Yog Nidra


Yog Nidra

Pinki Hazarika

Namaskar, with prayers of good health and happiness for our readers, I bring forth once again another form of yogasana which is about deep rest and relaxation.

Yog Nidra is what I am talking about.

So in this issue will be talking in detail about How and What is Yognidra.

Photo in lying down posture.

Yog Nidra or yogic sleep is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping like the going to sleep stage, typically induced by a guided meditation. There is evidence that Yognidra helps relieves stress.

An ancient technique from India, it has now spread worldwide and is also being applied by the US army to assist soldiers to recover from post traumatic stress disorder.

It is really interesting to see how Yognidra , where we literally do nothing, can work wonders for the body and mind. It is as restorative as sleep or even better than sleep. It offers benefits that go deep down to the subtle levels of our being. When we work with awareness (mind not wandering elsewhere) the work gets done better and faster.

Nidra means a relaxed state of mind but when we add awareness to it…..it becomes Yog Nidra

As we become aware of the different parts of the body, relaxation is much more natural and effective.  But when we sleep , everything shuts down including the awareness and so, relaxation remains incomplete somewhere. Yog nidra charges the body and also calms the mind. It also erases the patterns of emotions and the mind, which otherwise tends to continue even if you take a good nap. It is as if someone pressed the refresh button and takes you to a feeling of absolute bliss. When the mind is clouded with negative thoughts, Yognidra makes you free from the heaviness by clearing the clutters thereby keeping your energy level high up.

 “It’s very important to include Yognidra at the end of any sequence of Asanas as the body and mind needs the time to assimilate the effects of the asanas “….Gurudev SriSri Ravishankar

Additionally lying down in Yognidra helps cool the body and restores it to normal temperature.

Benefits

  1. Improved sleep and reduces insomnia.
  2. Detach from your thoughts which reduces stress.
  3. It gives your mind an extra window of relaxation.
  4. Releases tension and pain.
  5. Connect with yourself very easily.
  6. Enjoy life to the fullest.
  7. Rejuvenate at physical and mental level.
  8. It prepares the body and mind to enter a meditative state.
  9. As we take our attention to different parts of our body, we activate the nervous system which helps increase relaxation and enhances the meditation process.
  10. It is like a super nap which recharges you in no time. It is a complete rejuvenation package– a must to relieve us of daily stress in today’s busy world.

Pinki Hazarika
Art of living Faculty
Regional Director GEP
Has been with the organisation since 20years, a meditator, a yoga enthusiast and an ardent devotee of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji