Yoga Nidra – Santa Cruz Ayurveda

The time period Yoga Nidra (योग निद्रा) comes from two Sanskrit phrases:

• Yoga (योग) – that means union, integration, or concord.
• Nidra (निद्रा) – that means sleep.

Collectively, Yoga Nidra interprets as “yogic sleep” or “the sleep of the yogi.”

It refers to not abnormal sleep however to a state of acutely aware deep rest, the place the physique rests whereas the thoughts stays conscious. Within the Ayurvedic and yogic traditions, it’s thought of a bridge between waking and sleeping consciousness, a state of pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses).

Ayurvedic Perspective

From an Ayurvedic standpoint, Yoga Nidra is a apply that balances the doshas (the three elementary energies governing the physique and thoughts):

• Vata dosha (air & ether): calmed by grounding, stillness, and rest, Yoga Nidra soothes the nervous system, relieving nervousness and restlessness.
• Pitta dosha (hearth & water): cooled by give up and non-striving, Yoga Nidra reduces irritability, overwork, and burnout.
• Kapha dosha (earth & water): gently stimulated by aware consciousness, Yoga Nidra counters lethargy and emotional stagnation.

As a result of it harmonizes all three doshas, Yoga Nidra is seen as a tridoshic apply and is helpful for everybody when practiced frequently.

Bodily Advantages (Sharira advantages)

From each Ayurvedic and fashionable physiological views, Yoga Nidra induces deep parasympathetic activation (the “rest-and-digest” response). Key advantages embody:

1. Nervous system restoration – Calms the Vata imbalance liable for stress and insomnia.
2. Improved sleep high quality – Replaces stressed or shallow sleep with deeper relaxation.
3. Hormonal stability – Helps adrenal and thyroid well being by decreasing cortisol ranges.
4. Enhanced immunity – Promotes ojas (very important essence) by conserving prana and decreasing oxidative stress.
5. Ache reduction – Reduces muscular pressure and persistent ache related to Vata aggravation.

Psychological & Refined Advantages (Manas and Atma Advantages)

Yoga Nidra not solely impacts the physique but additionally profoundly influences the thoughts (manas) and consciousness (atma):

Reduces nervousness and melancholy – By quieting the thoughts and grounding the nervous system.

Improves focus and readability – Enhances sattva guna (the standard of stability and purity) within the thoughts.

Emotional therapeutic – Permits suppressed feelings to floor safely and dissolve.

Will increase self-awareness – Results in perception into one’s samskaras (deep psychological patterns).

Non secular awakening – In deeper levels, the practitioner experiences the witness state (sakshi bhava), realizing the separation between consciousness and thought.

Ayurvedic Yoga Nidra Apply

Beneath is an outline of tips on how to do your individual Yoga Nidra apply at residence. You might also discover a guided meditation on-line to hearken to as you do the apply.

Preparation

• Time: Historically practiced within the night earlier than sleep or through the noon relaxation interval.
• Area: Quiet, dimly lit room; pure materials (cotton or wool) beneath you.
• Posture: Lie in Shavasana (corpse pose) with arms relaxed, palms dealing with upward, toes barely aside. Help knees or head as wanted with pillows.
• Intention (Sankalpa): Type a brief, constructive affirmation within the current tense. For instance,
  “I’m calm and balanced.”
  This seeds transformation within the unconscious thoughts.

Sequence (~15-Half-hour)

1. Centering and Intention

• • Start by setting your intention thrice mentally.
  • Really feel gratitude and readiness to obtain deep relaxation.

2. Physique Consciousness

1. • Gently transfer consciousness via the physique, half by half (proper foot → proper leg → torso → head).
   • Observe sensations with out making an attempt to alter them.

3. Breath Consciousness

1. • Discover your pure respiratory.
   • Start gradual, diaphragmatic breaths — lengthening the exhalation.
   • Visualize prana (very important power) spreading evenly all through the physique.

4. Sense Withdrawal

• • Let consciousness draw inward.
  • Think about the senses turning off like lamps — sight, sound, scent, style, contact.
  • Consciousness stays awake whereas the bodily physique rests.

5. Visualization and Interior Journey

• • Use calming visualizations in response to your dosha:

• • • • Vata: Golden gentle across the stomach; think about roots extending out of your backbone into the earth.
      • Pitta: Flowing water, moonlight on a lake, cool blue gentle descending into the guts.
      • Kapha: Rising daylight energizing the guts and lungs; feeling gentle and clear.

6. Witnessing and Bliss

• • Observe ideas and emotions as passing clouds. Relaxation within the consciousness that’s observing. Finally, there may be solely silence, lightness, and peace.

7. Return

• • Gently deepen your breath.
  • Wiggle fingers and toes, stretch the physique.
  • Sit up slowly, recalling your intention (sankalpa) as soon as extra.

We hope that you just loved studying about Yoga Nidra and that you’ll be able to give it a attempt quickly. If it feels too formidable to attempt the apply at residence, you might be able to discover a guided group session at your native yoga studio.

11/13/25