Better Sleep with Yoga Nidra

Nidra yoga for a more zen daily life.

Yoga nidra is one of the most famous styles of yoga among Vinyasa, Hatha, etc. However, this practice is quite different, because there are no real sequences of asanas per se. Indeed, it involves settling into the Savasana posture to relax and visualize pleasant images while discovering oneself, or rather one's "inner self" in order to improve sleep, but also release emotional blockages.

Origin of yoga nidra

''Nidra'' is a Sanskrit word meaning ''sleep''. Here, it refers to deep sleep devoid of dreams. The history of yoga nidra , dating back several centuries, draws on the traditions of Kashmir, Shivaism and Vedanta. It is a style of yoga developed by Swami Satyananda (an Indian Sannyâsin) and then taught from 1962. In the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, you can find rest as one of the 5 states of the mind. In the practice of yoga , there are 3 states of consciousness which are waking (Jagrat), dreaming (Svapna) and deep sleep (Sushupti).

The principle of sleep yoga

Nidra yoga , also called sleep yoga , is a relaxation technique aimed at improving the quality of your sleep. This discipline allows relaxation of your entire body, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You doze off while remaining conscious in a state close to light slow sleep. You can then directly let go to discover yourself and especially your "inner self". Indeed, most of the time our consciousness is projected on the outside without looking inside ourselves (the body and the mind). Practicing yoga nidra is therefore a way of connecting with oneself in order to capture intuitions, ideas and solutions in the unconscious.

The Perfect Yoga Nidra Practice for Stressed People

The discipline of nidra yoga can be practiced by everyone except those suffering from mental illnesses. However, it is especially recommended if you are stressed, anxious or tired, if you suffer from sleep disorders or have experienced a difficult period. It is a good way to relax and adopt a zen attitude.

A relaxing yoga nidra session

A yoga nidra class lasts between 10 minutes and 1h30. This can differ depending on the yoga teacher, whose voice accompanies the session. But, here are the steps of yoga nidra .

• First, you lie down on a comfortable yoga mat in Savasana posture,
• Relaxation begins by relaxing each limb of your body. This is called rotation of consciousness to reach the state of Pratyahara. The breath is slow,
• Letting go gives way to visualizations and mantras,
• You will recite the mantra ''Sankalpa'' before visualizing a positive image that you have chosen, expressing the ideal that you would like to achieve.

The benefits of yoga nidra on the body and mind

The virtues of yoga nidra are numerous, particularly for the health of your body and your mind:

• Improve your sleep while reducing sleep onset problems,
• Reduced stress and anxiety,
• Letting go leads to fewer negative thoughts,
• Better control of your emotions,
• Decreased fatigue,
• Strengthening your immune system,
• Development of creativity,
• Intensification of connection to oneself and others.

An example of a nidra course

To discover a nidra yoga class , click here .

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