Yoga is a discipline characterized by mental and physical exercise. According to the American Yoga Association, the word "yoga" translates into "to join or yoke together" and means bringing mind and body together into harmony. There are different types of yoga that stress different aspects of yoga techniques and disciplines, including hatha yoga, which focuses on physical postures and breathing techniques. Nidra yoga is characterized by a deep state of relaxation. While sleep generally rejuvenates the body, nidra yoga is meant to provide a deeper, more complete rejuvenation of mind and body.
History
Nobody knows the precise time frame during which yoga was introduced, but it predates written history, according to the American Yoga Association. Stone carvings in the Indus Valley depict yoga positions and have been dated as being 5,000 years old or older. Because yoga was a practice passed down from mentor to student, today's formal techniques are the compilation of thousands of years of collective experiences.
Significance
Because of the relaxation and rejuvenation that comes with the meditative practices of nidra yoga, it has been used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in soldiers returning from the battlefield. According to The Washington Post, the Specialized Care Unit at Walter Reed Hospital treats about 120 service members annually with the nidra yoga program. The director of the program called the results overwhelmingly positive.
Features
Yoga generally is built on the structures of exercise, breathing techniques and meditation. According to an abstract at ScienceDirect.com, nidra yoga is characterized by depressing mental levels of desire for action. This has the effect of decreasing blood flow in regions of the brain. The study showed that there was an increase in the release of dopamine associated with the meditation states achieved through nidra yoga.
Potential
Nidra yoga has been shown to have positive results in the treatment of PTSD patients at Walter Reed Hospital. It is not difficult to imagine that these practices may have benefits for other patients who may be undergoing stressful periods of their lives, including overcoming the stress associated with quitting smoking or ending substance abuse.
Considerations
Nidra is a form of yoga that emphasizes mental tranquility and rejuvenation. Practicing nidra yoga in combination with hatha yoga, which emphasizes physical poses, may allow people to combine both the physical and mental aspects of different yoga practices in order to more fully achieve a healthy harmony between mind and body.
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