“To say the iRest Level 1 Training is a meditation teacher training, for me, simply doesn’t do it justice. I’ve seen over and over again how iRest has completely transformed people’s lives - mine included. It gave me an absolute perspective shift, a reset, and transformed the way I relate to myself, to life, and to everyone around me”
Una Hubbard, BA - Certified Yoga Teacher, Certified iRest Teacher
Learn How to Integrate iRest Yoga Nidra into Your Life
iRest is a simple and accessible form of meditation designed for modern day living. The iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation Level 1 Teacher Training is designed to provide you with the basic principles, history, theory, practice, and delivery of iRest. It teaches you how to incorporate the simple yet profound 10-step iRest protocol into your life, your yoga teaching, and/or your clinical practice.
The 10 Step iRest Protocol is derived from ancient practices and principles of Yoga Nidra and the yogic nondual wisdom teachings of meditation. It is simple to learn, easy to practice, and is designed to help you meet, greet, and respond to each moment of your life with a sense of equanimity and well-being. This special protocol can be used in a variety of settings, including yoga environments; physical therapy, massage therapy, social work, clinical, and medical establishments; alternative or integrative medical practices; and in-job training and job resiliency programs.
Richard Miller, Developer of the iRest (Integrative Restoration) approach to meditation
This Program is for You If:
- You have an interest in studying yoga nidra but don’t have time to commit to extensive study hours.
- You want to learn how to incorporate your yoga practice into your modern day life.
- You want to learn how to react to situations in life with equanimity and well-being rather than fear and anxiety.
- You work in physical therapy, massage therapy, social work, clinical or medical establishments and feel there’s something missing from your practice.
- You want to learn the skills needed to work 1:1 to educate others about meditation.
- You want to learn how to take your practice from the mat into your daily relationships
As a Level 1 iRest Teacher, you will be eligible to:
- Use the designation “iRest L1 Teacher” in advertising and promotional materials and when delivering iRest in public and professional settings.
- Be listed on the IRI website as having completed the iRest Institute’s iRest Level 1 Training.
- Post your personal profile on the iRest website, listing yourself as a “Level 1 iRest Teacher.” This posting will allow people who are seeking iRest group or individual sessions in their local area to find your name and view your qualifications as an iRest provider.
- Attend in-person Level 1 Trainings at a reduced rate.
- Utilize private mentoring with IRI Certified Mentors (additional fees apply).
- Access the valuable “iRest Teacher Resource Webpage” to download iRest teaching materials and professionally designed promotional brochures, flyers, and more!
- Join the iRest “Teachers Community Network” (TCN) (additional fees apply).

Meet Your Teachers

Richard Miller
Richard is a world-renowned spiritual teacher, author, yogic scholar, researcher and clinical psychologist, who has combined traditional yogic practice with Western psychology and neuroscience. He is committed to bringing the healing benefits of iRest to all segments of our population. In addition to founding the iRest Institute (originally named The Integrative Restoration Institute), Richard was also the co-founder of The International Association of Yoga Therapy and founding editor of the professional Journal of IAYT. Richard has authored books and developed a variety of iRest related products that can be viewed and purchased here.

Stephanie Lopez
Stephanie Lopez, LISW-S, C-IAYT, is the Senior Director of Teachings & Programs, and a Senior iRest Trainer for iRest Institute. With a deeply embodied understanding of meditation informed by over 25 years of immersion in the nondual teachings of yoga, she leads retreats and trainings internationally with a focus on living an authentic and awakened life. As a psychotherapist, meditation teacher, and certified yoga therapist, she bridges Eastern wisdom with Western psychology and neuroscience to support healing and transformation. Stephanie also serves on the Certification Committee for IAYT helping to promote standards and credentialing for the yoga therapy field.

