Yoga Nidra Script: Journey Through the San Juan Mountains

Last week, I had the pleasure of guiding a special Yoga Nidra session during our Yin Yoga and Sound Bath class, focused on embracing the beauty and tranquility of fall in the San Juan Mountains. Today, I’m excited to share the audio recording and the script of that session with you, so you can experience this calming practice anytime.

What is Yoga Nidra?

Yoga Nidra, often called “yogic sleep,” is a guided meditation practice that leads you into a state of deep relaxation and inner awareness. It’s a powerful tool for reducing stress, enhancing sleep, and cultivating mindfulness. During Yoga Nidra, you remain conscious while your body relaxes completely, allowing your mind to access a state between wakefulness and sleep.

Enjoy the Practice

I invite you to listen to the audio recording and follow along with the script - there are two. The second one is recorded. Whether you’re seeking relaxation after a busy day or a mindful moment in nature, this practice is perfect for grounding yourself in the present, especially as we move into the fall season.

Fall Focused Yoga Nidra Script

Yoga Nidra Script: Journey Through the San Juan Mountains (shared recording)

Begin by settling into a comfortable position, lying down on your back. Allow your arms to rest gently by your sides, palms facing upward. Close your eyes softly, and take a deep breath in… and out. Let your body begin to relax, releasing any tension.

Setting Intention (Sankalpa)

Silently repeat your intention for this practice, a positive affirmation or personal goal.

Body Awareness

Bring your awareness to your body. Feel the points of contact with the floor—your heels, your hips, your shoulders. Notice the gentle rise and fall of your chest with each breath.

Visualizing the Journey Begins

Imagine yourself standing at the edge of the San Juan Mountains, a vast and rugged range stretching out before you. Feel the crisp mountain air filling your lungs, invigorating and pure. The sun is shining brightly, casting golden light over jagged peaks and lush valleys.

Walking into the Mountains

Begin to walk along a soft trail, the ground beneath your feet firm yet gentle. Hear the crunch of pine needles and gravel as you step forward. Around you, tall pines and aspens sway in the breeze. The scent of pine and wildflowers fills the air.

Exploring the Landscape

As you continue walking, notice the towering peaks—some crowned with snow, their rugged sides etched with rocky outcroppings. In the distance, see a glistening alpine lake, perfectly still, reflecting the sky and mountains like a mirror.

Feel a sense of awe and connection with this majestic landscape. The mountains stand strong and silent, ancient guardians of the land.

Climbing to a Vista

Gradually, you begin to ascend a gentle slope toward a panoramic viewpoint. With each step, feel your muscles relax and your mind open. Reach the top and take a moment to breathe deeply, soaking in the breathtaking view: valleys winding below, wildflowers blooming in patches, eagles soaring high overhead.

Connecting with Nature’s Stillness

Sit quietly at the summit. Feel the mountain breeze on your skin, the warmth of the sun, the coolness of the shade. Allow yourself to blend with the serenity of the mountains, knowing they are steady and timeless.

Returning from the Journey

When you are ready, slowly descend the trail back to where you began. Feel gratitude for this journey, for the beauty of the San Juan Mountains, and for this moment of peace.

Reintegrating

Begin to bring your awareness back to your physical body. Feel the surface supporting you. Notice your breath, deep and steady. Repeat your Sankalpa softly in your mind.

Closing

Wiggle your fingers and toes, stretch gently if you wish. When you’re ready, slowly open your eyes, carrying the calm and majesty of the San Juan Mountains within you.

Yoga Nidra Script: An Autumn Journey Through the San Juan Mountains

Begin by lying down comfortably on your back. Allow your arms to rest gently by your sides, palms facing upward. Close your eyes softly. Take a deep, nourishing breath in… and exhale slowly, releasing any tension. Feel the surface supporting you, grounding you.

Set an Intention (Sankalpa)

Silently affirm a positive intention for this practice—something you wish to cultivate or acknowledge. Let this seed of intention settle gently in your mind.

