Occasionally referred to as yogic sleep, yoga nidra is a state of conscious deep sleep. When this state of deep consciousness is achieved, you should be able to achieve complete relaxation. During yogic sleep, your conscious, unconscious and subconscious minds work together to meet your physical, mental and emotional needs. Finding the best time to practice yoga nidra depends on your daily schedule and your personal needs.
Identification
Although they seems quite similar, yoga nidra and meditation are actually quite different from one another. During meditation, you remain in an awake state of consciousness as you allow unconscious and subconscious thoughts to enter your conscious mind. In yoga nidra, however, you leave the waking state and move into the deep sleep state of consciousness, yet you remain completely awake and alert through the transition. In yoga nidra, your body and mind are completely relaxed and quiet. Although the body and mind seem to be sleeping, your consciousness remains fully awake in the deep sleep state. In this state, your conscious mind is able to explore the deepest layers of your subconscious and unconscious minds.
Ideal Time
As with meditation yoga and fitness yoga, you should always perform yoga nidra during the time of day that best suits your needs and preferences. For some people, yoga nidra can be an excellent way to refresh the mind at the start of the day. For others, a quick yoga nidra session during the afternoon slump can provide a burst of much-needed energy. Yet others might find yoga nidra to be most relaxing at night, just before bed. To find the ideal time of day for your yoga nidra practice, try switching it up every few days. With a bit of patience and practice, you will find your personal best time for yoga nidra.
Time Frame
Although your own personal preferences are most important, there are still a few factors to consider when planning your yoga nidra schedule. In the beginning, it will likely take you a decent amount of time to successfully achieve yoga nidra. Expect to spend at least 45 to 60 minutes practicing the yogic sleep. Avoid trying to squeeze a yoga nidra session into a hectic schedule; rushing the session can easily result in unsuccessful yoga nidra. As you become more comfortable with the methods, it will likely take you less time to achieve the deep sleep state of consciousness.
Environment
To successfully achieve yoga nidra, your environment must be conducive to peace and relaxation. Practice in a quiet, warm and comfortable room. Although the room does not need to be completely dark, the lighting should be rather dim. Determining the best time for yoga nidra should involve careful consideration of your environment. Although you might be tempted to practice yoga nidra during your lunch break, it will be extremely difficult to do so if you must practice sitting up at your desk surrounded by ringing phones and chattering co-workers.
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