This training introduces you to the principals, practices, and historical background that underlie iRest Yoga Nidra as a comprehensive path of meditation.
You’ll learn:
- Eastern and Western psycho-spiritual perspectives that form the foundation of iRest Yoga Nidra.
- Background information on how iRest is drawn from a 38 stage map of meditation that integrates the philosophies of Samkhya, Patanjali, Advaita, and Unqualified Nondual Realization.
- About the evidence-based research showing the efficacy of iRest and its use with various psycho-physical issues and populations.
- How to understand iRest as a comprehensive approach to meditation.
- Guidelines regarding the teacher-student relationship and ethical considerations.
- How to work one-on-one with people in what we call “iRest Co-Meditation Dyads.”
- An introduction to the common language that is used in iRest meditation.
Enroll Now, and Dive into Studying Today.
With unlimited course access, you can take it at your own pace.
- Level 1 Teacher Training.
- 30 Hours to Complete.
- Become a Level 1 iRest Teacher. Use this in your advertising, promotional materials, and be listed on the iRest website.
- Unlimited Course Access. Revisit the course even once you complete it.
- Take At Your Own Pace.
- Scripts and checklists to help you start teaching right away.
- Homework assignments and quizzes to keep you on track.
- Access to a Facebook group where you’ll be able to interact with others who are taking the training.
The goal of this training is to help you take the teachings of iRest beyond your on-the-mat
practice and into your daily life, relationships, teaching, and every challenging circumstance
you may find yourself in over the course of your life.

Hear What Others Are Saying…
Course Outline
- Opening Ritual and Introductions
- Overview of iRest Level 1 Online Training (Part 1)
- Overview of iRest Level 1 Online Training (Part 2)
- What is Yoga Nidra and What is iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation? (Part 1)
- What is Yoga Nidra and What is iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation? (Part 2)
- What is Yoga Nidra and What is iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation? (Part 3)
- What is Yoga Nidra and What is iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation? (Part 4)
- Understanding iRest Steps 1-3: The Three Resolutions (Sankalpa)
- On Being
- Setting up for an iRest Yoga Nidra Practice
- iRest Practice 1: Experiencing the Three Resolutions (Sankalpa)
- Understanding iRest Step 4: Annamaya Kosha
- iRest Practice 2: Experiencing Annamaya Kosha With Autogenics
- Core Principles 1: Welcoming, Messengers, Myth of Change
- Elevator Pitches 1: 38-Stage Process of Meditation
- Understanding iRest Step 5: Prāṇāmaya Kosha
- iRest Practice 3: Experiencing Prāṇāmaya Kosha
- Core Principles 2: Self-Inquiry, Devotion, Non-Judging, Always Doing Our Best
- Elevator Pitches 2: iRest as Mindfulness
- Teaching iRest With Groups and Individuals 1
- Orientation to Teaching iRest Using the 1st Group Teaching Script: Annamaya
- Teaching iRest With Groups and Individuals 2: Co-Meditation (Part 1)
- Teaching iRest With Groups and Individuals 2: Co-Meditation (Part 2)
- iRest Co-Meditation Dyad Demo With Worksheet: Annamaya Kosha
- iRest Co-Meditation Dyad Demo Debriefing: Annamaya Kosha
- Understanding iRest Step 6: The Manomaya Kosha
- iRest Practice 4: Experiencing Manomaya Kosha
- Core Principles 3: Disidentification versus Dissociation and Welcoming Opposites
- Core Principles 4: Six Practices for Meeting, Greeting, and Proactively Responding
- Elevator Pitches 3: Direct and Progressive and Constructive and Deconstructive Paths of Meditation
- iRest Practice 5: Experiencing Opposite Emotions
- Teaching iRest With Groups and Individuals 3
- Orientation to Teaching iRest Using the 2nd Group Teaching Script: Manomaya
- Teaching iRest With Groups and Individuals 4
- iRest Co-Meditation Dyad Demo With Worksheet: Manomaya Kosha
- iRest Co-Meditation Dyad Demo Debriefing: Manomaya Kosha
- Understanding iRest Step 7: The Vijñānamaya Kosha
- iRest Practice 6: Experiencing Vijñānamaya Kosha
- Core Principles 5: Revelation and Concealment
- Elevator Pitches 4: iRest as a Neuroscience Training Program
- Teaching iRest With Groups and Individuals 5
- Orientation to Teaching iRest Using the 3rd Group Teaching Script: Vijnanamaya
- iRest Co-Meditation Dyad Demo With Worksheet: Vijnanamaya Kosha
- iRest Co-Meditation Dyad Demo Debriefing: Vijnanamaya Kosha
- Understanding iRest Step 8: The Anandamaya Kosha
- iRest Practice 7: Experiencing Anandamaya Kosha
- Core Principles 6: Working With Imagery and Inherent Qualities of Essential Nature
- Elevator Pitches 5: Awakening to Essential Nature
- iRest Practice 8: Imagery and Inherent Qualities of Essential Nature
- Core Principles 6: Working With Imagery and Inherent Qualities of Essential Nature
- Elevator Pitches 5: Awakening to Essential Nature
- iRest Practice 8: Imagery and Inherent Qualities of Essential Nature
- Core Principles 7: Law of Awareness and Habituation
- Elevator Pitches 6: Map of Meditation as Four Symphonic Movements (Part 1)
- Elevator Pitches 6: Map of Meditation as Four Symphonic Movements (Part 2)
- Teaching iRest With Groups and Individuals 6
- Orientation to Teaching iRest Using the 4th Group Teaching Script: I-ness
- Teaching iRest With Groups and Individuals 7
- iRest Co-Meditation Dyad Demo With Worksheet (With Richard): Stream Entry
- iRest Co-Meditation Dyad Demo Debriefing (With Richard): Stream Entry
- iRest Co-Meditation Dyad Demo With Worksheet (With Stephanie): Stream Entry
- iRest Co-Meditation Dyad Demo Debriefing (With Stephanie): Stream Entry
- Understanding iRest Step 10: Sahaj, Our Natural State of Being
- iRest Practice 10: Experiencing the Complete Practice of iRest
- Teaching iRest With Groups and Individuals 8: iRest for Trauma
- Teaching iRest With Groups and Individuals 9: Bringing iRest Into the World
- Teaching iRest With Groups and Individuals 10: Group Dynamics
- Teaching iRest With Groups and Individuals 11: Permissions, Ethics, Scope of Practice
- Teaching iRest With Groups and Individuals 12: Next Steps
- iRest Practice 11: Calm Abiding
Eligibility for Continuing Education Credits…
For Yoga Therapists, Yoga Teachers, and Health Professionals



