Yoga nidra: yoga that takes care of your well-being

The origin of yoga nidra

Yoga nidra or “yogic sleep” is a practice of conscious, deep relaxation that dates back thousands of years. It is a guided meditation technique that has become popular over the past decade due to its many physical, mental and emotional benefits. But how was this method born, what are its principles and its benefits? This is what we will find out right away. 

The development of yoga nidra

Its origins date back to the ancient practices of India, more than 2,000 years ago, notably in the Upanishad texts which inspired the yoga sutra of Patanjali. In these texts, yoga nidra was described as a deep meditation technique aiming to achieve a state of consciousness between wakefulness and sleep in which the yogi could connect to his inner being and awaken his spiritual being. Thus, the practitioner could transcending the limitations of body and mind to reach a higher state of consciousness. 

Its evolution today

In the 20th century, yoga nidra began to become popular thanks to a monk and disciple of Swami Sivananda, Swami Satyananda. In 1963, he founded the Bihar School of yoga, where he incorporated the concept of yoga nidra. 

If yoga nidra classes could be set up, it is because Satyananda succeeded in developing a yoga nidra structure, accessible to everyone and that combines ancestral methods with modern relaxation and meditation techniques. Then this form of yoga was taught all over the world. Then works were published, contributing to its popularization in yoga circles. 

Today, yoga nidra remains a method of deep relaxation, accessible to all levels.

The principles of yoga nidra

You will have understood, yoga nidra aims to harmonize body, mind and soul. For this combination to work, yoga nidra is based on Fundamental principles which we will explore now. 

Intent and resolution

This principle, Sankalpa in Sanskrit, teaches you the power of clear and positive intention and how to use it to make positive changes in your life. 

Before learning to use this principle, we must try to understand it. It's about a will and a powerful and positive resolution which should be a personal and profound statement. The resolution should not be a simple declaration of a wish or desire but a affirmation of your inner truth in accordance with your deep values and your most ambitious aspirations.   

Furthermore, before starting your yoga nidra session, you are invited to think about this principle. Therefore, you can create a intent related to a specific domain such as your personal relationships, health or even personal development. Thus, you program your subconscious mind to act in accordance with your intention. Subsequently, a new neural pathway that reinforces your positive belief opens. 

Sankalpa during the session

Finally, sankalpa is say again twice during your session. It arrives at two key moments: at the beginning and at the end of the course. They are not chosen at random, in fact, it is because they correspond to particularly receptive states of consciousness. What do these states correspond to? At the start of the session, your mind is relaxed and open, while at the end, it is imbued with deep calm. Additionally, the action of repeating with conviction and faith strengthens its impact on your subconscious. 

Physical and mental relaxation

Physical and mental relaxation play a major role in yoga nidra. It is about guiding practitioners towards a state of deep calm For release back tension and mental. We will see what this principle consists of. 

Physical relaxation is one of the first things done in yoga nidra. When you prepare for the session, you lie comfortably on your back in the savasana posture, often used for relaxation yoga, effective position for eliminate all tension et completely relax your body. 

Furthermore, during the session your instructor invites you to concentrate on different parts of your body, consciously relaxing them one by one. This allows to release gradually the blockages energy as well as relieve physical pain and of allow the body to regenerate. 

Physical relaxation is essential since it sets the stage for mental relaxation. Indeed, if the body is relaxed, the mind resists less and becomes receptive to relaxation. 

Mental relaxation   

Mental relaxation can be achieved when your body is perfectly relaxed. From then on you observe and evacuate your present thoughts and emotions in your mind. As you practice, your mind calms, thoughts diminish, and tranquility sets in. At that point you reach a peaceful state of consciousness.  

Exploration of the unconscious

Meditation involves exploring the depths of the inner being. This trip allows you to release emotional blockages and of understand thought patterns. 

During a session, you are in a semi-awake state of consciousness; semi-asleep. This is where the exploration begins. Of the visualization techniques, symbols and metaphors so that you can explore the deep layers of your mind. 

This technique is interesting because it allows you to visit aspects of yourself that you may be ignoring or repressing. So you confront your fears, desires, limiting thought patterns or traumas in order to to understand and to accept. 

The positive points of exploring the unconscious 

One of the benefits of exploring the unconscious is the release of emotional blockages. Very often, you accumulate negative, unresolved emotions and trauma that turn into stress, anger or sadness. But yoga nidra gives these feelings the opportunity to express themselves safely. 

