What is Yoga Nidra?
Yoga Nidra is a state of consciousness that is defined by remaining conscious during unconscious or “sleep” states. Remaining aware during Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation helps bring into conscious awareness, unconscious thoughts and behavioural patterns. In other words, it helps us “clear the fog” to see and experience things with knowingness.
WHAT
Yoga ≈ dynamic/conscious or unified
Nidra = sleep/unconscious states
Every day, we navigate through various states of consciousness. When we are awake or sleeping or stressed, our brain patterns fluctuate to various frequencies altering our state of mind. Since all frequencies carry information – like tuning into different radio stations – we inherently broadcast different waves of information to the body.
This information is always perceived internally but can be triggered by an internal or an external event, and it is either processed consciously or unconsciously. Some examples of unconscious behavioural/emotional patterns are things like procrastination, biases towards others and addictions.
WHY
(1) Connecting to your True Self
(2) Increasing your awareness
HOW
Yoga Nidra is simple; lie down, close your eyes, stay still and listen. It is a proven process/technique rooted in the ancient Tantric tradition called Nyasa. It was further tailored by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, by combining eastern yogic techniques with western hypnotic relaxation. GYNM is also foolproof! Regardless of whether your mind drifts in and out of consciousness, GYNM heals deep seated stresses.
It works by systematically moving conscious awareness inward – i.e., disconnecting from the 3D (material, identity, beliefs…) world – into the subtler levels (koshas) of the energetic body. This is the place within yourself where the analytical mind is pacified and where you gain access to your mind’s mainframe, where core operations can be observed and upgraded into conscious awareness.
8 STAGES OF YOGA NIDRA
Not every Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation will include all eight (8) stages.
The number of stages performed to achieve and maintain Yoga Nidra depend on time constraints, practitioner level and/or practitioner’s health.
Entry
Entry
Instructions / initial deepening
Intention
Intention
Sankalpa
Body Scan
Body Scan
Rotation of consciousness
Breath Awareness
Breath Awareness
Pranayama
Proprioception
Proprioception
Relative position and sensations
Journeying
Journeying
Visualization / representations
Restating Intention
Restating Intention
Sankalpa
Return
Return
Acclimation
BENEFITS
The benefits of practicing Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation are numerous, they range from physical, energetic and emotional to spiritual (mind-body).
- Connects you to your true nature (True Self)
- Reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Stimulates the relaxation response
- Strengthens the immune system
- Balances the nervous system
- Strengthens the endocrine system
- Revitalizes and recharges the body
- Stabilizes thoughts and emotions
- Enhances creativity
- Cultivates Ahimsa (non-violence/self-compassion)
- Increases awareness
WHO
Everyone/anyone who wishes to connect with their True nature and expand their awareness. Whether you’re eight or eighty years of age, pregnant, ill, bed ridden or have never taken a yoga class, you will benefit from Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation.
WHEN
Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation is most beneficial as a regular practice done every day or every other day. However, you will still enjoy the physical, energetic, emotional and spiritual bliss achieved with GYNM even if only practiced periodically.
WHERE
Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation can be practiced anywhere that is quiet and at any time of the day. It is recommended to practice GYNM 1-2 hours after a meal.
FOR HOW LONG
Guided Yoga Nidra Meditations can vary from eight (8) minutes to an hour and a half. Each guided meditation can, and ought to be done an infinite number of times to profoundly feel its effects.
WHY GYNM vs. OTHERS
There is no one form of meditation that is better than another. If you’re a beginner, it can be easier to get into and maintain a meditative state while being guided rather than trying to achieve it on your own. But regardless of whether you’re a novice or an adept, GYNM provides a simple and tangible means of disconnecting from the Matrix and expanding your awareness to experience alternate states of being.