What is Yoga Nidra?
Yoga Nidra is the practice of relaxation. Where the body moves into a state of complete relaxation but the mind remains active and alert. Yoga Nidra differs from sleep, our natural process of relaxation, by the fact that the mind remains alert and the process is directed by the conscious mind, not the sub conscious, as in sleep.
First we completely relax the physical body, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Then we move deeper and relax the Subtle body, the organs, we slow the breath and heart rate. Deeper again we relax the nervous system, slowing nerve impulses. Then we relax the mind, we slow the thoughts and begin to disconnect from the thoughts. We become a witness to the thoughts, without becoming involved.
The benefits of Yoga Nidra are plentiful and range from better sleep to reduced stress and an overall feeling of wellbeing.
As the body physically relaxes we release muscular tension. Blood flow improves when the muscles are soft. As the muscles release so does the pressure on the Subtle body, the organs can relax, the breathing becomes slow and gentle and the heart rate slows. As we relax the mind the thoughts slow and become less intrusive. We are able to then find a space of calm and quiet where our stress, anxiety and worry disappear.
The practice of Yoga Nidra improves our sleep, and quality of our sleep. It is said that a 30 minute practice of Yoga Nidra is equivalent to a few hours sleep as the body is directed into a relaxed state which often takes hours to achieve in sleep mode. It releases the build up of stress within the body keeping us healthy, allowing our body to work more efficiently. It calms the mind and brings about the realization that we do not have to be dominated by our thoughts, we can begin to decide which thoughts are useful and which ones are not. Then we can make real choices about how we react to the world around us.
Yoga Nidra is one of the most important aspects of yoga and should be practised regularly. It is the step between the physical Asanas and the deeper connection with the inner being through the practice of Meditation. To be able to create an environment that is conducive to Meditation we need to be able to completely relax and detach ourselves from the physical and external sensory world.
With the body completely relaxed we can develop a deeper awareness of the inner self. We direct our thoughts and our awareness to a particular point. Whether this be a focus on the breath, a mantra, or on a resolve that you wish to make, as the mind is more receptive in this relaxed state.
Yoga Nidra can be used for the process of visualisation within the relaxation where we can direct our mind to focus on specific ideas. To find answers to problems, to improve our compassion or forgiveness, or really to make any changes we wish in our life. The practice of Yoga Nidra allows us to be more receptive to these changes.
To move into the deeper exploration of the inner self through meditation we need to be able to create an environment where our guilt, animosity, selfishness and desire for external stimulation are lessened. We do this through focused Yoga Nidra.
It is said that a 30 minute practice of Yoga Nidra is equivalent to a few hours sleep as the body is directed into a relaxed state which often takes hours to achieve in sleep mode.
Yoga Nidra in Savasana