Yoga nidra is a strong method for learning to relax intentionally that is taken from the tantras. Sleep is not considered relaxation in yoga nidra.
When people slump in an easy chair with a cup of coffee, a drink, or a cigarette and read a newspaper or turn on the television, they feel relaxed. However, as a scientific definition of relaxation, this will never satisfy. These are only amusements for the senses.
True relaxation, on the other hand, is a sensation that goes well beyond all of this. You must maintain awareness in order to achieve complete relaxation.
Yoga nidra, or dynamic sleep, is the condition in which you are resting deep within a realm free of external awareness and consciousness, a place where you harmonize the self with larger subconscious and unconscious forces .
Yoga nidra is a strategy for achieving total physical, mental, and emotional relaxation through a methodical approach.
- Yoga nidra is a combination of two Sanskrit words: yoga, which means "union" or "one-pointed consciousness," and nidra, which means "sleep."
- Although one looks to be sleeping when doing yoga nidra, one's consciousness is working at a deeper level of awareness.
Yoga nidra is often referred to as psychic slumber or profound relaxation with inner consciousness because of this.
- Contact with the subconscious and unconscious realms happens naturally in this transitional stage between sleep and alertness.
- The state of relaxation in yoga nidra is achieved by going within, away from external sensations.
- When consciousness is removed from external awareness and sleep, it becomes extremely strong and may be used for a variety of purposes, including as improving memory, increasing knowledge and creativity, or changing one's personality.
Pratyahara is a condition in Patanjali's raja yoga in which the mind and mental awareness are separated from the sensory channels. One part of pratyahara is yoga nidra, which leads to greater levels of focus and samadhi.
You may also want to read more about Yoga Nidra here.