Yoga Nidra is an easy and unique meditative technique that is profoundly healing for the body, mind and soul. My ‘Sankalpa’ (deepest heartfelt desire) of opening my Yoga My Love studio came true through the practice of Yoga Nidra!.
What it means
In Sanskrit, Nidra means ‘sleep’, Yoga Nidra means ‘Yogic Sleep’ where the body relaxes and the practitioner turns inward.
In ancient India, sages used the technique to withdraw their senses, go inward and consciously watch their ‘samskaras’ (“impressions of mind”) and purify them. In that deep state, if grace bestows, they were able to clear the effects of their past actions, purify their ‘samskaras’ and go closer to ‘moksha’ state (liberated state).
Traditionally, Yoga Nidra is practiced to realise one‘s Sankalpa’ (deepest desire). The practice awakens the willpower within by uniting the conscious awareness with the unconscious forces lying dormant and has the potential to bring our ‘Sankalpa’ true.
In our modern practice, the meditative technique takes us between waking and sleeping states of consciousness and relaxes our body by working on the autonomic nervous system. This has an amazingly positive effect on our overall health and wellbeing.
What to expect
It is an asana poses free, lying down, easy yoga. A 30-minute session could leave you feeling like you slept for 2 hours.
Your guide or guided voice through modern technologies will use body-breadth awareness techniques to help you move from the thinking mind into the feeling body, which will help you to sink into a deeply relaxed state. The aim is to calm your mind and progressively move down brainwave states where there is naturally less and less thought, ultimately coming to rest in a deep state of relaxation.
Though it is a ‘meditative technique’, it differs from meditation. In regular meditation practices, we sit in a waking state and allow thoughts to come and go and try and reach the theta state. Whereas in Yoga Nidra, we move to the delta state, the place of the deepest sleep cycle. In that state, the body and mind are asleep, but the consciousness is awake, and a profound healing takes place.
Who is it suitable for?
Anyone from children to adults and people with all abilities and (dis)abilities. It is an easily accessible meditation practice for all.
Health benefits
Improves quality of sleep
It calms the mind and relaxes and rejuvenates the body
By setting your ‘Sankalpa’ it improves your confidence and self-esteem
Diminishes symptoms of anxiety and depression
Treats chronic pain and stress
Lowers cholesterol and blood pressure
Reduces addiction
Balances the nervous system
Improves concentration and creativity
Strengthens immunity.
So what are you waiting for? At Yoga My Love we offer Yoga Nidra every week Monday to Thursday 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Book Now
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