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What is Yoga Nidra?
Yoga Nidra or “yogic sleep” is a yoga that involves no movements and instead focuses on meditation, breathing, and concentration.
What yoga Nidra does is relax the body, and also relax the mind through meditation.
This yoga lets you unwind and connect with your inner self. There are so many different ways one can benefit from yoga Nidra, and for each person, the benefits could be different.
Yoga Nidra is not a new practice at all. It is a form of meditation used by ancient people many years ago. This yoga is also known as yogic sleep, which means sleep with awareness.
The primary goal of yoga Nidra is to give the body complete relaxation and for it to reach a deep meditative state where various subconscious, neurological, and physiological needs are addressed.
There are many techniques used for this yoga, including body scanning and guided imagery, which could last between 20 and 45 minutes. There are four stages in yoga Nidra.
Although not all people doing this yoga can get to the advanced stages, most of them still manage to experience rejuvenation.
Benefits of Yoga Nidra
Perhaps the best thing about yoga Nidra is the fact that it can be done by anyone, even someone with a health condition. There is no physical expertise required.
In general, it is practiced lying down. But there are a couple of other ways you can do it, such as while standing or even sitting. Yoga Nidra does a good job of quieting your active mind and relaxing your body to help you reach a deep sleep state.
Yoga Nidra vs. Meditation
While they may seem just the same, meditation and yoga Nidra are different in many ways. When doing meditation, for instance, you stay in an awake state of consciousness while you let subconscious and unconscious thoughts come into your conscious mind.
On the other hand, in yoga Nidra, you are going to get out of the waking state, and instead turn into the deep sleep stage of consciousness.
This, however, does not mean that you stay fully alert and awake during the transition. During yoga, your mind and body become fully relaxed and very quiet.
The Perfect Time for Yoga Nidra
When it comes to the ideal time to do yoga Nidra, it is no different from any other fitness or meditation yoga. You should perform yoga Nidra at any time of the day, which will best match your preferences and needs.
Some people think of yoga Nidra as an excellent way to have a refreshed mind before they start their day in the morning.
Meanwhile, some also prefer to have a quick session in the afternoon, especially after lunchtime, when they feel just energy-less. Doing yoga helps them get the energy they need to last the entire day.
Many people also believe that the most relaxing time to perform yoga Nidra is at night, particularly before going to bed.
For you to find what time of day you can benefit the most from yoga Nidra, try performing it at different times of the day for a couple of days.
This way, you will be able to figure out which times you feel the great effects of yoga Nidra the most.
How Long Should It Be Performed?
When it comes to planning your schedule for yoga Nidra, the main consideration is your personal preferences.
However, there are some specific factors you need to take into consideration in making your plan.
At first, it may probably take you a bit more time to reach yoga Nidra successfully. Generally, you may need between 45 and 60 minutes to complete this yogic sleep.
According to experienced yoga trainers, it is not a good idea to try to squeeze your yoga Nidra time into your busy and hectic schedule.
If you rush the yoga session, you will not experience any of its benefits. But as you go along and become much more at ease with the methods, it will take not as much time to eventually reach the deep sleep stage of consciousness.
What Is the Ideal Environment for Yoga Nidra?
If you want to be successful in achieving yoga Nidra, you have to make sure that you perform it in a place that is conducive to relaxation and peace.
You can start practicing in a warm, quiet, and comfortable room. The room doesn’t need to be dark, but using a dim light is recommended.
By choosing a place where you can be relaxed and comfortable, you will easily experience the great benefits of yoga Nidra.