WHAT IS YOGA NIDRA?
Yoga nidra translates to "yogic sleep" and is a guided meditation that encourages a physical state of deep relaxation that approaches sleep while helping us maintain mental alertness.
Remaining conscious while deeply relaxed in this practice is believed to have benefits that include:
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Stress release
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Help with sleep issues & disorders
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Relief of symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety & depression
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Alleviating symptoms of trauma & PTSD
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Aid in overcoming addictions
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Improvements in behavior & anger management
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Overcoming self-limiting patterns & habits
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Greater insight, clarity, & creativity
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Enhanced learning
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Physical restoration & healing
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Greater access to states of higher meditation & samadhi
HOW TO PRACTICE
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Make your space as distraction free as possible
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Lie on your back or in a comfortable position that you can maintain for the duration of the practice
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If overly tired: Use pillows to prop your upper body & head
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If overly alert: Use an eye pillow & blanket
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You can do the practice when you feel tired instead of a power nap or otherwise whenever you have a few minutes to take a break & refresh yourself
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For sleep issues: You can practice before bed & allow the practice to help you enter sleep
TRY IT!
Enjoy a short 15-minute practice:
WHO IS IT FOR?
Yoga nidra can be beneficial for & accessible to everyone! It can be especially good for those who:
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Struggle with traditional seated meditation
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Have sleep issues
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Have tried other methods of overcoming personal obstacles without success
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Wish to release unhelpful deep seated patterns or memories
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Want to reach deeper states of meditation
HOW DOES IT WORK?
In yoga nidra, the practitioner relaxes as the instructor guides them to direct their attention to specific points (the breath, the physical body, etc.) in a specific sequence. This allows the body to enter a state of relaxation as the mind enters a state of one-pointed awareness or meditation.
The result is the stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system—the "rest, digest, mend, and heal mode" of the nervous system—that allows us to release physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The retention of alertness and use of visualizations and symbology allows the practitioner to engage with the sub- and un-conscious minds. These deeper layers of our consciousness that store most of our mental and emotional patterns can then be accessed and worked with.
As the practitioner is physically relaxed and mentally alert they are guided to dis-identify with all that arises, which allows for the release of negative samskaras (psychological impressions or "knots" that show up as unhelpful habit patterns).
YOGA NIDRA FOR
HEALING & OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
Yoga nidra is more than a relaxation technique—although it's excellent for that too!
Yoga nidra can be used to help with:
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Addictions
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Traumas
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Overcoming self-limiting patterns
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Physical healing
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Aligning with your highest potential
Ways to use nidra for healing & overcoming obstacles:
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Use a nidra with a sankalpa (intention)
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Use a nidra that cultivates equanimity
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Use tailored visualizations
For support in up-leveling your yoga nidra practice for healing & overcoming obstacles, click below to read more about receiving a Custom Yoga Nidra Package.