Deep Sleep (Yoga Nidra) Meditation brings the meditator in a state between sleep and wakefulness, offering deep relaxation(1).

The meaning of Yoga Nidra is “psychic sleep(1)”. During this meditation, the practitioners can maintain awareness while connecting to subconsciousness and higher consciousness(1). 

A well-spent day brings happy sleep.

-Leonardo da Vinci

Many people go to bed still worrying about life and life’s problems. This interferes with the quality of their sleep, resulting in lethargy and sleepiness in the morning. Practicing Yoga Nidra Meditation before sleeping, relaxes the mind and body, which leads to deeper and better sleep(1).    

Deep Sleep (Yoga Nidra) Meditation requires you to make an objective or resolve (Sankalpa). It has to be a short sentence of moral significance that is important to you(1). For example, “I will be kinder”. During the meditation, this resolve can become implanted in your subconscious to help you make powerful changes in your day-to-day life. This method of meditation can also help you cure certain mental illnesses and change unwanted habits(1).     

History/Origins

There are some debates regarding the exact origin of Deep Sleep (Yoga Nidra) Meditation(2). Some believe that the practice comes from Vishnuist teachings, while others think that Yoga Nidra originated from tantric Shaivism(2). However, there are also traces of it found in Vedantic and Buddhist schools, both in India and outside(2). 

Arise, awake, stop not till the goal is reached.

-Swami Vivekananda

Benefits of Yoga Nidra

A very recent study(3) has shown that practicing Deep Sleep (Yoga Nidra) Meditation even for a short time has a positive impact on sleep, stress, and overall well-being. A research article published in the International Journal of Yoga(4), also confirms that this meditation method can successfully reduce stress. The article also suggests that Deep Sleep (Yoga Nidra) Meditation is an effective technique for managing anxiety. 

 

References

  1. Prakash Pubns & Export | Meditations from the Tantras by Swami Satyananda Saraswati 
  2. Inner Traditions/Bear | Yoga Nidra Meditation: The Sleep of the Sages by Pierre Bonnasse
  3. Current Psychology | 2020 | Effectiveness of a short Yoga Nidra meditation on stress, sleep, and well-being in a large and diverse sample by Esther N. Moszeik, Timo von Oertzen and Karl-Heinz Renner
  4. International Journal of Yoga | Volume 11, Issue 3 | 2018 | The Impact of Yoga Nidra and Seated Meditation on the Mental Health of College Professors by Camila Ferreira-Vorkapic, Claudio Joaquim Borba-Pinheiro, Murilo Marchioro and Daniel Santana