3 Benefits of Practicing Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra popularly known as yogic sleep is that state of consciousness where the body is neither in deep sleep nor it is completely awake. It is believed to be the most effective way of meditation where the complete nervous system gets its most needed relaxation. During the process of Yoga Nidra, one must be in the corpse pose which is known as “Savasana”.
Not everyone can perform various intense yoga asanas but Yoga Nidra is one technique which can be practiced by all irrespective of their age and body limitations. This yogic sleep is always performed under the guidance of experts and one needs to just lie down on the floor and follow the voice that keeps giving instructions. One can initially start with a short Yoga Nidra of 5 minutes and gradually increase the duration.
There are immense benefits of practicing Yoga Nidra among which the three most important ones are as follows:
Relaxation
Practicing Yoga Nidra will help one get relieved of the inner stress and which is why these days this technique is highly recommended. People who are victims of improper sleep, hypertension and hyperthyroidism should definitely start practicing Yoga Nidra as this form of yoga pacifies the body, mind, and soul.
Once the body and mind are rejuvenated, one will experience clarity in their thought. Since there is no distraction, the person will be able to follow his instincts which are loud and clear. Yoga Nidra is highly recommended to those people who are undergoing depression and anxiety. Even women who are facing irregularities in their menstrual cycles can be greatly benefitted by following this methodology.
Awakens The Creativity
Practicing of Yoga Nidra will also help in awakening of one’s creative self. It is always seen that creativity in a person comes out only when the body and mind are relaxed. Yoga Nidra works like a bridge between the unconscious and conscious mind. Gradually, when one gets tuned with the unconscious mechanism, then creativity automatically gets stimulated.
Training the Mind
Another benefit of Yoga Nidra is it trains the mind. In every session of the Yoga Nidra, a “Sankalpa” that is an oath is taken and it is believed to be the most powerful way of training one’s mind. Since “Sankalpa” is made when the mind is in its subconscious state the orders are received positively by the mind and are followed. However, one needs to have strong willpower and adhere honestly to the Sankalpa taken to get the desired result. As said by Swami Satyananda, "the Sankalpa took at the beginning of Yoga Nidra is like sowing a seed, and the Sankalpa at the end is like irrigating it. So, the resolve took in Yoga Nidra always brings a result, if it is taken sincerely".
Boosts up memory
Yoga Nidra is believed to boost up memory and one’s learning capacity. If the technique of Yoga Nidra is utilized in training, both sides of the student’s brain will get involved in gaining knowledge, whereas in the study room teaching only the left hemisphere functions. In this manner, the exercise of Yoga Nidra includes the whole mind in studying.
No doubt there are other ways of relaxation but Yoga Nidra tells the body and mind that they are of utmost importance. In India, many yoga schools in places like Rishikesh include Yoga Nidra as an essential part of their curriculum. It not only helps in getting rid of tension in the body but releases that tension in the mind which is accumulated. Regular practice of yogic sleep gives the body time to rest, recover especially for students of yoga teacher training in India, who go through intensive yoga asana sessions. It also helps restore the balance for the students who are doing yoga courses in Rishikesh and reducing the chances of inflammation and improvise the immune system thereby making them less injury prone.