Hi,
Thank you for listening to my insight timer talk.
I'm going to talk to you today about reasons why we should practice yoga nidra.
So in case anyone hasn't practiced yoga nidra before,
Yoga nidra is essentially yogic sleep,
The idea of being rested without actually sleeping.
So it's no surprise that yoga nidra has been becoming more and more popular over the last couple of years.
People are looking back to the ancient practice for comfort and yoga nidra added into your routine can be really beneficial.
So it dates back to the Upanishads and the practice of yoga nidra now uses several different techniques that guide you to a place of conscious but deep relaxation.
There isn't a wrong way to practice this restful form of yoga.
And while it may take you a few attempts to settle fully,
It can be a really wonderful way to connect with ourselves.
It allows you to withdraw from the world for a little time.
We're usually in our everyday life bombarded by images and sounds,
Whether it be from our mobile phones,
Television,
Or even if we go out for a walk and there's traffic.
The human brain loves stimulation,
But only to a point,
Then everything gets too much.
If you enjoy a little quiet time,
Yoga nidra can offer just that.
The practice draws you lightly inwards and guides your focus away from your environment to give you a break from the hectic world around.
It also allows you to feel rested.
As I mentioned,
It's quite often called yogic sleep because it can leave you with that feeling of having been rested just as if you've been asleep.
There have been scientific studies that show that through techniques such as rotating consciousness through different body parts and visualizations,
Yoga nidra can help evoke delta waves in the brain,
The same as those found during deep sleep.
This can be really beneficial if you feel like you're in need of some good quality rest or if you have trouble sleeping.
Another great thing about yoga nidra is that you can practice in any position.
If you find it difficult to lay in stillness for any reason,
Or if you fall asleep as soon as you find yourself horizontal,
There are alternative yoga nidra practices that you might want to try.
Yoga nidra can be taken in a comfortable seated position if that feels better for you.
But also there are standing and walking yoga nidra practices that can still give you all the same great benefits.
Another great benefit of yoga nidra is that it helps to alleviate stress and feelings of anxiety.
A regular yoga nidra practice has been shown to reduce tension and feelings of anxiety.
Yoga nidra can help alleviate tension headaches,
As well as allowing your blood pressure to be lowered and increase your sense of self-esteem.
It has been used to help veterans cope with the effects of post-automatic stress disorder successfully too.
And one of the most amazing things about yoga nidra is that anybody can practice.
While physical yoga and asana poses isn't for everybody,
Yoga nidra is accessible to everybody.
From children to those who are older,
Everybody can benefit.
There are many different recorded audio yoga nidras available that can be used anytime,
Anywhere.
Please be aware though that once you start a regular yoga nidra practice,
You might find that you want to spend more and more time practicing yoga nidra.
It's such a blissful state.
I hope that this has piqued your interest if you haven't tried yoga nidra before and that you try a practice soon.
Thank you for listening.
