The Benefits of Yoga Nidra

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The Benefits of Yoga Nidra also called the yoga of sleep, is an ancient practice that has been passed down through the generations. It is still practiced today to the benefit of many around the world. So grab your new silk eye pillow and get ready for the relaxing practice of yoga Nidra. You can do it any time of the day with the eye pillow!

The practice of yoga Nidra is like psychic sleep- it not only rests the body but also rests the mind on a very deep level. It is similar to conscious dreaming, also known as lucid dreaming. Through this practice, you let go of the daily stress of day-to-day life in order to rediscover the peace that lies within. Not to mention, the practice of active relaxation can help you deal with the stress of work or anything else much more efficiently.

If we are constantly stressed, then we may feel robbed of our life. Even going beyond that, yoga Nidra helps to keep the mental house of our brain and energy clean and tidy- washing away any cobwebs, thoughts, or habit patterns that are preventing us from moving forward in life. It helps us achieve spiritual progress.

How to Practice Yoga Nidra?

It’s best to reserve 30 minutes to 1 hour for the practice of yoga Nidra. Generally, it is performed in savasana (corpse pose) and every effort should be made to be comfortable, using bolsters as needed.

First, you will begin with an awareness of your body and awareness of your breath to center and calm the mind. There is no need to meditate on your problems during yoga Nidra- you can get let them go here. Next, comes a very important step called Sankalpa. A Sankalpa is an intention- it is getting what you wish your resolve to be.

After mentally reciting your Sankalpa 3 times, you will then pass by your awareness through all your body parts starting with the right hand. This is called the rotation of consciousness. From here, visualization and sensations can be added for additional mediation. Then, you are drawn back to your Sankalpa, repeating it again, before waking the body back up.

How It Affects the Brain and Body?

Yoga Nidra increases the production of alpha brain waves. These types of brain waves are associated with relaxation, visualization, and creativity. Long story short, this type of brain wave helps us feel chilled out and in the flow of our life.

Additionally, the regular practice of yoga Nidra can also help produce more dopamine in the brain- which means we will be hardwired for happiness! Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced in the brain that helps regulate our mood.

Now, when the brain is feeling good, it’s going to affect the rest of the body in a positive manner. On a physical level, the body will produce less cortisol, which is the hormone responsible for creating the stress response.

Overall, the practice of yoga Nidra is a win-win for body and mind health. All you need is your eye pillow and some quiet space.