their own practices.
It is also open to practitioners who want to explore Yoga Nidra for their own practice and understanding, whether or not they intend to teach afterwards.
You don’t need previous experience teaching Yoga Nidra to take part. Some experience of yoga and meditation is helpful, alongside a willingness to experience the practice, explore its history and structure, and participate fully in the practical and theoretical parts of the training.
YOUR TRAINING TEAM
Louise Cutler – Lead Trainer
Experience rooted in practice, study and teaching
Louise has been teaching yoga since 2013 and training teachers since 2018. Yoga Nidra has become an important part of both her own practice and her teaching, alongside meditation, pranayama and slower, more introspective approaches to yoga.
Her approach combines respect for the philosophical and historical roots of Yoga Nidra with curiosity about contemporary understandings of attention, the nervous system and states of consciousness. Rather than presenting these different perspectives as interchangeable, she encourages students to explore them with context and curiosity.
Throughout the training, Louise places particular emphasis on understanding the practice rather than simply reproducing existing scripts — giving you the tools to experiment with language, imagery, structure and silence, and gradually develop your own way of creating and guiding Yoga Nidra.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Simple, transparent pricing
The full price of the Yoga Nidra Teacher Training is 525€.
A deposit is required to confirm your place, with the remaining balance due 14 days before the training begins.
The training fee includes the full 2.5 days of in-person training in Paris, your training manual and course resources, all yoga equipment used during the course, assessment and your The Space Academy certificate following successful completion of the training requirements.
CERTIFICATION
Bringing your learning together
Assessment takes place after the training has come to an end. You will need to submit a practical Yoga Nidra exam, giving you the opportunity to bring together what you have learned during the course and demonstrate your understanding of the practice.
The emphasis is on bringing the different elements together — understanding the choices you make, creating a coherent practice and developing your own voice rather than reproducing a script you have been given.
Following successful completion of the training and assessment requirements, you’ll receive your Yoga Nidra Training certificate from The Space Academy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A few things you might still be wondering
A Yoga Nidra training can bring up practical questions — from previous experience and what the training involves to assessment, certification and how you’ll be able to use what you learn afterwards. Here you’ll find answers to some of the questions we’re asked most often.
Do I need to be a yoga teacher to take part?
No. The training is open to everybody. If you intend to teach Yoga Nidra professionally, however, you will probably need a 200-hour yoga teacher training certificate in order to do so.
Do I need previous experience of Yoga Nidra?
No previous experience of Yoga Nidra is required, although it’s suggested. Some experience of yoga or meditation is helpful, but we’ll explore the practice from its foundations before gradually moving towards creating and teaching your own Yoga Nidra.
Will we study the history and philosophy of Yoga Nidra?
Yes. We’ll explore the origins and development of Yoga Nidra and some of the traditional ideas that inform the practice, including states of consciousness and AUM. We’ll distinguish these philosophical frameworks from contemporary scientific understandings rather than presenting them as the same thing.
Will I learn how to write my own Yoga Nidra?
Yes. This is an important part of the training. You’ll learn how to work with the structure of Yoga Nidra and create your own rotations of consciousness, sensory imagery, pairs of opposites and visualisations, as well as exploring Sankalpa, language, timing and transitions.
Do I need to write or memorise a script to teach?
You’ll learn to create your own written practices, but the aim isn’t to memorise a script. We’ll explore how understanding the structure gives you greater freedom to develop and guide practices in your own voice.
Will we practice teaching?
Yes. Teaching practice is integrated throughout the training. You’ll have opportunities to guide different elements of Yoga Nidra and eventually bring them together into a complete practice, with observation and feedback.
How is the training assessed?
Assessment takes place after the training has come to an end. You will need to submit a practical Yoga Nidra exam, allowing you to bring together what you have learned during the course and demonstrate your understanding of the practice.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Following successful completion of the training and its assessment requirements, you’ll receive a Yoga Nidra Training certificate from The Space Academy.
20-HOUR YOGA NIDRA TEACHER TRAINING
Deepen your experience
Explore Yoga Nidra beyond the script — understanding its origins, structure and different elements before learning how to create and guide practices of your own.
Through practice, study, writing and teaching experience, you’ll develop a deeper relationship with Yoga Nidra and the confidence to share it in your own voice.
Join us in Paris for our next Yoga Nidra Training in 2027.
Have a question before applying? You can use the same form to get in touch — we’re happy to talk things through with you.
