Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is an amazing technique in which we learn to relax consciously. For absolute relaxation we must remain aware and that is a state of dynamic sleep. It’s a systematic method of inducing complete relaxation at all three levels – physical, mental and emotional.
In the practice of yoga nidra one appears to be asleep but consciousness is functioning at a deeper level of awareness. That’s why yoga nidra is also known as psychic sleep or deep relaxation with inner awareness.
This is a state between sleep and wakefulness, where contact with subconscious and unconscious dimensions occurs simultaneously. In yoga nidra, relaxation is reached by turning inwards. Consciousness is separated from external awareness and also from sleep. And when one is able to do that, it can be applied in many ways, for example To develop the memory, Increase Knowledge, Creativity, Transform one’s nature.
Secret of Yoga Nidra
When the relaxation is complete, the receptivity is greater. When the consciousness is connected to all the senses, the receptivity is less. This is the secret of Yoga Nidra. Due to the intellectualisation process, the knowledge that goes into the brain does not really impress itself there. But when you withdraw your mind a little bit, and enter into a state where are neither in deep sleep nor completely awake, whatever impressions enter the mind at that time become powerful and they remain there.
The Art of Relaxation
During the last hundred years or so, the way of life has changed greatly throughout the world. The social system and other systems are no longer the same as they used to be in ancient times. This has brought about a dispersion of human energies at all levels. The mind of man has lost the point of balance and harmony in every sphere of existence. Psychosomatic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, migraine, asthma, ulcers,
digestive disorders and skin diseases arise from tensions in the body and mind. The leading causes of death in developed countries, cancer and heart disease, also stem from tension. Modern medical science has been trying to tackle these problems in many ways, but frankly speaking, they have failed to deliver the necessary health to man. If you are able to balance your tensions, you can control your emotions, anger and passions. You can control heart disease, high blood pressure, leukaemia and angina pectoris.
Resting more efficiently
Most people think that relaxation is very simple0 just recline and close your eyes. But unless you are free from muscular, mental and emotional tensions, you are never relaxed. Despite a superficial sense of wellbeing, most people are full of tensions all the time. They habitually bite their nails, scratch their head, stroke their chin, or tap their feet. Or they may pace about restlessly, talk compulsively, display constant irritability, or chain smoke.
People do these things because they lack awareness of their own inner tension. They may think that they are relaxed, but a closer look reveals that they are not. Even while sleeping, thoughts and worries revolve in the mind, so that the tense person wakes up feeling exhausted. In order to relax completely, the inner tensions of the body, emotions and mind must be released. Then the actual state of relaxation dawns. The practice of
yoga nidra is the scientific method of removing these tensions.
