Y O G A N I D R A - otherwise known as Yogic Sleep.
The ultimate goal of Yoga Nidra is to reduce tension, because when tension is released we can truly relax. Yes, it’s another method to “be still”. However, to reinforce what the Bible states, “Be Still and know I am God” Psalm 46:10, and according to Yogananda this Psalm verse is the key to the science of Yoga. Humanity has become so engrossed in material survival that it forces us all to not be aware of what is happening to us. It’s exactly what “they” want so they can impose their superficial, garbage systems on us …HARD PASS.
Why am I bringing up Yoga Nidra? Yoga Nidra…for absolute relaxation, you must be aware. Yoga Nidra is the state of dynamic sleep. One appears to be asleep, but their consciousness is functioning at a deeper level of awareness. It’s rotational consciousness in the body, which originated from the tantric practice of nyasa which means to “take the mind to that point.” Nyasa was a means of working with the physical body by instilling a higher awareness or divine consciousness. Notice this is all sober … there are no external substances involved. The practice of Yoga Nidra enables one to receive intuitions from the unconscious mind. The intuitions received in Yoga Nidra enables one to find within his or herself the answers to all problems. The real self emerges. Yoga Nidra was introduced to Military veterans by Richard Miller under his creation “I rest,” which is his evidence informed framework that was adapted from Yoga Nidra. There has been much success in working with Veterans to reduce PTSD. You can read about “I-rest” here: I Rest
From a Woman’s standpoint, what has happened is that women have absorbed more stress than men in recent decades, because they still bear the responsibility of having and raising children, being caretakers and homemakers, but are now also in many cases expected to be wage-earners to contribute to the household for simple survival. As a woman to balance your feminine energy you must carve out time to create a space of calm, a meditative type space to reconnect to your inner divine essence. In addition, as the world gets even crazier it might be a tool you want to have in your tool belt. We now have stress related disorders severely impacting our health and wellness. “The mind-body connection accounts for the increased rates of many diseases, because chronic stress levels throughout our society at large have been steadily increasing, and with them, mental and physical issues as well.” Gabor Mate has called attention to two important characteristics of today’s culture
1. We have increased stress due to circumstances we did not evolve to live in
2. We have decreased attunement with each other due to a lack of connection…not only with ourselves, but with others
In conclusion chronic stress has become an increasing and rising social problem that must not be normalized.
Now let’s talk psychosomatic illnesses:
Diabetes, hypertension, migraines, asthma, ulcers, digestive disorders and skin diseases all arise from tensions that take up space in the mind and body. Cancer and heart disease also stem from tension …..tension from keeping up with a material driven world. All the tensions reside within us muscularly, mentally, and emotionally. Why aren’t you sleeping well? … Because you are never relaxed and are not free from mental, muscular, and emotional tensions. The practice of Yoga Nidra is the scientific method of removing these tensions.
“It systematically changes and cycles through brain wave states, lowering beta and increasing alpha, theta and delta for the better. Yoga Nidra literally changes the ‘fluctuations of the mind’ by slowing down brain wave frequencies. Biological sleep only refreshes the bodymind and cannot promote self-realization like yoga nidra can. Feelings of meditative expansiveness are objective biological facts that can be measured in DNA, neurotransmitters, brain waves and more. The physical body changes as the mind changes.” -Julie Lusk
For a more in depth read on Yoga Nidra and brain waves you can read about it all here: Brain Waves and Yoga Nidra
This is where I’d like to also add a Sound Healing has many similarities as Yoga Nidra!
Here are some fun facts!
Yoga Nidra is similar to meditation, though it’s different because it’s classified as rotational consciousness. The consciousness is in a state between waking and sleep, but subject to neither. I think why I’ve really come to value Yoga Nidra, again a guide and gateway for inner peace …is that it assists humanity with inner peace so that unhealthy coping mechanisms are discarded of. Because at the end of the day, addictions bring us negative consequences no matter what it is. We are able to cultivate an inner relief of calm and truly witness and feel the sense of calm. We are learning to let go of what is gripping on to us, to just BE, and experience a field of radiant sensations that ultimately arrive us at a state of calm, peace, and serenity. Who needs more of that? We all do!
I dabbled with Yoga Nidra after my heel reconstructive surgery as a substitution for pain pills-it worked! It doesn’t have to be physical pain, it can be emotional pain. Where there is pain, addictions slip in. As Gabor states, addiction is a desperate attempt to escape suffering. The primary problem in addiction is an attempt to soothe suffering and the pain, have control, and it is always rooted in trauma. No one chooses to suffer. I then grew deeper into Yoga Nidra with my Yoga Therapy training, I fell in love with the deeper connection to myself and the divine experiences I encountered. Are you willing to give yourself permission to reunite with your divine essence of purity all while being sober?
There are many guided Yoga Nidra meditations on the app insight timer, Spotify and YouTube. When it comes to guided meditations the key is finding a voice that allows you to feel calm and safe. I will post one I personally like below, but again at the end of the day you gotta find what RESONATES for you. I’ve also posted a Yoga Nidra for kiddos!
10 minute Yoga Nidra: Yoga Nidra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_noquwycq78
Kids Yoga Nidra: Kids Yoga Nidra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ4CLokxor8&t=2s
With love and Namaste - I love you ❤️