Things you should know about Yoga Nidra

If you are a yoga enthusiast and want to make your sessions more beneficial, then this post is for you!  Yoga Nidra, also known as yogic sleep, is a must after any yoga session. It’s a way to make the most of your yoga sessions and channelize the energies produced.  It helps you calm your mind and body by taking your attention to each part of the body and relaxing them. This is the best combination you can ask for as fitness coupled with relaxation can bring harmony into your mind and body, make you feel happy and relaxed. Interested to know more? Read on!

Here’s all that you need to know about this practice!

Why is it important?

Yoga nidra is important not only because of its cooling effect but also, because during yoga sessions, your body increases its energy levels and in order to conserve and consolidate those, yoga nidra is essential. In times like today when a huge number of population is fighting one or the other kind of illness, yoga nidra becomes a rescue for most of it. It is a method of inducing complete mental, emotional and physical relaxation. It also prepares you for meditation and pranayama, aiding you and making you cope with the physical, emotional and mental illness.

Also, many may confuse yoga nidra with shavasana but, there is a thin line between these two that make the difference. Shavasana is an asana that may allow one to experience yoga nidra. This is a posture whereas yoga nidra is a state where you relax your body but, your mind stays awake. It is a state between sleep and awakeness.

Prerequisites

The essentials to keep in mind before going for a Yoga nidra session are:

1. Your stomach should be empty or light before beginning the practice of yoga nidra.
2. The place where you practice yoga nidra should be comfortable, calm and clutter free.

Benefits

Yoga postures may make your body warm and take its energy levels up, yoga nidra helps you to:

1. Cool down your body after a high yoga session.
2. Restore and bring your body back to its normal temperatures.
3. Activate your nervous system thereby, making it capable of absorbing the effects of yoga asanas.

How to do Yoga Nidra

1. While lying straight on your back, close your eyes and relax. Take deep breaths slowly.
2. Take your attention to the right foot, hold your attention there for a few seconds and relax. Then, move your attention to the thigh, knee and waist. Be aware of your right leg by taking your attention to each part of it.
3. Repeat the process for the other leg.
4. Now, move your attention to other parts of your body.
5. Then, repeat the process with your arms and relax them.
6. Take deep breaths and observe the sensations that you will feel in your body as you will be more aware of each and every part of it. Relax and stay in this position for a while.
7. Now, after becoming aware of your body, turn to your right side. Turning to the right side makes you breathe through your left nostril which assists you to cool the body.
8. Sit up when you are comfortable and wish to. Then, gradually open your eyes.

The idea behind yoga nidra is to become aware of your body just by focusing your attention to different parts. Relax with awareness, relax your mind and body consciously. Also, it’s natural to get random thoughts during the session. Do not forcefully stop those thoughts as the idea is to relax your body and mind. Moreover, while doing yoga nidra your body and mind might get relaxed and you might fall asleep during the practice.

Yoga nidra is a relaxation session that can prove to be the source of joy, relaxation and peace. Incorporate it in your daily life to get better results out of your yoga session. Also, it will be a great way to improve your mental as well as physical health. If you are interested to know more about your health and become healthy contact us at, Gympik.