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COURSE

Yoga Nidra For Wellbeing: Science And Practice

With Rachel David

This course explores the scientific evidence behind yoga nidra, a guided meditation that has routed in yoga and modern psychology. The course comprises of three short lectures on a specific area of health and wellbeing, and a specially designed yoga nidra practice to accompany each lecture. The area include: - Stress - Mental health, specifically anxiety and depression - Sleep Objectives: - Understand whether there is any scientific evidence to support claims about each of the areas of health outlined above - Explore through experience the benefits of yoga nidra

Explore the scientific evidence behind yoga nidra in health and wellbeing, and practice to experience them for yourself

6 Days

301 students

4.9 stars

11 min / day

English

About this course

Traditional Yoga Nidra

Meet your Teacher

Rachel David

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London, UK

Dr Rachel David is a passionate about exploring and communicating the science of mind–body practices like yoga and yoga nidra. She has a PhD in Immunology and an MSc in Science Communication, both from Imperial College London. She's been reviewing and writing about the science of yoga practices for the past 4 years.

View Profile

6 Days

301 students

4.9 stars

11 min / day

English

Lesson 1

Yoga Nidra For Stress And Wellbeing

In this first lesson, we're going to take a brief look at stress and how it affects our wellbeing, including our mental health. We'll then look at the evidence that yoga nidra could help to alleviate stress.

Lesson 2

Practice 1: Yoga nidra for quick stress relief

This is a short yoga nidra practice, similar to the one in the research described in lesson 1. It is made up of a body scan and a breathing exercise, and it could help to support in times of stress. Make yourself really comfortable and let's begin our practice!

Lesson 3

Yoga Nidra for Mental Health

Many of us experience mental health challenges throughout our lives, including anxiety and depression. In this second lesson, we're going to look at some of the research that explores whether yoga nidra can support us when we are living with these mental health conditions.

Lesson 4

Practice 2: Yoga Nidra For Rest And Relaxation

This second yoga nidra practice is a little bit longer and designed to bring a little bit of extra calm and relaxation. It comprises a body scan, a breath exercise and a visualisation exercise. Take a moment to make yourself really comfortable and let's begin!

Lesson 5

Yoga Nidra For Sleep

Sleep is hugely important for your health and wellbeing. Not only does it give our bodies time to rest, it is also crucial for our bodies to replenish and recover from the daily stressors it experiences. But many of us experience sleep problems throughout our lives, including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or even insomnia. Yoga nidra is often called 'yogic sleep' and used to support sleep – but does the evidence stack up? Let's find out.

Lesson 6

Yoga Nidra For Sleep

Our final yoga nidra practice is specifically designed to help with sleep. It includes a body scan, a breath exercise and a visualisation. Please note that in this practice, I won't be bringing you back at the end – there is nothing worth than the lovely sleep you get from yoga nidra being interrupted at the end of the practice. So if you are practicing NOT to fall asleep, make sure you use a timer or alarm clock to bring you back after about 20 minutes of practice.