- Yoga nidra, also known as yogi sleep, is a state similar to sleep which yogis claim to enter into while they are meditating. This type of lucid sleeping is generally considered to be among the deepest states of relaxation that a person can be in while they are still able to maintain complete consciousness. Western people often refer to a similar state of relaxation as lucid dreaming. The difference between these two is the level to which a person is able to remain cognizant of the real world instead of the environment in their dreams. Lucid dreaming involves a person only being cognizant of their dream world. The person will not be aware of anything happening in the real world.
The concept of nidra being used during the practice of yoga dates back to ancient times in the Buddhist and Hindu religions. The practice was lost for many centuries until it was revived in the middle of the 20th century by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. He spent many years studying the various tantric scriptures. Once he had mastered the practice, he devised a system of relaxation that he began to teach his students. It became increasing popular, eventually being taught by people in far away cities. Swami Saraswati's form of nidra involves eight stages. These stages are called externalization, creative visualization, breath awareness, sankalpa, manifestation of opposites, rotation of consciousness and internalization. The basic framework of Swami Saraswati's teachings have been carried on during the past half century, with slight modifications being made by various people over the years.
Scientific Studies
There have been scientific studies conducted in an effort to verify the existence of a transcendental consciousness, which is another way of describing the nidra state that exists in the middle of sleep and sensory consciousness. In 1971, Dr. Elmer Green performed experiments at the Menninger Foundation that allowed evidence of this nidra state to be recorded for the first time. A yogi by the name of Swami Rama allowed his brainwave activity to be recorded using an electroencephalograph as he relaxed into the nidra state. The swami showed the ability to enter and exit different states of consciousness at will. This was proven by the amazing changes in his brain's electrical activity. This was considered a major breakthrough for the scientific community at the time.
Benefits
When nidra is used during yoga practice, it has the power to bring a person a high level of clarity and an overwhelming sense of calm. It is one of the deepest forms of meditation. The profound effect that nidra can have on a person goes far beyond simply feeling more relaxed. It can focus the mind and attune the senses in a way that is not possible to achieve when a person is completely awake. Nidra also allows a person to become more attuned to their own emotions, allowing a type of self-examination that is only possible without any external factors getting in the way, as would be the case if the person were awake.
Nidra has been shown to lower a person's level of anxiety and tension. Abdominal pain, palpitations, giddiness, sweating, chest pain and headache can also be relieved with the use of nidra during meditation. It has successfully relieved posttraumatic stress disorder in military personnel who have seen combat duty.
Faye Martins, is a Yoga teacher and a graduate of the Yoga
teacher training program at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To
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