Yoga Nidra

Listen to Yoga Nidra recording.

Yoga Nidra literally means 'Yogic Sleep'.  It is a state of conscious deep sleep.  In meditation, one remains in the waking state of consciousness and gently focusses the mind while allowing thought patterns, emotions, sensations and images to arise and continue.  However in Yoga Nidra, one leaves the waking state, moves past the dreaming state and enters into deep sleep yet remaining awake.  While Yoga Nidra is a very relaxing state, it is used by yogis to purify the deep impressions of the mind (samkaras) that are the driving force behind our habitual patterns. 

This practice has been designed by Paramhansa Swami Satyananda Saraswati, the founder of The Institute "Bihar School of Yoga" at Munger, Bihar, India.

You will need 30 minutes for this meditation.  Wear lose clothing and try to avoid very bright light - Yoga Nidra is best practiced in dim light.

The starting position is shavasana (corpse posture).

The practice procedure is very simple, the only effort required from you is to listen to the prerecorded commentary and follow the instructions mentally. 

For some, the practice of Yoga Nidra may bring about a deep state of relaxation and meditation and therefore it is very important that the practitioner is brought out of this practice gradually.  An abrupt transition for this deep state to waking consciousness can temporarily shock the practitioner and in this case he/she should practice breath awareness until calm.