Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra, also called Yogic Sleep, it is based on the principles of the tantric tradition. 
Its ultimate goal is the awakening of awareness, through a state of deep meditation. 
To achieve the union between the universal mind and the self, the Yoga Nidra experience is a sort of “dynamic sleep”, during which the body is absorbed in a peaceful half-sleep, while the Consciousness works inwardly to elevate itself towards the liberation.
Yoga Nidra, through this ancient meditative technique which is recognized by the most modern discoveries in the field of neuroscience, promotes a release of physical and mental tensions, in order to let the Awareness emerge spontaneously.

Origins of Yoga Nidra

The modern codification of this style is due to Swami Satyananda Saraswati (1923-2009), an internationally renowned yogi, born in a small village at the foot of Mount Himalaya. The master developed the practice of Sleep Yoga in different stages marked by precise rhythms, in order to simulate the state in which one finds oneself just before falling asleep, or rather a condition of partial wakefulness in which the mind becomes extremely receptive and open to intuition.

Poses and lesson execution

The lesson takes place under the guidance of an instructor who leads the students, step by step, through the various stages of meditation.

The whole practice is done in a lying position (Shavasana) and is divided into four distinct phases:

1. Sankalpa
   The definition of the goal, the intention, to which we want to concentrate during the session. It may be a desire for improvement towards a certain aspect of one‘s life, a request for additional energies to overcome a difficult test or to obtain specific physical benefits or psychological support.

1. Rotation of Consciousness
   The instructor‘s voice guides the practitioner to the relaxation of each individual body district, freeing the muscle chains from harmful tensions and entering a state of total physical release, very close to real sleep.

1. Awakening of Opposite Sensations
   In order to awaken and balance the two hemispheres of the brain, sensations in contrast to each other (pleasure-pain, hot-cold, etc.) are recalled in the mind of the practitioner.

1. Visualising
   In this stage, the instructor suggests visualizations that can focus on body size or project the student out of it. These images are healing impulses and vibrating energy which operate on a deep layer of consciousness.

Benefits of Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra is capable of giving a feeling of vigor and wellbeing immediately from the first session. Its regular practice not only improves the efficiency of cognitive functions, but also promotes the regeneration of tissues, the reorganization of the nervous system, and the balance of the endocrine system. Moreover, this ancient discipline is an excellent weapon against stress and effectively acts as a deterrent to psychosomatic disorders such as anxiety, depression and insomnia.

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