The goal of this experience is to accept and observe these emotions without judgment. This way you will be healed emotionally and you will be able to make room for more positive emotions. 

accept yourself

Furthermore, it is also an opportunity to understand your thought patterns and deeply held beliefs. Moreover, these have often been acquired over time, this is what shapes our behavior and our choices. But, by observing them in a detached way, you can question these beliefs and transform them into positive and constructive thoughts. Thus, changing your perspective and having the opportunity to create a more fulfilling reality.  

Connection to Turiya State

Connecting to the state of turiya is the deepest principle of yoga nidra. Indeed, it is a transcendent state which goes well beyond the three main states, that is, waking, dreaming and deep sleep. The turiya takes you to a higher consciousness experience. 

In the world of yoga nidra, turiya is considered the fourth state of consciousness. It surpasses the three states mentioned above. Indeed, awakening is the stage where you are aware of the environment around you. Regarding the dream, it represents your inner imaginary world. Finally, sleep is a state of rest without dreams. Turiya is above these states. He is described as a state of pure consciousness which does not understand the fluctuations of the mind nor the body nor the spirit. It is a state where you become your true essence as soul. Now you are free from the limits of time and space. 

How to access the turiya? 

Moreover, this is the particularity of yoga nidra, it is the only form of yoga where you can experience turiya. Just like meditation, you are guided into a state of deep relaxation and of awareness. You are fully awake and conscious. To access turiya, you can perform visualization, meditation or mantra repetition techniques. So you feel a feeling of oneness with the universe as well as a expansion of consciousness. You come out with a clearer perception of reality. 

The course of a yoga nidra session 

A yoga nidra session corresponds to an inner journey where the practitioner is guided through different stages to reach a higher state of full consciousness. Let's explore the typical flow of a yoga nidra session.

The first step is the preparation. The latter consists of creating a space conducive to relaxation, by lying comfortably on your back in the savasana posture with arms and legs slightly apart. 

Then, the session begins with a progressive physical relaxation. Afterwards, your guide invites you to pay attention to different parts of your body, starting with your feet and ending with your head. You are encouraged to relax parts of your body, releasing tension and letting stress escape. 

Preparing for the unconscious journey 

Furthermore, it is a crucial step for prepare the body for a state of deep relaxation and to allow you to fully connect to the present moment. 

The session continues with the relaxation mental. You should focus on your breathing, observing the flow of air through your nostrils. This stops your intrusive thoughts and brings your mind into the present moment. 

Third, once your body and mind are completely relaxed, you are ready to explore the unconscious. Your guide uses techniques of visualization, metaphors and symbols to delve into the depths of your mind to clear your emotional blockages and discover heightened levels of consciousness. 

End of session

Once this step is completed, you are invited to make a intention clear and positive, repeated once mentally with conviction and faith. It's a way to bring positivity into your life. 

The session continues with the return to ordinary consciousness. To do this, the stages of relaxation are reversed since the attention is focused on breathing and you become aware of your lying body. 

Finally, the session ends with a few moments of silence so that you integrate the experience and return fully to your waking state. 

The benefits

This yoga technique offers many benefits for physical, mental and emotional health. here are the benefits to practice yogic sleep: 

• Reduced stress and anxiety

• Improved sleep quality

• Relief from anxiety and depression

• Better concentration and mental clarity

• Strengthening self-confidence

• Development of creativity

The key points of yoga nidra

Yoga nidra has been around for over 2,000 years and originates from the ancient Upanishads texts. It is based on 4 large principles  : 

• Intent and resolution

• Physical and mental relaxation

• Exploration of the unconscious

• Connection to Turiya Summer

If you are curious to know how to conduct a session of yoga nidra, it is broken down in this way: 

• Preparation

• Progressive physical relaxation

• Mental relaxation

• Exploration of the unconscious

• Intention

• Return to ordinary consciousness

• Silent recovery

Then here are some profits that you can get from a session: 

• Reduced stress and anxiety

• Better sleep quality

• Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression

• Improved concentration and mental clarity

• Gaining self-confidence
• Development of creativity

Be relaxed at POSES

Did the state between sleep and consciousness appeal to you? It's time to test mindfulness at POSES. Relax for 50-minute immersive workout sessions. Be relaxed while doing the yoga movements, transitions and postures the most popular in yoga! 

Enjoy our studio with soft lighting and follow the movements of our coaches who will motivate you with playlists made especially for you!