Yoga Nidra

Derived from the Tantras, this is a powerful technique in which you learn to relax consciously. In Yoga Nidra, sleep is not regarded as relaxation, true relaxation is actually an experience far beyond all this. For absolute relaxation you must remain aware, Yoga Nidra is the state of dynamic sleep. The term Yoga Nidra is derived from two Sanskrit words, Yoga meaning union or one-pointed awareness, and Nidra meaning sleep.

During the practice, one appears to be asleep, but the consciousness is functioning at a deeper level of awareness. For this reason, Yoga Nidra is often referred to as psychic sleep or deep relaxation with inner awareness. In this threshold state between sleep and wakefulness, contact with the subconscious and unconscious dimensions occurs spontaneously.

In Yoga Nidra, the state of relaxation is reached by turning inwards, away from outer experiences. If the consciousness can be separated from external awareness and from sleep, it becomes very powerful and can be applied in many ways, for example, to develop memory, increase knowledge and creativity, or transform one’s nature.

In the Raja Yoga of Patanjali, there is a state called Pratyahara where the mind and mental awareness are dissociated from the sensory channels. Yoga Nidra is one aspect of Pratyahara which leads to the higher states of Samadhi or concentration.