Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on Indian philosophical and religious traditions. It’s an art that awakens yourself by different yoga asanas. Many of us think yoga as learning physical postures and breathe work. However, yoga is more than practicing poses.
Anyone who has ever tried yoga will agree that “yog nidra” is an ultimate form of restoration and self-healing, which is a must-have for today’s busy people. In recent years, yog nidra or yogic sleep has remained a hot topic due to its approach towards the sleep and relaxation technique. It is one of the most important aspects of yoga, which is not widely taught by best yoga teacher training in India. But, any yoga practices, whether it is astanga yoga or vinyasa flow yoga, is incomplete without yog nidra.
What is Yoga Nidra?
As the name suggests, Yog nidra or yogic sleep is a comprehensive meditative process of taking your body to deep relaxation mode while the brain remains aware and awake. It is like arriving at the edge of being asleep and awake. Due to this, yog nidra is also known as Conscious Sleep, in which the body is asleep and relaxed while the mind is fully conscious and alert. This leads to uncover and awaken your inner oasis of peacefulness. Other common benefits that come in the long term are the development of intuitive understanding, unconditional joy, and skill development that helps in handling stress and tension.
How it Works on Body and Mind?
Yog Nidra is performed on the basis of brain waves, known as alpha, beta, gamma, and theta. The brain transits signals from one state to another to achieve Hypnagogia. The word Hynogogia means the transition of a sleeping stage, with the more focused and conscious mind and a relaxed body. The transition during the process happens consciously. Initially, only alpha and beta wave commotions occur, but with regular practice, theta and delta waves commotions can be accessed to attain a super consciousness.
What are the Stages of Yog Nidra?
There are eight distinct stages of Yog Nidra; they are as follows –
- Preparation – In this state, the body goes on the Shavasana position. It helps to attain maximum physical relaxation and eliminate all discomfort in body and mind.
- Sankalpa – This stage takes the body and mind in a positive way. Sankalpa is similar to a positive affirmation and resolve. When there is a will power behind, then anything can be possible!
- Rotation of Awareness – After the Sankalpa, the third stage commences with the rotation of consciousness throughout different parts of the whole body.
- Breathe Awareness – The next stage is the awareness of breath through inhalation and exhalation procedure. This promotes relaxation and increase concentration and has a profound effect on energy level throughout the body and mind.
- Creating opposite sensation and feeling – In this part, opposite emotions and sensations are explored while practicing the non-attachment. The opposite emotion increases will-power, emotional control, and greater equanimity.
- Visualization – This is the sixth stage of yog nidra, in which a person starts visualizing his/her imaginations in mind. It enhances the photographic memory, relaxes the mind, helps in body healing, and improves the learning outcome.
- Sankalpa – After the visualization, the stage of Sankalpa is repeated again. The repetition helps to deepen the impressions of resolve.
- Externalization – Lastly, you are guided properly to reorient in the external surrounding. Return back to normal wakefulness and awareness after completion of your yog nidra.
What are the benefits of Yog Nidra?
Yog nidra offers a number of benefits to the life of a yoga learner. It’s one of the best methods to relieve physical stress. It manages mental and psychological problems; the body will feel more rejuvenated and energized after a nidra yoga session. All of the negativities that lie within you are being eradicated with yog nidra. Experience a better sleeping habit with a yog nidra session.
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