Yoga Nidra

The art and science of rest. This ancient practice leads us in to a conscious state of relaxation, beyond our normal states of rest.

The science

The journey of Yoga Nidra guides you to a state called the hypnagogic state, the transitional state between wakefulness and sleep. Andrew Huberman describes this state as necessary for neuroplasticity and wiring in new habits. During this dreamless sleep, your conscious mind remains active. Each stage of the guidance, although beautiful, is also rooted in neurology, physiology, psychology and philosophy. The rotation of consciousness for example, where we linger our awareness on different parts of the body, reflects the sensory homunculus. We bring more attention to the parts of the body that have a bigger sensory representation on the cortex of our brain. We spend most of waking life with our brain waves in beta. Meditation slows these waves down into alpha waves. Yoga Nidra invites us to slow down even further to theta waves. If we’re lucky enough to slow to delta waves, the body can easily alchemise cortisol and regenerate cells. Directing and controlling the breath allows us to change our internal state and during this practice we lean the seesaw of the nervous system towards the parasympathetic side, the side of rest, digest and healing. There are parts of the voyage that invite you to hold two opposing sensations or emotions at the same time, allowing you to move beyond duality and what the mind thinks is possible.

The art

When we practice this ancient “yogic sleep”, we invoke the resonance of the hundreds and thousands of people who have practiced this art before us. We call in the potency of the frequency of deep rest. As each layer of the physical and subtle body is profoundly felt with our undivided attention, it is allowed to melt away to reveal the next layer of our Self. When all has dissolved away - the aches of the physical body, the blocks and stagnation of the energy body and the mental business of the emotional body, we can start to turn inwards. The wisdom body allows us to discern whether we want to choose or refuse that which takes us closer to, or further away from our Self. Finally we come to deep rest in the bliss body, where there is nothing to do, or fix, or change - we just get to be. Every cell in our body is at peace and one with the whole Universe. We appear to be sleeping but the consciousness is operating at a deep level of awareness. This level of consciousness brings with it a deep sense of relaxation.

The benefits

• healing and rejuvenation

• stress relief

• increased concentration

• self transformation

• enhanced creativity

• improved memory

• eases stress, anxiety and depression

• physiological effects on the endocrine system and hormones

• improved perception of pain

One study states “Clinical studies have shown that yoga nidra meditation is associated with positive physiological changes, including improvements in several hematological variables, red blood cell counts, blood glucose levels, and hormonal status. Two neuroimaging studies have shown that yoga nidra produces changes in endogenous dopamine release and cerebral blood flow, a further confirmation that its effects on the CNS are objectively measurable. The practice has also been shown to reduce psychometrically measured indices of mild depression and anxiety, although these benefits were not shown in an experimental study to extend to severe depression or severe anxiety.”

“In yoga nidra we experience a state of harmony between body, brain, and mind. Then the unconscious barriers and blockages within the personality, which exist due to our negativity, are removed and the healing power of the mind begins to manifest.”

- Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati