What is Yoga Nidra?

Although I have been practicing yoga for years, I have only recently been introduced to Yoga Nidra. Yoga Nidra is a type of meditation focused on deep relaxation and restoration. Nidra is the Sanskrit word for sleep, and the practice includes meditation that guides the practitioner through levels of body sensing, breath awareness, and imagery. The goal of the practice is to find the stillness between the sleep and awake states. Benefits of Yoga Nidra include reduced stress, more energy, clarity, and improved health and well-being.

I came across Yoga Nidra while reading Stephen Cope’s book, The Wisdom of Yoga: A Seeker's Guide to Extraordinary Living. Yoga Nidra was not the book's primary topic, but because it was the first time I had been introduced to it, I decided to research and practice it myself. I am now hooked. It was wonderful! If you are familiar with Savasana, at the end of a traditional Hatha Yoga practice, imagine that, but at least three times longer with blankets and pillows! Amazing!

Through my research, I also found some pretty interesting facts, including why Yoga Nidra profoundly impacts a person’s energy. While it is not a substitute for sleep, it has been widely proclaimed that 20-30 minutes of Yoga Nidra can feel like 2-4 hours of deep sleep! There has been some debate over the science behind this. Still, honestly, if I do a Yoga Nidra session and I feel like a million bucks, I don’t care if the science is there yet, and I think that’s why so many people, including trauma centers, are beginning to look to it as a resource.

Check out this Yoga Journal article, How Yoga Can Help You Get More Sleep, to learn more about Yoga Nidra and how it works. I recommend trying it out yourself from the comfort of your own home. Set aside 20 minutes, lie down, place a pillow or bolster under your knees, and cover yourself with a blanket to keep warm. Push play on this YouTube video and let the relaxation begin!

Namaste, Michelle