Yoga Nidra

Yoga-Nidra Meditaton is dynamic state of deep conscious relaxation.It has two main futures, full relaxation of body and mind, and strong motivation - Sankalpa.This combination can change all your life around!When your rational mind is resting your subconsciousness becomes more active that develops ideal ground for planting the seeds of sankalpa.




Yoga-nidra may be rendered in English as "yoga sleep". It is a sleep-like state of consciousness that occurs with some practitioners of meditation, details of which have been handed down by guru-to-disciple transmission (parampara) within the Indian religions. These aspects may include relaxation and guided visualization techniques as well as the psychology of dream, sleep and yoga.

During meditation the practitioner lies down in shavasana posture to experience the full effect of relaxation and follows guided instructions of the teacher.The practice of Yoga-Nidra has been found to reduce tension and anxiety and increase relaxation. The autonomic symptoms of high anxiety such as headache, giddiness, chest pain,  sweating, abdominal pain respond well. It has been used to help soldiers from war cope with Posttraumatic stress disorders and traumas.

Yoga-nidra was popularised Swami Satyananda Saraswati.He learned it when he was living with his guru Swami Shivananda in Rishikesh.He explained Yoga-nidra as a state of mind between wakefulness and dream that deep phases of the mind, suggesting a connection with the ancient tantric practice called nyasa.

One appears to be sleeping but the unconscious mind is functioning at a deeper level: it is conscious sleep with deep awareness. In normal sleep we lose track of our self but in yoga-nidra, while consciousness of the world is dim and relaxation is deep, there remains an inward lucidity and experiences may be absorbed at much deeper level and to be recalled later. Since yoga-nidra involves an aimless and effortless relaxation it is often held to be best practised with yoga teacher who verbally delivers instructions.

The form of practice taught by Swami Satyananda includes eight stages - Internalisation, Sankalpa, Rotation of Consciousness, Breath Awareness, Manifestation of Opposites, Creative Visualization, Sankalpa and Externalisation.

Every Wednesday 6 pm Yoga-Nidra Guided Meditations
at Himalaya Charity Shop, 20 South Clerk street, Edinburgh