What is Yoga Nidra?

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Yoga nidra was devised by Swami Satyananda Saraswati in the early sixties and is a practice and a state of consciousness that exists between wakefulness and sleep. This ancient yogic practice is also known as "yogic sleep,"  and serves as a profound form of meditation that offers deep relaxation.

Yoga nidra is an accessible form of meditation that beginners and experience meditators can enjoy.   Unlike many other meditation practices, you don't need any previous experience in yoga or meditation. Lying down in Savasana, or sitting up supported by cushions for 10 minutes can provide the benefits of meditation, making it highly accessible for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

The traditional practice of yoga nidra (as taught by  Swami Satyananda Saraswati) typically begins with setting an intention or sankalpa, which is a positive statement or affirmation that aligns with your deepest desires and goals. This intention is repeated mentally at the start of the practice.

The next phase involves  body sensing or rotation of consciousness by bringing awareness to different parts of the body which helps guide physical relaxation and releasing tension, breath awareness follows the rotation of consciousness around your body  and then you explore sensations, emotions, and imagery, allowing for a deeper connection with the subconscious mind. 

The practice concludes with a gradual return to wakefulness, bringing awareness back to the present moment.

What are the benefits of practicing yoga nidra regularly?

Complete rest for the physical and mental bodies: Our minds often remain active during sleep and we have crazy dreams or we wake up exhausted after a night of tossing and turning worrying about things we need to do.  Yoga nidra offers a sleep-like state infused with deep awareness. It allows the thinking mind to let go and find rest while maintaining internal clarity and a heightened sense of self-awareness.

Rejuvenating as hours of sleep: A 30-minute session of yoga nidra can be as rejuvenating as 2-4 hours of regular sleep. It provides immediate benefits such as reduced stress and deep relaxation. Practicing  yoga nidra can leave you feeling relaxed and revitalized, making it an excellent choice for an afternoon recharge.

Enhances sleep quality: Yoga nidra is described as a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. By relieving stress and promoting relaxation, yoga nidra positively impacts the quality of sleep, allowing for more restful and rejuvenating night sleep.

The practice of yoga nidra can offer such profound benefits and I love to hear the difference it has made in the lives of the people who practice with me.  

There are other forms of Yoga nidra that use different methodologies which I will explore in other blogs in the future.


Reference

Swami Satyananda Saraswati. (1976). Yoga Nidra. Bihar School of Yoga.


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