We typically associate yoga with complex poses that only the flexible can do. But what if I told you that you can still do yoga without any challenging moves? Not just that, but without even moving a muscle?
Practising any kind of yoga is a deeply calming, rejuvenating, and healing experience. Not only is it easy to practice (at least yoga positions for beginners are), but it also benefits your body and mind in a variety of ways. However, unlike traditional mindfulness meditation or physically demanding yoga styles, Yoga Nidra opens a unique gateway to the inner realms of mind, body, and spirit while providing conscious relaxation.
You’ll soon discover the vast benefits of Yoga Nidra meditation in this blog, from stress relief and better sleep to enhanced creativity and emotional healing. But even more than that, Yoga Nidra holds the power to guide us to higher states of consciousness and spiritual awakening.
But how effective Yoga Nidra really is? What are the benefits of Yoga Nidra? We will answer all that and more in this blog!
Table of Contents
- How To Do Yoga Nidra & Why Is It So Powerful?
- What Are The Benefits Of Yoga Nidra? 7 Benefits That Will Make You Do This Yoga
- What Will Happen If You Do Yoga Nidra Every Day?
- Expert’s Advice
- The Final Say
- FAQs
- References
How To Do Yoga Nidra & Why Is It So Powerful?
Yoga Nidra, often referred to as 'yoga sleep', is a powerful technique that deeply relaxes both your body and mind. While it may seem similar to meditation, it's different.
Unlike most meditation practices or yoga poses for mental relaxation, Yoga Nidra follows a specific sequence with 10 basic steps, making it more structured than typical guided meditation. A full session of Yoga Nidra typically lasts around 45 minutes, but if you're new or short on time, you can still enjoy its benefits with shorter sessions.
Yoga Nidra was developed as a form of guided sleep that helps you gain awareness of your mind and body while providing relaxation to your muscles and brain. It's so easy that anyone in the world can do it!
How To Do Yoga Nidra |
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Yoga Nidra directly affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls essential bodily functions like heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and blood flow.
Yoga Nidra also balances the sympathetic system that controls fight or flight response and the parasympathetic system that controls your body's rest and digestion, supporting overall health. During the deep state of relaxation in Yoga Nidra, the pineal gland is activated, releasing melatonin. This hormone is a potent antioxidant that helps regulate immune function, blood pressure, and cortisol levels and induces restful sleep.
In a study, Yoga Nidra appeared to be more effective in reducing anxiety, suggesting that it may be a useful tool in reducing both cognitive and physiological symptoms of anxiety.
Also Read: New Year, New Vibes: Mindfulness Exercises to Crush Anxiety in 2025
What Are The Benefits Of Yoga Nidra? 7 Benefits That Will Make You Do This Yoga
Now we know just how amazing this simple yoga pose can be. But now, let’s take a closer look at the top 7 benefits of Yoga Nidra:
1. Soothes Pain & Tension
Yoga Nidra releases the stubborn tightness in your muscles, calms your stress, and activates your body’s natural healing abilities. Whether you're dealing with chronic discomfort or everyday tension, you may find Yoga Nidra to be a powerful and peaceful remedy to ease the pain and restore balance!
2. Balances Blood Sugar Levels
Yoga Nidra may even help balance blood sugar and reduce type 2 diabetes symptoms. By relaxing with Yoga Nidra, you can regulate your autonomic nervous system and reduce the impact of stress hormones, which can affect insulin resistance.
3. Improves Sleep
Yoga Nidra improves sleep by relaxing the mind and body and reducing stress and anxiety, which can ease insomnia. Yoga Nidra creates a deep state of rest and allows one to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
4. Emotional Healing
Yoga Nidra helps release past trauma and negative emotions by promoting deep relaxation. It allows you to process and heal emotional wounds, and with consistent practice, you may find an emotional balance and develop a newfound sense of calm and peace.
Also Read: 5 Gen Z Mental Health Challenges To Overcome Before 2025!
5. Increases Self-Awareness/Mindfulness
By doing this yoga, you can enhance your self-awareness as it guides you into a state of deep introspection. It helps you connect with your true self, revealing your underlying thoughts and emotions. This increased awareness promotes personal growth and a more balanced, mindful life.
Also Read: 5 Mental Health Exercises To Boost Concentration Levels And Brain Functioning
6. Reduces Stress
You can reduce stress with Yoga Nidra by activating the body’s relaxation response and calming the mind and nervous system. It helps lower cortisol levels, easing physical and mental tension. Regular practice brings a sense of peace, making stress easier to manage.
7. Calms Anxiety
Research shows that Yoga Nidra improves emotional self-regulation and can reduce levels of depression and calm anxiety. It does this by promoting deep relaxation and calming the mind. It lowers stress hormones, allowing your body and mind to reset.
What Will Happen If You Do Yoga Nidra Every Day?
If you practice Yoga Nidra every day, you may experience various immediate benefits. You'll notice an increase in energy levels, focus, and ability to multitask with a positive approach. Your anxiety and stress levels can drop significantly, and you will feel calmer from within.
Additionally, practising 30 minutes of Yoga Nidra is so effective that it can give you the same benefits as sleeping for 2 to 4 hours! This makes it a great option if you have trouble sleeping, like if you suffer from insomnia or often wake up at night. Basically, Yoga Nidra helps calm your mind and body, making it easier for you to relax and fall asleep.
Also Read: 12 Benefits Of Yoga for Mental Health And 5 Ways To Improve Well-Being
Expert’s Advice
Since the Yoga Nidra technique has preventive, supportive and curative values, practising it with the right technique can give you better results. As an expert, I recommend practising Yoga Nidra in a quiet, dark room to avoid visual and sound distractions. You can even use a sleep mask to block the light. To increase the benefits of Yoga Nidra, also follow a healthy diet and lifestyle and exercise regularly.
Health Expert
Lavina Chauhan
The Final Say
Yoga Nidra is a powerful healing practice for the body, mind and consciousness. It offers a transformative way to relax, relieve stress, and improve mental clarity. By practising this simple yoga exercise regularly, you'll begin to experience better sleep, reduced anxiety, emotional healing, and greater self-awareness. With this simple, effective tool, you can reset your mind and body for a healthier and balanced life.
FAQs
1. What time should you practice yoga nidra?
You can do Yoga Nidra at any time, but it's most beneficial before bed or during a quiet, restful moment.
2. What are the side effects of yoga nidra?
The only side effect is that it can make you drowsy. So, while you can practice Nidra at any time of the day, keep in mind that it can make you a little sleepy if you do it before work.
References
- https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-feel-better
- https://yogauonline.com/yoga-health-benefits/yoga-for-stress-relief/7-amazing-benefits-of-yoga-nidra/#:~:text=Calming%20Anxiety%20and%20Stress%20Levels,stress%20and%20better%20overall%20health.
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-yoga-nidra
- https://aurawellnesscenter.com/2022/11/13/benefits-of-yoga-nidra/
- https://theyogatique.com/yoga-nidra-benefits/?srsltid=AfmBOorP1xqprN4unCqZWFHgxQ4FPxYiRcTd28m9BZVu5_0gWlNMAZER
- https://oneyogathailand.com/yoga-nidra-eigth-reasons-why-you-should-practice-it/
- https://www.yogkulam.org/blog/7-Benefits-of-Yoga-Nidra-Course
- https://mymeditatemate.com/blogs/meditation/i-did-yoga-nidra-every-day-for-2-weeks-heres-what-happened
- https://www.doitatyourdesk.com/blog/what-happens-when-you-do-yoga-nidra-every-day
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