What is Yoga Nidra?

What is Yoga Nidra?

Yoga Nidra is a form of yoga for the mind. It roughly translates to “yogic sleep”.

In the practice of Yoga Nidra, a teacher guides the practitioner through vocal instructions to enter a state of consciousness in between wakefulness and sleep.

It resembles a guided meditation in its practice, however differs in the state of mind. Meditation is (most often) single pointed focus. In Yoga Nidra, we allow the mind to wander through the physical body, then through various levels of consciousness. Meditation is usually practiced sitting upright and while calmly alert. Yoga Nidra is practiced laying down in savasana.

Yoga Nidra is a deeply restorative practice for both body and mind. The body “sleeps” so to speak, and is fully rested. It is common for people to experience deep physical pain during a practice, and it is believed that this is pre-existing pain that is being released. We also can release deeply held beliefs, memories and painful past experiences when entering deeper states. It usually takes 30-40mins to enter the depth of a Yoga Nidra practice.

A hallmark of yoga Nidra practice is the setting of a Sankalpa. A Sankalpa is a personal resolve or heartfelt desire. Similar to an intention or resolution, a Sankalpa goes beyond our personal desires and comes from deep within us. It is based on the idea that we remember our true nature. It is repeated mentally to oneself in a short and positive manner at the beginning of the practice, and is said to permeate the mind as we enter deeper states of relaxation. For example, instead of “I want to be more grateful”, a Sankalpa could be worded “Gratitude is my nature”.

The practice starts with full awareness of the physical body, being guided to experience every sensation on every body part. Through this, we enter the state between sleep and wake, which can feel hypnotic or trance like. The practice continues as we experience various sensations, imaginations and memories.

It is common to fall asleep during the practice, and the benefits are still conferred during sleep. That being said, all efforts should be made to remain awake for the duration of the practice.

Yoga Nidra is a wonderful practice for relaxation, and to explore and shed our deepest inner workings.

I would love for you to try my free introduction to Yoga Nidra on Insight Timer, here. This is the first of a series of 8 classes, each of which will delve deeper into our minds.

For instructions on how to set up for Yoga Nidra, see my video here.