How A Bit Of Sleep Can Improve Your Overall Yoga Experience
Yoga works to not only build strength, flexibility and focus, but also brings a deep sense of calm to the body and mind. A yoga teacher training offers the opportunity to rejuvenate your mind while also adding vigour to your body.
It is recommended to close your daily yoga session with a stint of Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep). A valuable addition to any yoga training session, it helps you become aware of the different parts of your body while relaxing them.
While a yoga session results in increased energy levels in the body, Yoga Nidra helps to consolidate and conserve this energy. This serves to relax the entire body, preparing it for meditation.
Performing Yoga Nidra
Lie on your back in corpse pose (Shavasana). Relax, close your eyes and draw in a few deep breaths and exhale. Make sure that your breathing is slow and relaxed.
Focus your attention on your right foot. Keeping your attention there proceed to consciously relax your foot for a few seconds. Proceed to move your attention up the leg, the ankle, calf, knee, thigh and hip. Relax your whole right leg in this manner.
Similarly, repeat the process for your left leg. Proceed to focus your attention on other parts of the body: the pelvic area, belly, chest and shoulders.
Draw your attention to your right shoulder and then onto the upper arms and forearms, palms and fingertips. After repeating this for the left arm, move onto the neck and face, finally ending at the top of your head.
Draw in deep breaths and consciously experience the sensation in your body. Stay in this relaxed state for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
Take your time, roll onto your right side and stay there for some time, to allow your blood pressure to return to its normal level of homeostasis while at the same time relieving pressure off your heart. Slowly rise to a seated position, and once you feel comfortable, gradually open your eyes.
Benefits of Yoga Nidra
Prepares the nervous system to absorb the benefits of asanas.
Though one may think that yoga nidra is no different from sleep, experienced yogis will tell you that the practice is more relaxing than mere deep sleep. Regular practice can change your sleeping patterns for the better.
Helps sharpen your mind, enabling one to process information faster. Regular practice of yoga nidra can help alleviate depression as well as anxiety. Practicing regularly is recommended for students and those who have to constantly exercise their intellect.
Doing yoga nidra on a consistent basis also cures a lot of health problems including digestive issues, ulcers, asthma, hypertension, migraine, insomnia etc.
Yoga nidra could provide relief for those who are tired of feeling stressed all the time.
Advanced yoga practitioners are of the opinion that yoga nidra can awaken the inner self.
Yoga Nidra is an effortless, yet effective way to end any yoga session. Let go, relax and indulge in the effortless experience that follows.
