What is Yoga Nidra?

This article was originally posted on relaxlikeaboss.com

Yoga nidra is a deep yoga relaxation technique for sleep.

It progressively moves the mind through deeper levels of sleep, so that as you drift off into a slumber, your mind becomes less and less preoccupied by worrying thoughts.

This quietens the mind’s brain waves.

It’s kind of like achieving deep levels of meditation.

However, the difference is that unlike meditation, you don’t have to try to be aware.

Typically meditation can be quite a strenuous activity because you have to be mindful and concentrate.

With yoga nidra, such focused levels of concentration aren’t necessary.

You’re also training your mind to notice your thoughts, and this creates a deeper level of understanding of yourself and how your mind works.

So by stepping back, creating some headspace and becoming less attached to what’s going on in your mind, you’re no longer dragged around by your thoughts.

Therefore, your levels of relaxation increase.


What Are The Benefits Of Yoga Nidra?

This relaxation technique has plenty of benefits, including:

  • Improves our levels of sleep
  • Better sleep can significantly improve almost every aspect of our lives
  • Doesn’t require any physical or strenuous activity
  • Your body already knows how to sleep - so this the yoga nidra technique comes naturally
  • It can enhance your mood and overall sense of wellbeing
  • Yoga nidra can improve your ability to stop thoughts negatively affecting your mood

Conscious Thoughts And Becoming More Aware.

One interesting benefit of yoga nidra is that it changes the relationship between your choices and your thoughts.

Essentially, you become more aware of your thoughts.

Therefore, you can improve your choices.

Let’s say your internal thoughts are suggesting you should eat junk food, or succumb to that pizza craving.

With yoga nidra, you can say ‘you know what, not now.’

Instead, you can take a step back and improve your lifestyle choices.

This stops the problematic cycle of bad habits and automatic thought processes.

Let’s look at some real life situations of how yoga nidra could help:

  • If you’re craving junk food
  • If you’re battling against the problems of emotional eating
  • Addictions to cigarettes, alcohol or other damaging substances

Introspection.

One belief held by yogis practicing this technique, is that your outside circumstances are created by the state of your inner consciousness.

So if you want to create change in your life, yoga nidra may help you achieve this.

Rather than blaming our external situations, we can look at the root causes of our problems - our thoughts.

It can essentially help you take control of the root source of most problematic thoughts.

After all, that's where most stress begins.

This is a section of an article posted on relaxlikeaboss.com. Read the full article here.

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