Although yoga Nidra translates from Sanskrit as "yoga sleep," you actually remain awake and fully aware in this active form of deep relaxation. Yoga Nidra takes you beyond both the waking state and the dreaming state into a state of deep sleep, where you consciously turn your attention inward into stillness, quiet and simply being.
History
Developed and popularized throughout the world by Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati, who opened India's Bihar School of Yoga in 1963, yoga Nidra is mentioned in ancient Tantric scriptures as a traditional form of meditation. In the "Mandukya Upanishad," the deep sleep state called "prajna" is the conscious awareness of yoga Nidra. The goal of yoga Nidra, as taught by ancient sages, is to help purify the mind and alter the deep impressions that inform our actions, or karma. In his book "Yoga Nidra," Swami Satyananda writes, "A single hour of yoga Nidra is as restful as four hours of conventional sleep."
Preparation
The practice of yoga Nidra takes place in Savasana. Also known as Corpse Pose, this consists of lying comfortably on your back with your arms and legs naturally spread out and your eyes closed. Here, you set an intention, or "sankalpa," which translates as "your highest truth," or the deepest desire within your heart. By bringing attention to this desire throughout your practice, you connect with it on a deeper level.
The Practice
After your teacher relaxes you in Savasana and asks you to set your sankalpa, he calls your attention to 61 specific points throughout your body, which captures your attention and keeps your mind from wandering. Then, you focus on your breathing and count your inhalations and exhalations backward, starting from 27 and working back to 1. If you lose count, you start again from 27. Next, the instructor names different images for you to visualize.
Benefits
The practice of yoga Nidra helps to induce calmness and clarity, reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, aid in sleep, awaken your senses, improve your mood and concentration, develop intuition and creativity and readjust your way of thinking. At Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., a Specialized Care Program for service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan includes yoga Nidra classes twice a week to help offset the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Member Comments