Yoga Nidra works by gently guiding you through four main stages of brain wave activity: beta, alpha, theta, and delta. The ultimate goal is to achieve a hypnagogic state, which falls between wakefulness and sleep. It’s that magical time just before you fall asleep when the body is in deep relaxation while the mind is still reasonably lucid.
Stress is a huge burden on the modern body, a common complaint with many people, and
just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s healthy. I advise anyone suffering from pain or
chronic fatigue to do Nidra Yoga (also known as Yogic Sleep). A great deal of scientific
research supports the belief that Nidra Yoga is a key restorative practice to relieve stress.
Studies reveal that it both repairs and regenerate cells. It has even been applied by the
U.S. Army to assist soldiers in recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Yoga Nidra: Did you know?
Yoga Nidra, also known as dynamic sleep, is a meditation practice that prompts the body to relax deeply while the mind remains inwardly alert.
Research indicates that Yoga Nidra can help stabilize blood sugar levels, alleviate PMS symptoms, depression, and anxiety, and combat PTSD.
There’s no substitute for a great night’s sleep, but there is a particular combination of meditation and yoga that comes close: yoga Nidra. Yoga and meditation experts believe that one 30-minute practice of yoga Nidra can be as restful as two to four hours of sleep.
While more conclusive studies are necessary to understand precisely why this is so, researchers believe it’s related to the brain-wave changes you undergo during yoga Nidra.
Source: Bulletproof.com
Renowned author, guru, and yoga teacher Swami Satyananda Saraswati perfectly answers the “What is Yoga Nidra?” question by referring to it as “reaching the border between waking and sleeping states.” Also known as yogic sleep, this meditation practice prompts the body to relax deeply while the mind remains inwardly alert.
To practice yoga Nidra, you begin by lying face-up on the floor in a yoga corpse pose, otherwise known as Savasana. Based on the guided meditation you select, you’re prompted to begin sensing your body for areas of tension. Breath awareness and mindfulness are also key aspects to achieving the deep relaxation response that yoga Nidra offers.
Yoga Nidra works by gently guiding you through four main stages of brain wave activity: beta, alpha, theta, and delta. The ultimate goal is to achieve a hypnagogic state, which falls between wakefulness and sleep. It’s that magical time just before you fall asleep when the body is in deep relaxation while the mind is still reasonably lucid.