iRest Workshops
ABOUT IREST MEDITATION
iRest is meditation practice based on a form of meditation called Yoga Nidra, meaning “yogic sleep.” A typical iRest practice is 35-minutes in length and often practiced laying down. It's delivered through a ten-step protocol that is secular in nature, trauma-informed, infused with teachings from modern psychology, non-dual philosophy, somatic experiencing, and more.
In 2006 the U.S. Department of Defense conducted research at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on the efficacy of iRest to help service members returning from the Global War on Terror better manage symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTS). Since this study, numerous service members, their families, and veterans have benefited from the practice of iRest to relieve PTS, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, insomnia, and more. iRest Meditation has historically been endorsed by the U.S. Army Surgeon General and recognized by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury as a form of complementary and alternative medicine.
“iRest helps me acknowledge my emotions and self-negativity so I can better cope with life’s struggles and daily experiences.”
UpCOMING VIRTUAL SESSIONS
iRest Meditation for Stressful Seasons
Mondays, November 13 - December 18
7:30-9:00pm EST
$22 per session, or $99 for all
Discounts available for military, first responders, and persons in recovery
All sessions will be recorded.
ABOUT IREST MEDITATION FOR STRESSFUL SEASONS
Each session in this six-week series will be 90-minutes in length. The first half of each session will be an interactive learning experience in which participants will be taught skills to help navigate the stress of the holiday season based on the iRest protocols. The second half of the practice will be spent doing a full 35-minute iRest meditation. While the sessions will build on each other, participants are not required to attend all six sessions. However, each session will be recorded and every registrant will receive a copy of the session’s recording which will be available for viewing until January 31, 2024. For more information please see the FAQs and information below.
“iRest Meditation for Stressful Seasons” sessions include:
How Stress + Trauma Effect the Body
November 13 @ 7:30pm EST
Click HERE to book.
In this highly educational workshop you will learn, in a very easy-to-understand way, how stress effects the body and how iRest can help and the “why” behind iRest.
Yes And: Working with Opposite Thoughts
December 4 @ 7:30pm EST
Click HERE to book.
The practice of opposites is explored in many ways throughout the iRest practice. In this session we'll learn how to begin to welcome the opposites of some of our loudest thoughts.
Creating Your Inner Resource
November 20 @ 7:30pm EST
Click HERE to book.
The iRest Inner Resource is a powerful self-regulation tool. In this session we'll playfully begin to create a place that's uniquely yours that you can access when life gets too lifey.
Anthropomorphizing Emotions
December 11 @ 7:30pm EST
Click HERE to book.
What if your emotions were living beings? What would they look like? How would you communicate with them? In the playful spirit of the Pixar film "Inside Out" we'll craft a character of an emotion of your choice and learn how to co-exist.
Listening In: Sensations as Messengers
November 27 @ 7:30pm EST
Click HERE to book.
It's true - your body may be smarter than your brain. Learn why it can be so hard to hear what the body is telling you and practice listening in.
Experiencing Joy
December 18 @ 7:30pm EST
Click HERE to book.
The holidays are the season of joy. (But are they really?) In this session we'll discuss the complexities of this emotion and how to access it, or a part of it, when things get tough.
“iRest gives me a feeling of acceptance so I can move on with life.”
iREST FAQ
Members of the Cincinnati Police Department participate in iRest as part of an O2X Human Performance Workshop.
What do I need to practice iRest Meditation?
Not much! You can do iRest seated or laying down. If you chose to lay down it’s recommended you bring pillows or a bolster to place behind your knees. You may also choose to bring a pillow for behind your head. It’s also recommended you dress warmly and/or bring a blanket as your body temperature will drop during iRest.
I’m concerned about my privacy during the online sessions.
No problem, You can participate in the sessions with your video off and can select a pseudonym when you sign in to Zoom. There is absolutely no need to verbally participate in the discussions. Alli will be able to see your name when you sign up but will address you by the name that appears on your screen.
ALLI’S IREST TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Alli is a Level Two-trained iRest instructor and began teaching iRest to soldiers in the U.S. Army Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii in 2018. The class became the most popular among the unit’s recreational therapy modalities. Since moving from Hawaii, Alli continued to teach iRest in various workshop formats virtually and in person, and an in-patient treatment center for substance abuse recovery, and is an iRest and Yoga Specialist for O2X, an organization founded by two Navy SEALs that provides customized wellness programs for public safety departments, the military, and federal agencies across the United States.
book aN irest workshop or series for your group
If you’re interested in bringing an iRest class or workshop series to your group - in-person or online - please complete the form below.
examples of iRest Workshop Topics Include:
Introduction to iRest Meditation
Discovering Your Heartfelt Purpose
Developing Your Inner Resource
Connecting with Breath
The Body as a Messenger
Anthropomorphizing Emotions
Working with Opposites of Thoughts and Emotions
Experiencing Joy
Alli’s has taught irest classes and workshops to:
The U.S. Army Solider Recovery Care Unit
Those in early recovery from substance use disorder
Tactical athletes such as firefighters, police officers, the U.S. Marshalls, as well as active duty, Guard, and Reserve service members
Civilian populations during the peak of the COVID 19 crisis