Body Awareness

Bring your awareness to your body. Feel the points of contact with the earth—your heels, your hips, your shoulders. Notice any sensations—warmth, coolness, heaviness, lightness. Allow your breathing to deepen naturally, softening your belly and chest with each inhale and exhale.

Visualizing the Fall Landscape of the San Juan Mountains

Entering the Autumn Wilderness

Imagine yourself standing at the edge of the San Juan Mountains in late autumn. It’s a crisp, clear morning. The air is cool and invigorating, carrying a gentle scent of pine, dry leaves, and the earthy aroma of the mountains. The sky is a vast, crisp blue, dotted with a few wispy clouds. Sunlight filters through the changing leaves, casting patterns of gold and amber on the ground.

Walking into the Forest

Begin to walk along a winding trail. Feel the crunch of fallen leaves beneath your feet—leaves in shades of fiery red, burnt orange, and deep gold. The trail is lined with aspen and ponderosa pines; their branches are adorned with bright, fluttering leaves. Hear the rustling as they sway in the breeze.

Notice the vibrant colors surrounding you—reds, yellows, and browns blending into a tapestry of fall. The air is cool but refreshing, filled with the scent of pine, cedar, and the subtle sweetness of ripening berries.

Observing Nature’s Transition

Pause for a moment to observe the trees shedding their leaves, a natural cycle of letting go. Feel the peacefulness in this act of release, symbolizing renewal and change. The landscape is alive with the energy of transformation—beyond the visible, the quiet whispers of the mountain wind carry messages of growth and renewal.

Approaching a Mountain Overlook

Continue your walk upward toward a scenic overlook. The trail becomes steeper, and you notice the crunch of frost underfoot. As you reach the top, you’re greeted with a panoramic view of the mountains—towering peaks cloaked in patches of remaining snow, their rocky faces contrasting with the warm hues of fall foliage below.

Below, the valleys are painted with a mosaic of reds and golds, winding rivers shimmering like ribbons. The mountains stand resilient, their timeless presence grounding your spirit.

Sitting at the Vista

Find a comfortable spot to sit or lie down at the vantage point. Feel the cool breeze on your skin, carrying the scent of pine and crisp mountain air. Take a deep breath, filling your lungs with this pure, invigorating atmosphere.

Allow yourself to feel deep gratitude for this moment of connection with nature’s cycles of change. Reflect on the beauty of transformation—how the mountains shed their snow, the trees release their leaves, and life continues anew.

Deepening the Connection

Embracing the Fall Energy

Visualize the vibrant colors swirling around you like a gentle dance—leaves twirling in the wind, a tapestry of fiery reds, warm oranges, and glowing yellows. Feel a sense of warmth and acceptance in this cycle of letting go, trusting that beneath the shedding lies renewal and growth.

Feel your own thoughts and emotions as fall leaves—sometimes bright and joyful, sometimes shedding old burdens, making space for new beginnings. Embrace this energy of release, renewal, and transformation.

Returning Through the Landscape

Imagine slowly walking back down the trail, the landscape gradually changing as you descend. The colors become softer, the air slightly warmer. Feel the ground beneath your feet, solid and grounding. Notice the sounds—the distant call of a mountain bluebird, the gentle whisper of the wind through the leaves.

As you walk, carry the sense of renewal and acceptance of change within your heart.

Coming Back to the Present

Reintegrating and Reflecting

Begin to bring your awareness back to your physical body. Feel the surface supporting you. Notice the rhythm of your breath—steady and calm. Silently repeat your Sankalpa, your intention, anchoring this sense of renewal and openness.

Waking Up

Gently wiggle your fingers and toes. Stretch your arms and legs softly if you wish. Take a few deep breaths, feeling refreshed and aligned. When you’re ready, slowly open your eyes, carrying the peaceful, transformative energy of your autumn journey with you.

Feel free to revisit this visualization whenever you seek grounding, renewal, or a reminder of the beauty in change. Namaste.

I hope you enjoy this practice and find it nourishing. Please feel free to share your feedback—I’d love to hear how it resonates with you!

Wishing you peace and presence,

Chloé