Yoga Nidra developed from Samkhya, a philosophy built on the premise of dualism.
According to Sankya Philosophy that the world is made of two elements – matter and consciousness. The practice involves deep breathing and visualization and can be more effective than meditation for some people. It can help you transition between sleep and wakefulness and get better sleep quality.
Involves slowing down and chilling out. So does meditation. While some people tend to lump them together, they really are two different practices. It is like meditation, but yet it’s not. With yoga nidra, you are lying down and the goal is to move into a deep state of conscious awareness sleep, which is a deeper state of relaxation with awareness. This state involves moving from consciousness while awake to dreaming and then to not-dreaming while remaining awake going past the unconscious to the conscious. Traditionally you meditate in a seated position, whilst Yoga Nidra is always practiced laying down.
Yoga Nidra is a practice of deep relaxation and self-awareness that can reduce stress, anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia. It can also improve health, well-being, creativity, focus, learning, communication, and relationships. Deep breathing and visualization can be more effective than meditation for some people. It can help you transition between sleep and wakefulness and get better sleep quality. The benefits are plentiful and range from better sleep to reduced stress and beyond.
Some Resources to learn more
Yoga Nidra Network
Yoga Journal
The Art of Living
Image credit
Srivastav Pannaty, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons