Olga C. answered • 06/30/22
20+ years teaching, studying, training teachers and still going!
The word "nidra" is Sanskrit for "sleep" - therefore yoga nidra can be defined as "sleep yoga" as is a deep relaxation practice that alters the brainwaves to bring the practitioner into a state of awareness that is between asleep and awake. Practitioners do not need to be in any special position or clothing to gain the benefits, but lying down and closing the eyes is recommended for optimal results.
Yoga nidra is highly systematized and includes a minimum of four stages, which can be tailored and expanded to include up to 10 stages - from the initial settling, to the withdrawal of senses, a rotation of consciousness, breath awareness, and also occasionally the exploration of opposites, incubating questions or inviting visualizations. Typically, the practice ends with an externalization stage unless the intent is to induce sleep.
The practice has roots in the ancient meditation traditions of yoga and has also been influenced by modern day psychotherapy and therapeutic hypnosis. Many recordings are available on YouTube and other platforms - but it is ideally practiced with a knowledgable teacher who can tailor the stages to the practitioners needs and preferences.
