Yoga Nidra is practised in the ‘corpse pose’ of yoga. It is the position you usually end your yoga session in, lying face-up on the mat, with arms and legs spread to the side. It is the best pose for conscious relaxation. In Yoga Nidra, you lie in this pose and listen to a tape recording, or the voice of your instructor. The voice will guide you through a series of relaxation exercises which involve setting an intention for yourself. The intention will remain the same every time you practice Yoga Nidra and forms the basis for your meditation, which is said to lead to personality transformation.
The Yoga Nidra practice will include other visualisations which should take you away from your usual thought patterns into a world of imagination. The relaxation and mental purification it brings can greatly benefit stress levels and bring balance to your general wellbeing. Scientific study into its benefits has already taken place, and the results are promising.
If you want to experience the benefits for yourself, seek out a Yoga Nidra recording. The Bihar School of Yoga has several audio recordings on release. Many yoga instructors are able to guide you through Yoga Nidra too, so why not find a local practitioner? Your wellness and your relaxation are joined – you can’t have one without the other! Yoga Nidra acknowledges that relaxation is the core of your wellbeing.