You will come across a large section of the population, having sleep issues. Most young people who burn the midnight oil for their studies and work, also suffer from the same. As we age, we sleep less. A child sleeps in short bursts, and as they grow the sleep duration and timings are more or less uniform. 7-8 hours is the normal sleep duration to remain healthy. This is for the night time. All those of you who are lucky, may also be able to sleep or take a short nap, in the afternoon. It goes without saying that sleep helps in rejuvenation and relaxation. You will feel less anxious, if you sleep as per the day and night cycle. However, hectic work schedules can hamper the same. That is where Yoga Nidra for sleep comes into the picture.
The Background Of Yoga Nidra
It has its lineage in Samkhya Philosophy. The same goes back to 700 BC. Both Buddhist stalwarts and Hindu stalwarts have propagated the same through many centuries. It also finds mention in Kashmiri Shaivism. The ultimate meaning of Yoga Nidra is to look within, as that is where all the answers about life are hidden. The state of mind will help you to reach the very core, which is achieved through Yoga Nidra for Sleep.
Yoga Nidra For Sleep – The Practice
All those who practice yoga on a regular basis, understand the benefits of the modality. Yoga Nidra for Sleep is a sort of sleep meditation. If you have pursued some course at some point in time in your life, you may know about it. However, there is more scope in studying about it, as the field can be quite vast and complicated. You use yoga poses along with sleep meditation, to calm and quieten the mind. You can also conserve your ‘Prana’ or energy through the process. It is basically a state of being, between sleep and walking. You can start counting the benefits, once you practice the same.
Many of you may be wondering, who can practice Yoga Nidra for sleep. Now you will be in for some good news. Yes, anybody can practice Yoga Nidra. If you have been trying to meditate and miserably failed to do it, this is for you. If you have suffered from trauma, whether mental or physical, then also you can use this method to end your sufferings. Sleep deprived people can also practice Yoga Nidra. If you are one of those curious minds, who want to know what people do while meditating, then also this is for you. Yoga Nidra can fulfil that void in your life, and can give you the universal gratification, which you were looking for.
Benefits Of Yoga Nidra For Sleep
- So, you already know the first benefit. Anyone and everyone can practice Yoga Nidra. You can perform Yoga Nidra in the most relaxing state, i.e., Shavasana. It is all about finding your comfort zone. When you relax your spine, you will get the best relaxation ever.
- You can also get a good night time sleep, if you practice this modality on a daily basis. If you do it before bedtime, it will give you immense benefits. Many people suffering from sleep issues can get benefitted, through the practice of Yoga Nidra.
- It also reduces stress, tension, and anxiety. If you have been suffering from depression, or any sort of mental disorder, this is the right time to get rid of the same.
- Yoga Nidra for sleep can also relax your mind and help you to reach a deeper state in meditation. Slowly, you will be in control of your thoughts and desires. You will also develop better mental clarity.
- Many people including patients, who have been suffering from chronic pains and inflammation inside the body, will also get a chance to get rest. The process also relaxes the nervous system.
How To Do Yoga Nidra?
You have to simply lie down on a comfortable mat and rest. Your teacher will guide you through the process. The process can take 30-35 minutes. Like with every other yogic modality, you have to set a theme or a goal for the practice. It is the first step toward success, with Yoga Nidra. You must associate a few situations that make you feel safe. Through the process, you have to emulate the same situation and work towards it in a relaxed state of mind.
Once you set the theme, goal, or the intention, you have to start concentrating. Explore the body and breath, and develop your sensory awareness. You can use all your senses to do the explorative work and increase your limits. The more you go deeper inside the astral body, the better it is for you.
When you hit a plateau through practice, you will be able to experience myriad emotions. There will be surges in emotional patterns, which you may not be ready to deal with. The body will be in a state of relaxation by the time such outbursts happen. So, you will be ready to deal with the same. You can welcome all kinds of thoughts and feelings, without getting overwhelmed.
This is the moment, which will help you to handle all the unresolved mental or physical traumas. You can also set yourself up, in different poses for the same. Hear and think, visualize and emulate, what happened, what can happen, and what you can do about it. Since the mind is in a relaxed state, you have all the power in your hands.
Once you see, feel, and hear everything, you can head to the final stage. Explore your consciousness. You will have unlimited visualizations at this stage.
You can head to Bali Yoga Retreats, which is one of the most prominent schools of yoga. The best teachers will take you through guided sleep meditation.
