The Practice That Changed Everything: How Yoga Nidra Became My Sanctuary

In my personal healing journey — through trauma, betrayal, motherhood, and ultimately, profound transformation — I’ve discovered that not all rest is created equal. There is rest that simply pauses the chaos, and then there is rest that repairs you on a cellular, emotional, and energetic level.

For me, that deeper form of rest revealed itself in Yoga Nidra — a practice that now lives at the heart of my personal rituals and my coaching work inside The Mindful Edit.

✦ What is Yoga Nidra?

Often called yogic sleep, Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation technique designed to bring the body into a state of deep physical relaxation while the mind remains gently aware. It’s not sleep, yet it invites the nervous system into the same healing brainwave states associated with deep, restorative rest.

During a session, you lie comfortably (often on your back, supported by cozy blankets and bolsters), while a facilitator guides you through breath awareness, body scans, visualizations, and intention-setting. The practice allows the conscious mind to gently recede while your subconscious opens — creating fertile ground for both deep rest and profound healing.

✦ Why Yoga Nidra is a Sanctuary for Trauma Survivors

As someone who has survived unimaginable trauma — from the years of abuse and gaslighting in my relationships to the well-publicized criminal case that thrust my private life into a media storm (Buzzfeed News) — I’ve lived with the lingering imprint that trauma leaves on the nervous system. The hypervigilance. The sleepless nights. The racing mind. The inability to fully exhale.

Trauma is not just a psychological experience — it lives in the body. The nervous system becomes stuck in states of chronic fight, flight, or freeze, long after the danger has passed. And this is where Yoga Nidra offers something uniquely powerful.

Research has begun to validate what many trauma survivors experience firsthand: Yoga Nidra offers measurable relief from the symptoms of PTSD and complex trauma.

• A 2011 study published in Military Medicine found that veterans with PTSD who practiced Yoga Nidra (iRest protocol) reported significant reductions in anxiety, depression, insomnia, and emotional reactivity.

• A 2018 review in Current Psychology noted that Yoga Nidra helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, reduces hyperarousal, and supports the integration of traumatic memories in a non-threatening, safe way.

• Neuroimaging studies have shown that Yoga Nidra may enhance activity in brain regions responsible for emotional regulation, while calming the amygdala — the part of the brain that perceives threat.

✦ How I Integrated Yoga Nidra Into My Rituals

When I first discovered Yoga Nidra, I was postpartum, exhausted, and still carrying layers of unprocessed trauma. Traditional meditation felt inaccessible — my mind too restless, my body too tense. But Yoga Nidra invited me to simply lie down and listen. No pressure. No perfection.

At first, I practiced guided recordings for just 20 minutes before bed. I noticed my sleep began to deepen. My anxiety softened. My breathing slowed.

Over time, Yoga Nidra became not just a relaxation tool, but a cornerstone of my nervous system regulation:

• In the morning, short 15-minute sessions grounded me before beginning my day.

• In the evening, longer 30-40 minute sessions signaled my body into deep parasympathetic restoration.

• During high-stress periods, Yoga Nidra offered a way to reset my internal state without numbing or dissociating — something trauma survivors deeply need.

✦ The Sweetest Gift: Reclaiming Safety in My Own Body

For survivors, the body can often feel like the scene of the crime — a place where pain was held, suppressed, or ignored. But Yoga Nidra gently helps to reclaim the body as a sanctuary once more. Without forcing anything, it invites the nervous system to release stored tension, retrain safety pathways, and restore trust in one’s own being.

Today, I not only practice Yoga Nidra personally — I also guide many of my coaching clients through this profound practice as part of their custom healing plans. The combination of mindfulness coaching, somatic practices, and Yoga Nidra has become one of the most effective, elegant, and nurturing ways I help other women reclaim themselves.

Because ultimately, healing isn’t about erasing the past. It’s about learning to live with grace, softness, and resilience in the aftermath.

And that, truly, is one of the sweetest things.

To learn more about how I integrate Yoga Nidra and mindfulness into my coaching programs, explore my private coaching offerings here.

My Experience with Superpower Health: A New Standard in Personalized Wellness

In a world overflowing with one-size-fits-all health advice, I recently discovered something refreshingly bespoke: Superpower Health — and it may just be my new not-so-secret weapon for elevated wellbeing.

As a busy single mother, trauma survivor, and founder of The Mindful Edit, my approach to wellness is deeply intentional. I know that true healing isn’t about quick fixes — it’s about addressing the body and mind with precision, care, and a touch of luxury. That’s exactly what Superpower Health delivered.

The Experience: Concierge Wellness, Delivered to My Door

The process began with an experience that felt equal parts spa-like and medically sophisticated: a licensed phlebotomist arrived at my home for a professional blood draw. No crowded waiting rooms, no rushed appointments — just personalized, on-demand care in the comfort of my own space. For someone balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, this level of convenience felt like a gift.

Two days later, my comprehensive blood panel results arrived, revealing an intimate snapshot of my body’s current state: micronutrient levels, hormone balance, inflammation markers, metabolic health — all the information I need to optimize my wellbeing.

The Custom Action Plan: Precision Meets Practicality

Roughly five days after my labs came in, I received my fully customized action plan from Superpower’s concierge clinical team. This wasn’t another generic “eat healthy and exercise more” recommendation. It was a highly tailored roadmap that honored both my physiology and my lifestyle — and reflected the integrative, trauma-informed approach I hold dear.

