YOGA NIDRA
Image shot: Suzi Kali @ Tucsi Yoga
Book: Yoga Nidra Swami Satyananda Saraswati
In everyday life we are in constant use of our sympathetic nervous system while exercising, running from one meeting to the next, or even responding to the constant calling of our mobile phones. The fight and flight mode taps the energy right out of all of us.
There is no need to panic as we just may have a great yogic sleeping tool available that can help us combat through life’s un-wanted stresses called Yoga Nidra.
What is Yoga Nidra?
Yoga Nidra is a guided systematic method for inducing complete physical, mental & emotional relaxation by laying in Shavasana (corpse pose). Yay!!
Is there anyone that doesn’t love Shavasana?
With the pose being favorable and having benefits of releasing hypertension, inducing better sleep, and even giving the ability to train the monkey mind new tricks. I say, “let’s get started!”
During my Hatha yoga class I begin and end with a full body scan. It is a nice way to start to see how the body is feeling before and how the movement of energy had improved within the physical body after mantra, pranayama, mudra, and asana practice is complete.
Body scans give my students not only a short deep meditation but also the opportunity to realize where tension resides. With deep breathing exercises the tension is released which results in relaxation. My yogi’s take this zen feeling with them into the following week.
In order to be able to deepen and guide my students even further into relaxation, I decided to read the book called Yoga Nidra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and take a Yoga Nidra course given by Ram Jain at the Arhanta Yoga Ashram online.
During the past month of October, I have been studying, practicing, and sometimes even … Yes! ‘falling asleep during’ Yoga Nidra. This - while the biggest line within the introduction guiding text is literally ‘You are practicing Yoga Nidra - DO NOT SLEEP!’
Note taken to self: Do not practice after a meal.
So yes, as I lay there trying not to fall asleep, following my favorite 30 min Yoga Nidra session from Swami Niranjananadana, my body becomes softer with each breath, my body releases deeper into the ground. This is where my favorite part comes - I call it the wishing stage - setting your Sankalp.
A Sankalp is designed for you to set an intention of a deep embedded desire that you hold. An intention which you would truly like to see come into your life. It is repeated 3 times mentally.
A short, sweet and positive moto will do. Something along the lines of – I will be happy, healthy, calm and wise.
After making your intention, you are taken through a quick systematic body scan which trains your brain to move your energy through your physical body. Thereafter the focus is brought to breath awareness and to the rotation of opposites. Hearing Close/Far, Body laying Deep/ Floating, Feeling Cold/Hot ...etc.
These Yoga Nidra practices leave the consciousness temporarily suspended. So, you are lingering between sub-conscious and conscious in-between the Alpha and Theta waves states of sleep. Now - this is where the yogic magic happens.
As Niranjan’s words tell me to visualize my full body and to release any tension that may be present. I do exactly as I am guided. At this stage, all positive visualizations of objects, stories or situations teach or push aside old thoughts or patterns of behavior in the sub-conscious. So, after repeating my Sankalpa 3 more times and being brought back to my external surroundings. I feel content and at ease.
It really amazes me how our bodies work and how a little inner soul searching can bring out so much change. Not only has Yoga Nidra been medically proven on having positive reactions on the mind and body but also for cancer and heart patients. This is truly a great practice for all of our 3 bodies – the physical, astral and spiritual.
If my words have made you curious and you are interested in trying out Yoga Nidra - book a private session with me. The 1 ½ hour session will included asana, pranayama, meditation and 30 mins of Yoga Nidra.
Just be careful of which intention you set. They just might become reality! Mine have.
Hari Om Tat Sat
