Yoga Nidra: The Sleep of the Gods

As the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, it can be hard to adjust to standard time.

For many of us, this means less daylight and more darkness. Less time outdoors and more time indoors. Less Vitamin D and more Netflix.

You may find yourself feeling a little bit… off. But don’t worry, there’s a yoga practice for that! Introducing Yoga Nidra, the sleep of the gods.

What is Yoga Nidra?

Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation practice that is said to induce full-body relaxation and a deep meditative state. The word “nidra” means sleep in Sanskrit, and while you will not actually fall asleep during a Yoga Nidra practice, it is said to be just as restorative as a power nap or a full night’s sleep. In fact, one hour of Yoga Nidra is said to be equivalent to four hours of sleep!

How Does It Work?

During a Yoga Nidra practice, you will lie down in savasana (corpse pose) and be guided through a series of visualizations and body scans. The goal is to bring your awareness inward so that you can reach a state of complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation.

Benefits of Yoga Nidra

There are many benefits of Yoga Nidra, but here are a few that may be particularly helpful during the winter months:

-Reduced stress and anxiety: One study found that people who practiced Yoga Nidra had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This suggests that Yoga Nidra could be an effective way to manage stress and anxiety.

-Improved sleep: If you’re having trouble sleeping during the winter months, give Yoga Nidra a try! One study found that people who practiced Yoga Nidra fell asleep faster and slept more soundly than those who didn’t practice yoga nidra.

- Increased energy levels: Even though it is technically a form of “sleep,” many people find that they have more energy after practicing yoga nidra. One theory is that by resting deeply in savasana, we are able to tap into our parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for “rest and digest” functions like digestion and repair. This can lead to increased energy levels when we wake up feeling rested and refreshed.

If you’re feeling off balance this winter, take our LIVE Yoga Nidra Class on November 7th. If you aren’t a studio member, you can sign up for this LIVE Class for $9.

This ancient practice can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and increase energy levels—all without having to leave your cozy bed!