Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra is a deep relaxation technique also called 'yogic sleep' in which ones mind and body is at complete rest but with complete awareness. Through the practice of Yoga Nidra, you can achieve true relaxation.

This technique is more efficient and effective form of rest and rejuvenation than conventional sleep. Illness such as diabetes, hypertension, migraine, asthma, anxiety, ulcers and digestive disorders all stem from tension. The practice of yogic relaxation has been found to effectively reduce tension and improve psychological well being of people suffering from these conditions. Practising Yoga Nidra successfully decreases the time required to fall asleep, thereby curing insomnia.

There is no question about the close relation between the body and the brain. Various centres in the brain control, modify, and affect our bodily functions. It is proved that the left half of the body is represented in the right half of the brain and vice-a-versa. As far as the muscular actions are concerned, the representation is in an 'upside down manner' in the motor area of precentral gyrus (the fold of brain tissue located just forward to the central sulcus). Consequently at the top of this part of brain, the lowest portion of the body, the foot, is represented. Then comes the ankle, lower leg, knee, thigh, hip, trunk, shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, palm, fingers, thumb, then neck, jaw, face, eyes, ears, tongue, taste, swallowing, etc. The same thing is applicable for sensations. Stimulation of brain centres of sensory cortex evokes sensations on the opposite half of the body.

In Yoga Nidra the exact opposite process is used to make the brain centres active by focusing awareness on the parts of the body in a definite sequence. The person tries to stimulate various parts of the brain by focusing the awareness on the corresponding parts of the body.

During the practice of Yoga Nidra, one appears to be sleep, but the consciousness is functioning at the deeper level of awareness. It is a state of mind in between wakefulness and dream. Normally when we sleep, we lose track of our self and cannot utilise this capacity of mind. Yoga Nidra enables the person to be conscious in this state and inspire the higher self so that you can enjoy the vitality of life.

A typical session usually takes from thirty to sixty minutes to. The person lies on his or her back in a totally relaxed posture (shavasana – corpse pose). Eyes are lightly closed, arms are kept with palms facing upwards, and breathing is natural and quiet.

Yoga nidra restructures and transforms ones whole personality from within. With every session of Yoga Nidra one is actually breaking ones old conditionings and tendencies in order to be born anew. Introducing change is found in a Sankalpa (a resolve), which one makes for oneself during each practice. Sankalpa is a Sanskrit word, which can be translated as resolve or resolution. Before the rotation of awareness one makes a positive resolve about the aim in life. It is the most powerful practice for bringing about change. The wordings should be clear and precise. Then the rotation of awareness begins. The person has to just visualise the part of the body mentioned by the instructor. The person must not move any part of the body. Quickly corresponding with the instructions, ones awareness shifts from one part to the next. The person should not imagine the next part before the instructor mentions it. The whole process should be a pleasure and not a burden. There should not be any anxiety or expectation. After the rotation of the consciousness, the instructor will move through different sequences such as the awareness of the breath, feelings and emotions and visualisation.

The practice helps to develop self-awareness and helps in concentration.

Once again the resolve or sankalpa is intently thought of consciously as one tries to direct the unconscious mind to acknowledge the goal in life. This time the unconscious is very receptive and may accept the suggestion from the conscious mind.

Yoga nidra helps in restoring mental, emotional, and physical health by way of relaxation. Such a practice helps harmonise two hemispheres of the brain. The impressions in the subconscious are brought to surface, experienced and removed.