Yoga Nidra is a sleep based, guided meditation. During Yoga Nidra, the facilitator guides you through simple breathing and awareness techniques that slow the mental activity of the mind. As this activity slows, your mind drops into deeper states of consciousness that we usually associate with sleep. Even as the thinking mind slows and quiets, the the physical brain enters a state of quiet activity similar to sleep. This quiet activity of the brain, which you experience during a good night’s sleep, allows the brain to rest and rejuvenate itself.
What are the Benefits?
- 45 minutes of Yoga Nidra is said to be like 3 hours of sleep
- Releases and resets stress levels
- All meditation (Yoga Nidra included) lowers blood pressure
- Helps rebuild the brain’s gray matter Harvard Study
- Useful for setting intentions to guide life
What to Bring?
- Yoga Mat
- Pillow
- Blanket (it is not uncommon to feel cold during Yoga Nidra)
- Journal and pen or pencil to record your experience after
Yogeshwari Kamini Desai
Here is a brief video from Yogeshwari Kamini Desai and the Amrit Yoga Institute further explaining Yoga Nidra.