It is clear that modern life is busier than ever and people need to find ways to rest and feel better on several levels to stay healthy. Yoga Nidra, also known by the name of yogic sleep, is currently recognized as one of the most efficient ways to relax. It has been derived from the ancient yoga practices. I will start by explaining what Yoga Nidra is, its principles, mechanisms, and potential as a complementary fitness and relaxation practice.What is Yoga Nidra:Yoga Nidra means yogic sleep – relaxation with a conscious mind. However, unlike regular sleep, during Yoga Nidra, you are consciously relaxed to the full report level. It is a type of meditation where the mediator moves through three different levels of consciousness – the waking level, dream level, and dreamless level – with the help of the master. This practice enables you to achieve a deeper state of rest more than a simple power nap or even a restful nights sleep.Yoga Nidra: The Neurobiology of Yogic SleepThe asana of Yoga Nidra involves the parasympathetic nervous system referred to as the ‘rest and digest’ system. When activated, this system negates the stress response by slowing the heart rate, decreasing blood pressure, and lowering the amount of stress hormones in the body such as cortisol.Recent empirical research also suggests that Yoga Nidra is an effective way to manage anxiety, stress, and depression. It can also enhance productivity by bettering sleep, boosting brain performance, and improving moods. Through its ability to trigger deep relaxation, Yoga Nidra gives the body a chance to heal itself thus being an effective approach to holistic health.
It is clear that modern life is busier than ever and people need to find ways to rest and feel better on several levels to stay healthy. Yoga Nidra, also known by the name of yogic sleep, is currently recognized as one of the most efficient ways to relax. It has been derived from the ancient yoga practices. I will start by explaining what Yoga Nidra is, its principles, mechanisms, and potential as a complementary fitness and relaxation practice.
What is Yoga Nidra:Yoga Nidra means yogic sleep – relaxation with a conscious mind. However, unlike regular sleep, during Yoga Nidra, you are consciously relaxed to the full report level. It is a type of meditation where the mediator moves through three different levels of consciousness – the waking level, dream level, and dreamless level – with the help of the master. This practice enables you to achieve a deeper state of rest more than a simple power nap or even a restful nights sleep.
Yoga Nidra: The Neurobiology of Yogic SleepThe asana of Yoga Nidra involves the parasympathetic nervous system referred to as the ‘rest and digest’ system. When activated, this system negates the stress response by slowing the heart rate, decreasing blood pressure, and lowering the amount of stress hormones in the body such as cortisol.
Recent empirical research also suggests that Yoga Nidra is an effective way to manage anxiety, stress, and depression. It can also enhance productivity by bettering sleep, boosting brain performance, and improving moods. Through its ability to trigger deep relaxation, Yoga Nidra gives the body a chance to heal itself thus being an effective approach to holistic health.
The Science and Practice of Yoga Nidra:It is not difficult to learn how to do Yoga Nidra and even beginners can take part in it.Find a Comfortable Position: Mostly this is practiced in the Savasana or corpse position. Lie on your back and keep your arms extended by the sides with the palms facing upwards and hip-width apart. Try using a cushion or even a blanket if sitting can be uncomfortable for you.Set an Intention: This should be preceded by the creation of a Sankalpa which is a positive desire or declaration. This can be a personal statement, ideal, or attitude that a person has adopted. Your Sankalpa is a wish statement that you enter your subconscious mind during the practice.Body Scan: The guide will pose a series of questions that will require you to focus on parts of your body. It assists in easing physical strain and coming up with a state of rest.Breath Awareness: Try to pay attention to your breath; feel and be aware of it coming in and going out. It creates more relaxation and helps in calming the mind.Visualization: One can be involved in several visualizations, for example, envisioning a calm setting or thinking of colors and geometrical figures. These visualizations are good and help the mind to engage deeper in the meditative process.Sankalpa Reinforcement: Near the end of the session you will again perform the Sankalpa meditation but this time you will repeat the Sankalpa to negate it in the subconscious mind.Gradual Return to Wakefulness: It will have you progressively awake and sometimes whisper to you to open your eyes or to move your limbs.A common Yoga Nidra can last from twenty minutes to forty minutes, or at least that is considered the standard duration.
The Science and Practice of Yoga Nidra:It is not difficult to learn how to do Yoga Nidra and even beginners can take part in it.Find a Comfortable Position: Mostly this is practiced in the Savasana or corpse position. Lie on your back and keep your arms extended by the sides with the palms facing upwards and hip-width apart. Try using a cushion or even a blanket if sitting can be uncomfortable for you.
A common Yoga Nidra can last from twenty minutes to forty minutes, or at least that is considered the standard duration.
Benefits of Yoga Nidra1. Deep Relaxation: The deepest level of relaxation can be a strong advantage of Yoga Nidra. It works on the elimination of physical, mental, and emotional tensions enabling an individual to relax and rest in its totality.2. Stress Reduction: Yoga Nidra facilitates the process of relaxation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system; therefore, it has a positive effect on stress and anxiety levels and mental health in general.3. Improved Sleep Quality: Yoga Nidra can improve sleep quality and therefore reduce insomnia practice. Most users claim that they can experience better and deeper sleep.
Benefits of Yoga Nidra
1. Deep Relaxation: The deepest level of relaxation can be a strong advantage of Yoga Nidra. It works on the elimination of physical, mental, and emotional tensions enabling an individual to relax and rest in its totality.
2. Stress Reduction: Yoga Nidra facilitates the process of relaxation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system; therefore, it has a positive effect on stress and anxiety levels and mental health in general.
3. Improved Sleep Quality: Yoga Nidra can improve sleep quality and therefore reduce insomnia practice. Most users claim that they can experience better and deeper sleep.
4. Enhanced Focus and Clarity: The sleep portion of Yoga Nidra improves concentration and is beneficial to the mind. Training the brain to relax while at the same time maintaining awareness can help improve the ability to think and concentrate on work and activities in everyday life.5. Emotional Healing: Yoga Nidra also helps to get rid of deep-rooted feelings and traumatic experiences. It can aid you in dealing with unresolved trauma and help in achieving a balance of your emotions.6. Accessible to All: The other benefit of Yoga Nidra is that it is suitable for all people, young, old, and abled or not. it can be done by sitting anywhere and no physical energy is needed hence it becomes a good de-stress tool for busy people.Introducing Yoga Nidra to Your Practice:Practicing yoga nidra is easy – all you have to do is follow the following instructions.
4. Enhanced Focus and Clarity: The sleep portion of Yoga Nidra improves concentration and is beneficial to the mind. Training the brain to relax while at the same time maintaining awareness can help improve the ability to think and concentrate on work and activities in everyday life.
5. Emotional Healing: Yoga Nidra also helps to get rid of deep-rooted feelings and traumatic experiences. It can aid you in dealing with unresolved trauma and help in achieving a balance of your emotions.
6. Accessible to All: The other benefit of Yoga Nidra is that it is suitable for all people, young, old, and abled or not. it can be done by sitting anywhere and no physical energy is needed hence it becomes a good de-stress tool for busy people.
Introducing Yoga Nidra to Your Practice:
Practicing yoga nidra is easy – all you have to do is follow the following instructions.
Yoga Nidra is one of the simplest and the most effective methods through which we can attain relaxation. Practicing this technique can improve various aspects of your life at the level of mind, body, and spirit. If you want to lower your stress levels, get a better night’s sleep, or simply feel better about yourself, it all comes down to just one practice: Yoga Nidra. Relax, de-stress and rejuvenate your body with the magic of yogic sleep.
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