Here’s a peek at some of the standout recommendations my clinician provided:

✦ Daily Nutrition Guidelines

• Balanced Meals: 3 beautifully composed meals a day, with optional snacks — no rigid intermittent fasting.

• Clean Proteins: Pasture-raised eggs, wild fish, organic chicken, tempeh, lentils.

• Colorful Non-Starchy Veggies: At least 2 cups per meal — vibrant, nourishing, anti-inflammatory.

• Smart Carbs: Think quinoa, wild rice, squash, berries — nutrient-rich, hormone-supportive.

• Liver-Supportive Foods: Cruciferous vegetables, beets, dandelion greens, lemon — for optimal detox pathways.

• Prebiotic & Fermented Foods: To nourish gut health and support my nervous system.

• Targeted Hydration: ½ my body weight in ounces of water daily, with trace minerals for cellular hydration.

✦ Lifestyle & Behavioral Foundations

• Sleep Rituals: Fixed wake-up times, morning light exposure, screen-free wind-down routines — all designed to regulate my circadian rhythm and restore my nervous system.

• Movement: While I’ve always loved cardio and walking, my plan introduced light resistance training to support muscle tone and metabolic health.

• Nervous System Regulation: Daily breathwork, Yoga Nidra (which I personally practice and teach), gratitude journaling — small rituals with profound impact.

• Environmental Detox: Dry brushing, Epsom salt baths, and a clean beauty overhaul to minimize endocrine-disrupting toxins.

Why This Approach Resonated

As a mindfulness coach, trauma survivor, and mother, I’ve learned that healing happens in layers. Superpower Health’s approach recognizes that true wellness is never simply physical. The mind-body connection, adrenal support, nervous system care, and environmental factors are all seamlessly woven into their protocols.

This experience felt like a deeply supportive conversation with my own body — one that honored my history, my hormones, my stress, and my season of life. Rather than guessing, I now have a clear, data-driven plan to continue my journey toward vibrant health.

The Sweetest Takeaway

If you're seeking elevated, concierge-level care that moves beyond superficial advice and into the realm of true personalization, Superpower Health offers a stunning new standard. For those of us who have walked through trauma, motherhood, or simply the complexities of modern life — this kind of holistic, data-driven care is not just helpful, it’s healing.

Because the truth is: the sweetest things happen when we finally listen to what our bodies are asking for — and answer with grace, precision, and intention.

If you’d like to explore more about my healing journey, mindfulness coaching, and rituals for elevated living, you can explore my offerings here at The Mindful Edit.

Terra Palm Springs: A Chic Desert Escape for the Ultimate Reset

If you’re looking for a place that blends effortless luxury with wellness and a touch of that understated sophistication, let me introduce you to Terra Palm Springs, the desert oasis you didn’t know you needed. Nestled in the heart of Palm Springs, this boutique resort is equal parts chic, serene, and restorative, making it the perfect getaway whether you’re craving a little self-care or a stylish escape.

Staying in the Terra House: Spacious, Stylish, and So Comfortable

For my stay, I checked into the Terra House, which felt like my own private desert retreat. The space was beautifully designed, with a large kitchenette (perfect for keeping my wellness drinks chilled) and a sprawling patio that became my go-to spot for slow mornings and golden hour lounging. The outdoor dining area and lounge chairs made it easy to enjoy the warm desert air without ever having to leave my room.

And let’s talk about the bed—heavenly doesn’t even begin to describe it. Think plush, cloud-like comfort that made it nearly impossible to get up in the morning. To top it all off, the bathroom was stocked with Le Labo Santal 33 toiletries, filling the space with that signature warm, woody scent. Every little detail at Terra is designed for relaxation, and trust me, it shows.

Elevated Hospitality: Thoughtful Touches & Wellness-Focused Vibes

From the moment I checked in, I knew this wasn’t your average resort experience. The staff at Terra were incredibly warm and welcoming, making sure every detail was just right. Upon arrival, I was greeted with a refreshing wellness beverage, which was exactly what I needed after the drive in.

And then there’s the pool. A serene, sun-drenched escape with comfortable loungers, calming desert views, and an atmosphere that made me want to spend all day basking in the stillness. The pool bar’s wellness cocktails were next level—some infused with marine collagen for that added beauty boost. Sipping one of these while soaking up the sun? Absolute perfection.

Spa Rituals & Relaxation Spaces Worth Staying In For

One of the highlights of my stay was experiencing Terra’s immersive rain shower room and Himalayan salt sauna—a total reset for the mind and body. I could have spent hours here, just letting the steam and soothing ambiance work their magic.

But the real standout? The Dry Herbal Powder Lymphatic Detox treatment at the spa. This treatment was deeply relaxing and rejuvenating, combining herbal powders and gentle massage to detoxify and exfoliate my skin. I left feeling lighter, glowing, and completely reset.

Why Terra Palm Springs Is the Ultimate Desert Retreat

Terra Palm Springs is where wellness meets effortless luxury, all wrapped up in a stunning, minimalist desert aesthetic. From the thoughtful hospitality to the rejuvenating spa experiences and dreamy accommodations, every detail is designed to make you feel refreshed and inspired. Whether you’re planning a solo escape, a romantic weekend, or a wellness retreat with friends, this is the spot.

Now excuse me while I start planning my next visit—because once you experience Terra, you’ll never want to stay anywhere else in Palm Springs.