Here at YogaHub we love the practice of yoga nidra, which is often called “yogic sleep.”
Yoga nidra
Is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping, like the “going-to-sleep” stage. It is a state in which the body is completely relaxed, and the practitioner becomes systematically and increasingly aware of the inner world by following a set of verbal instructions.
If you are able to stay awake, it can bring clarity of mind and deep insight.
Yoga nidra is among the deepest possible states of relaxation while still maintaining full consciousness
The concept of yoga nidra is very ancient in Indian traditions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Lord Krishna is often associated with it in the ancient Indian text Mahabharata.
Some benefits
- Yoga nidra can be practiced by anyone and there is no wrong way to practice it. All you have to do is lie down in Savasana and follow the voice that is guiding you.
- Yoga nidra promotes deep rest and relaxation that isn’t found in your average meditation practice. You can incorporate yogic sleep into your everyday life to help reduce stress and anxiety.
- It helps with relieving muscular, emotional and mental tension.
- Yogic sleep treats insomnia.
- It improves creativity and enhances memory.
- One of the most amazing benefits of yoga nidra is how refreshed you feel afterwards. It is believed that 30 minutes of yoga nidra is the equivalent of 3 hours sleep.
Try it yourself
If you would like to try some yogic sleep, I found two great videos on YouTube.
Let us know how you like it.
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