About Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is a systematic method of inducing deep relaxation to alleviate physical, emotional, and mental tensions.
In Yoga Nidra, or “yogic sleep”, the participant is guided into a hypnagogic state, which is a disassociated state of consciousness that naturally occurs between waking and sleeping. It is neither full conscious awareness nor unconscious sleep. Sleep itself is not guaranteed to be restful; oftentimes we carry over stress and tension, which can hinder proper rest and rejuvenation.
Our life experiences leave impressions in our consciousness, referred to in Sanskrit as Samskaras. Samskaras are stored in the subconscious and can be even more deeply rooted in the unconscious. Deeply seeded impressions can result in recurring tensions, negative habits, and unproductive thought patterns that cause stress.
Yoga Nidra uses the mind to relax the body, and once the relaxed and receptive subconscious state is reached, new, beneficial thought patterns are planted. The Sankalpa is a short, affirmational statement used in Yoga Nidra practice for this intention.
Yoga Nidra stimulates the brain by heightening awareness of the body.
During this process, the brain becomes disengaged from sensory channels while maintaining awareness on an auditory level. The progressive movement of awareness induces relaxation and clears nerve pathways to the brain by placing attention on different body locations.
The precise order of rotation of awareness generates energy flow complementary to our brain’s motor processing neural circuit. Next, breath awareness is utilized to deepen relaxation, encourage energy flow to body cells, and assist with disengaging from sensory stimuli.
After relaxation, feelings and sensations are roused to stimulate nerve terminals and brain centers responsible for maintaining harmony between one’s inner and outer experiences. Pairing alternate sensations support homeostatic balance by bringing typically involuntary functions into control. Experiences of heat, cold, heaviness, lightness, and others are recreated to awaken physiological responses.
This exercise reinforces one’s ability to create, command, and embody any experience upon their own will, establishing greater control over emotional and autonomic responses.
Yoga Nidra uses objective visualization to unlock stored content in the mind.
These samskaras are stored in the form of symbols in the unconscious, each symbol representing a container of more extensive information. In a sense, we are intentionally dreaming to awaken, release, and integrate deep-rooted beliefs, fears, memories, complexes, and conditions. Dreams represent our subconscious activities and deeper, unconscious instincts and drives.
As unique imagery appears for each individual, it must be viewed with an objective detachment to disengage the ego. When the ego becomes inactive, and the images can be viewed without analysis, judgment, or condemnation, the individual will no longer suppress materials reinforcing their initial prejudices. As a result, energy formerly used to repress deep-rooted conditions is freed up and can be redirected into other activities.
Over time, this technique allows us to bridge the gap of awareness between waking and dreaming, ultimately leading to a greater understanding of one’s own nature.
“Its ultimate purpose is to take you deep into the state where you are completely united with your inner being.” — Swami Satyananda Saraswati