What is Integrative Restoration?Integrative restoration, or iRest for short, is based on the ancient teachings of meditation and is an evidence based transformative practice that leads to psychological, physical and spiritual healing and wellbeing. It is based on the practice of yoga nidra.
Yoga nidra loosely translates as yogi's sleep. It is referring to a state of consciousness found in the space between asleep and awake called the hypnogogic state. This is the place where great realisations, revelations and healings can reach us. iRest has been developed over the past twenty-six years by Richard Miller, PhD, a clinical psychologist, with 40 years experience, and a yogic scholar. It encompasses a meditative protocol that is deeply rooted in both modern western and ancient eastern sciences and is uniquely suitable for beginner and adept alike. In June of 2010, iRest was endorsed as a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). What to ExpectiRest programs are typically taught as a guided meditation in which we are invited to follow various enquiries. No content is suggested we work with what arises. The student maintains control of their experience throughout and is given the resources to be with everything that arises. Students can expect to lie down or sit comfortably during the practice which typically includes:
Spiritual Aspects of iRestWe have an innate yearning to be seen and heard, to connect and belong. Each of us is born with all that we need to live a happy and fulfilled life. We are designed to learn through play and creativity. As young children we developed our sense of ‘ego’ our sense of separateness or individuality. We are educated by the outside world, as we are judged or shamed, that we are not OK as we are, something is wrong with us, leaving us feeling unlovable or unworthy. We identify with things that are outside of us and look outside of ourselves for the things we need to be truly fulfilled. As adults most of us are seeking for that sense of wholeness, of true happiness. Trying to find the words to write the story of who we are and what our purpose is.
iRest offers us a process of working with the feelings, emotions, thoughts and beliefs that limit us so we might dis-identify from them. It helps us create a safe place to explore all of the banished parts of ourselves that are waiting to be listened to. Bringing about a new awareness of our true selves.Taking us to a place where we can discover who we really are and what we are really about. To uncover our purpose in life from the level of our heart, free from the conditioning of what we think we should be doing.
Working with this process helps us develop an ability to remain awake to our true nature, not just in our practise but also in our everyday lives. Our limiting beliefs, assumptions, expectations and misperceptions dissolve. We are able to live in a more authentic life. This sees stress, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and addictions fade away as we begin to find a safety, security and trust in ourselves that we had forgotten was there. This is a progressive path, each time we sit and practice iRest we are adding to our well of understanding. |
How Integrative Restoration Helps
Demonstrated in research findings see below for more details How Integrative Restoration WorksiRest is integrative, in that it heals the various unresolved issues, traumas, and wounds that are present in the body and mind. It is restorative in that it aids its practitioners in recognising their underlying peace of mind that is always present amidst all changing circumstances of life.
It provides you with the tools to help you relax deeply, release stress, increase resilience, improve your inter and intra personal relationships and a greater sense of ease in everyday life. Scientific Aspects of iRestOur nervous and visceral systems are wired together for detecting danger and initiating defensive strategies that are UNCONSCIOUS to enhance our chances of survival.
The first level is the Dorsal Vagal Complex (DVC) and gives rise to the ‘freeze’ or ‘play dead’ response. When the DVC engages we can feel like the bottom has dropped out of our world, like all is lost. It plays a major part in trauma. The second level is the Para Ventricular System (PVS) which calls up our ‘fight or flight’ response in our Amygdala. It initiates the release of stress hormones and changes out physiology so we are prepared to fight or fight for our lives. Our hearts race, our stomach twists, we fill with anticipation and rage, our senses are keyed to sense even the slightest change in our environment. The third level is the Ventral Vagal Complex (VVC) which is our ‘social interaction’ system which allows for subtle and instant physiological changes in response to social behaviours. In our modern lifestyles the threats we may perceive now are not actually life threatening but the brain and body still react in the same way. Our stress responses are often activated many times a day which can give rise to the general adaptive syndrome. This sees our overall health declining as our bodies maintain a constant and unnatural state of arousal without the required recovery. More information can be found at:
Research findings cane be found at:
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