There's A Buzzword In Yoga Nidra, But Does It Live Up To Its Reputation?

Recently, yoga nidra is gaining a lot more attention. What is it exactly? Does it live up the hype? We asked experts for their take on yoga nidra.

What happens when you do yoga nidra?

Yoga nidra combines guided imagery with the supine lying pose known as Shavasana. Maren Nyer PhD, director of Yoga Studies and assistant professor of psychology in Harvard Medical School, says that it promotes deep relaxation, while still maintaining awareness.

Nyer explains that during a yoga nidra, the instructor "guides an individual into a state of deep relaxation by using specific techniques at different stages." This practice helps to relieve emotional tension and relax muscles, as well as calm the nervous system.

What is the difference between yoga nidra and meditation?

Yoga Nidra is a form of guided meditation that also incorporates the relaxation and movement of yoga. Yoga Nidra is a form of guided meditation that uses the movement and relaxation common to yoga. Larkin says that "Yoga Nidra" is the easiest form of meditation. You simply lay down and let the teacher guide you by holding your awareness in various parts of your own body.

What is the purpose of yoga nidra?

Larkin says the goal is to "promote a restful systematic unwinding" of your unconscious. e Larkin says that while it was initially designed to help yoga practitioners gain greater awareness, many students use it to fall asleep.

Who shouldn't do yoga nidra?

Nyer explains that the only people who might not want to practice yoga nidra would be those with mental disorders.

Yoga Nidra is a practice that can improve sleep and mental health for everyone else. Larkin says that the deeply therapeutic exercise involves a series of steps with a focus on shifting awareness from the outside world to the inner world.