Yoga Nidra

Blood Moon shot in January 2019

Yoga Nidra, originating in the Tantric tradition, is a powerful technique that induces complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. Although during the practice, one appears to be asleep, hence it is often called ‘yogic sleep’, the consciousness is functioning at a deeper level: one spontaneously oscillates between the conscious and subconscious states.

Furthermore, the practice is not only relaxing, but it has transformational powers over one’s mental and emotional patterns as well as habits. Doing Yoga Nidra regularly enables the practitioner to become more connected with the intuitive, Higher Self and to find the answers to ‘problems’ within. The “opening of the third eye” takes the consciousness beyond the conditioned personality, where one no longer identifies themselves emotionally with the body and the mind, but rests in a state of complete and clear awareness, ānanda.

Other common benefits include better sleep, reducing insomnia, detachment from thoughts and mental chatter.

After a short warm-up in the form of Surya Namaskar (sun salutations) or other energizing movements, Yoga Nidra takes place in savasana, lying on the back. Finding a comfortable enough position in which one can stay a long time is crucial as during the entire session we aim at not moving the physical body. The practice is centred around a sankalpa or a resolve, which is a seed sown at the beginning and repeated multiple times during the class. If it is a big resolve, it is often maintained throughout multiple sessions and repeated with conviction until it manifests in the practitioner’s life. A sankalpa can be very simple, e.g. I relax until the end of this class.

I find Yoga Nidra to be an excellent technique to complement other styles, hence I often apply a short practice (15 to 30 minutes) at the end of a yoga class instead of other relaxation methods. As a stand alone class, Yoga Nidra can be as long as 2 hours.

Here you can try out a 35 minute session of Yoga Nidra.