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What is yoga nidra and what are the benefits of the practice? | Inessentia

Yoga Nidra is an ancient practice that has many benefits for both the body and mind. Read on to find out more about this transformative form of yoga.


Yoga nidra is a remarkable practice that has been offering inner peace, stillness and relaxation for thousands of years. It is an ancient form of “yogic sleep” that can bring profound physical and psychological wellness to practitioners through the synchronization of breath, body awareness and meditation. With proper guidance from an experienced teacher, yoga nidra can help us connect with our deeper Self – allowing healing on the deepest levels possible. If you are curious about exploring this powerful technique to access your inner most resources, then read on for more information on how the practice can be beneficial in creating balance in your life.

Yoga nidra, also known as yogic sleep, is a deeply relaxing form of yoga that originated thousands of years ago in India. This conscious mediation aims to combine mindfulness with extreme relaxation and self-awareness. The practice revolves around four stages: pratyahara, the withdrawal of attention from external sounds and experiences; dharana, which concentrates on a single point; dhyana, the continuous flow of awareness on that single point; and finally, samadhi, the experience of inner connection and peace. During yoga nidra, practitioners remain in a calm state between wakefulness and sleep while being guided through imaginative visualization. With regular yoga nidra practice, one can achieve an improved sense of wellness.

Yoga nidra is a powerful relaxation technique that can be helpful for relieving stress and restoring balance to the mind and body. Practicing with an instructor is the perfect way to learn and experience yoga nidra in its full form. When practicing with an instructor, they will guide you through gradual physical & mental relaxation exercise which help create a calm, deep state of meditation that can be incredibly relaxing and healing. During this session, the instructor will lead you in going through various conscious breathing exercises that encourage mindful awareness of your body while releasing tension. In addition, the instructor might provide other helpful instructions such as using soothing music tracks to aid in relaxation or providing affirmations to further deepen your practice. With regular practice, yoga nidra has been shown to reduce stress levels, increase immunity, improve focus & concentration, and induce better quality sleep.

Yoga nidra, also known as yogic sleep or psychic sleep, is an ancient practice from India designed to profoundly relax the body and mind. It has been found to produce both physical, psychological and emotional benefits that go far beyond simply improving the quality of one's sleep. In addition to calming the nervous system and providing deep relaxation, it can help reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and slow breathing rate. On a psychological level, yoga nidra has been shown to alleviate anxiety and depression as well as enhance self-awareness and transform one’s attitude towards life. Emotionally speaking, regular practice can bring about feelings of peace and contentment by releasing trapped emotions in the body which can lead to greater joy and ease in life.

At the core of yoga nidra lies the san kalpa, or intention setting part. While the body is relaxed in complete ease, practitioners focus on what they want to manifest in their life by visualizing it and anchoring this vision into the present moment via affirmation. With regular practice, one can unlock powerful potential within themselves - developing healthier skin and organs, a better sense of well-being, improved concentration and alertness. Establishing your san kalpa, or intention statement, is an integral part of a yoga nidra practice. A san kalpa forms a framework within which one can exist as they enter a space of restful awareness. It serves as a guiding principle to help focus the mind, body and soul on the same idea throughout the duration of your yoga nidra journey. Before you begin your practice, make sure to take some time to set an intention that resonates with you deeply. Your intention should be simple, profound and meaningful to support your highest good. Each day could include different intentions that best serve you in that moment. Consider writing these intentions down and repeating them silently at the beginning of each practice. When you formulate them, make them simple and in the first person, present tense.

If you are new to Yoga Nidra and want to learn more, here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about this deeply restorative practice. First, you should know that Yoga Nidra is not a guided visualization but rather an active state of awareness that involves physical stillness and mental receptivity. Second, it does not require any special equipment; all you need is a comfortable spot for lying down or sitting with your spine straight. Finally, its effects are cumulative; the longer you practice it consistently, the deeper relaxation benefits you will experience overtime.

The Inessentia 200 yoga teacher training course is not only comprehensive in covering all units required by Yoga Alliance, but it also includes an in-depth exploration of yoga nidra. Through this course, teachers will be equipped with the skills to confidently deliver this ancient practice. After completing the program, teachers should have a comprehensive knowledge of how to write and sequence a yoga nidra practice and be comfortable leading students through the process.



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