“From my first class to the ongoing trainings, the gentle, embracing teachings provided me with the tools to embark on my own fulfilling meditation practice. Once I felt the power of the practice for myself, all I wanted to do was share it with others. I’ve chosen to work with U.S. veterans, which has been one of my most rewarding experiences”
Mary S - Certified iRest Meditation Teacher
iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation Course



FAQ’s
iRest is a meditation practice based on the ancient tradition of Yoga Nidra and adapted to suit the conditions of modern life. When practiced regularly, iRest can enable you to meet each moment of your life with a feeling of unshakable peace and well-being, no matter how challenging or difficult your situation.
iRest offers practices for everyone, whether you are a lifelong meditator or have never tried meditation before. The practice of iRest starts as a guided meditation but over time iRest teaches you how to skillfully use tools that help you meet each moment of your life with unshakable peace of mind—on and off your meditation cushion. To try iRest you don't need to do anything complicated. Just take a moment to find a comfortable position—either seated or lying down. You can listen to the meditation with your eyes open or gently closed.
Required reading: the first chapter of your manual and Yoga Nidra: A Meditative Practice for Deep Relaxation and Healing by iRest Founder Richard Miller. Recommended reading: The iRest Program for Healing PTSD: A Proven-Effective Approach to Using Yoga Nidra Meditation and Deep Relaxation Techniques to Overcome Trauma by Richard Miller.
There are no prerequisites for this training. It is designed for all levels, whether you have experience with iRest, yoga, and meditation or not.
No! This training was designed for everyone. It’s suited for those looking to start or enhance their personal meditation practice and those looking to include a new offering in their professional work. Beyond yoga environments, iRest is used in physical therapy, massage therapy, social work, clinical, and medical establishments; alternative or integrative medical practices; and in-job training and job resiliency programs.
Completion of this Level 1 Training does not make you a Certified iRest Teacher. Becoming fully certified is a separate, comprehensive process which includes attending an in-person Level 2 Training. More information about the next steps will be included with your course material content. iRest Level 1 teachers can begin delivering iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation in public and professional settings and use the title iRest Level 1 Teacher in advertising, promotional materials, and official channels. You’ll also be listed on the iRest website as an iRest Level 1 Teacher and can post your personal profile there, allowing people who are seeking iRest group or individual sessions to find you as a qualified provider.
Yes! iRest strongly encourages that all current iRest Level 1 Teachers retake the training online to get a refresher on the teachings, practice, and delivery of iRest. Plus, with the online training, you’ll have lifetime access to course content.