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Elyse

Yoga Nidra: What it is, Benefits & a Practice

Happy 2021 Yogis!


It certainly feels weird saying 2021, but it also instills a sense of hope. We may still have a windy and bumpy road ahead, but we are truly strong and powerful beings. It's incredible what we can do (especially as a community) and what we will do. However, with the holidays behind us and a long winter still ahead, I wanted to talk about Yoga Nidra and how it might help you to find moments of ease and reduced stress.


Yoga Nidra, also known as Yogic Sleep, is a form of a meditation practice. In Yoga Nidra, you typically lie on your back and are guided through a meditation where you rest in a state of consciousness between being awake and asleep. Although it is personal preference, I encourage yogis to use any blankets, pillows or props that they need to lay in a comfortable position for a longer period of time. You can even do this practice in your bed, right before you go to sleep.


There are many benefits to Yoga Nidra, including, but not limited to:

•Reduced stress

•Better sleep and overall feeling more rested

•Release tension

•Connect with and get to know yourself more

•Its accessible to everyone!


Since Yoga Nidra takes you through breath work, body scans and various visualizations, you are able to relax, notice your breath, sensations you may be feeling throughout your body, and then notice and detach from thoughts that may come up for you. Some even say that just 45 minutes of Yoga Nidra is like 3 hours of sleep. While that is up for debate, the practice is so simple and still helps you to feel refreshed and even sleep better. The best part about all of this though, is that that there really is no wrong way to practice.


So yogis, let's kick off 2021 by continuing to take care of ourselves. Lay in a comfortable position and try this 30 minute Yoga Nidra practice.




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