There are many methods on offer today called relaxation, yoga relaxation or yoga Nidra.

Relaxation and yoga relaxation are both useful remedial methods. They help to release tension in the body and the mind. A feeling of ease and calm may be obtained, and more so through constant practice. Modern scientific research verifies this measuring the change in brain wave states and the general benefits people register in physiological function and state of mind particularly in relationship to stress management. Several methods induce an Alpha brainwave state that is known as the relaxation response.

There is however another practice called Traditional Yoga Nidra. It is different in method and intention from general relaxation methods. In its initial stages of practice, it also yields significant healing and improved function for both body and mind. However, Traditional Yoga Nidra intentionally takes the benefit a lot further and deeper.

Traditional Yoga Nidra practice is guided differently. The intention is not just for relaxation of body and mind. Instead, the body and mind completely recede from the recipient’s immediate awareness. And so the guidance is very unobtrusive. The practitioner is trained over time to actually awaken in the state of deep sleep. Not to awaken as in to come out of sleep, but rather, to become conscious in deep sleep itself.

If you consider the state of deep sleep - it is unconscious, we are neither aware of the body, the ego sense of I or any mind content, having all receded out of view. What that remains is a state of unconscious existence in a void like state. It is in this deep sleep state we are rejuvenated. Without experiencing the deep sleep state on a nightly and regular basis we become fatigued, unable to concentrate, memory diminishes, wellness is affected, and we exhibit the various emotional states that accompany being tired and unrested. In deep sleep the brain detoxifies; if this does not occur the brain’s function is impeded and degenerative conditions of the brain set in. Deep sleep takes us through the progressive slower Theta and Delta brain waves that reveal very little brain activity. The practice of Yoga Nidra trains a unique and fascinating ability to bring a bright and lucid consciousness into the deep sleep state in a way so that the tremendous benefits of deep sleep are enhanced and magnified.

This conscious presence in what is usually a void like unconscious state of sleep facilitates a number of incredible benefits. Firstly, it is here at this level of consciousness that the deepest repository of our subconscious memories resides. Especially those that have trauma associated with them. These memories are not existent here as the memory content of the mind, rather they abide here as impressions, they are energetic a little like a footprint left in the sand. The force of these impressions pushes forward when we are triggered emotionally and cause us to react in ways that may not be in accord with the event or situation. The response may be seen by others and ourselves as over the top or excessive. Fear responses are a great example.

Traditional Yoga Nidra as a method for training consciousness to powerfully awaken at this deep level of our inner conscious landscape facilitates a release of these historic and embedded impressions. It simply occurs by the act of being conscious to them. This is not a mental consciousness; it does not engage dialogue or any kind of mental processing. The impressions dissolve as if by an act of being exposed to light so to speak.

It takes a period of well guided consistent practice to acquire this depth. Along the way many impressions are released. Once the power of the practice is significant the release is more profound and complete. We become lighter within ourselves. We also gain a more far reaching and penetrating perspective that enables current and past events to be seen with a greater grasp of what is real. In general, our pain and suffering is caused by mis-perception of an event or situation. Yoga Nidra practice is an aid to the acquisition of correct perception, this is called pramana (true seeing).

Yoga Nidra also gives a quality of rest not just to mind and body but also to soul that is unlike any other. As held disturbed psychological impacts and impressions dissolve the rest and release we experience crosses over into life in every imaginable way. We find we need less sleep and the sleep we do receive is deeply replenishing. We find we dream less, as the mind is progressively emptied of the impressions that generate dreaming. Those dreams that remain tend to be more significant, often revealing wisdom and insight.

Physiological function becomes balanced as all systems receive the kind of cleansing and recalibration that can only occur through a significant change in mind state. This practice has the effect of progressively wiping the slate clean.

If you can imagine the most satisfying holiday and multiply it many times over, you will arrive at a feeling for the kinds of deep all pervasive benefits Traditional Yoga Nidra Practice gives.