The Healing Benefits of Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is a concept that has been growing in popularity over the last decade. However, this is not a new concept. In fact, it is thousands of years old.
The practice actually dates back before what we consider to be “yoga” today. Maybe you’ve heard about the meditation that’s so easy, “you could do it in your sleep”; so what if I told you there was a way to improve your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, in as little as 45 minutes? Would you do it? Of course you would! Because we live in the western world, and we want results, and we want them NOW (we would take them yesterday if it was possible).
Another bonus for those of us in the West, is that often time we are sleep deprived. 😴 I don’t need to tell you the effects of missed sleep, I am sure you’ve read them and then went on about your normal life… Sound familiar?
Luckily for you, this ancient practice allows you to get an equivalent of 3 hours of deep sleep, in only 45 minutes.
This is possible due to the brain wave states we travel to in Yoga Nidra. When our bed hits the pillow at night, it typically takes us time to travel from Beta, where we are still awake and conscious, down to Alpha, where we are relaxed and our bed starts feeling very comfy & cozy, to Theta, this is where our dreams occur, and where REM sleep can tend to occur as well, lastly, our deepest brain wave state is Delta, this is where rest and repair occurs.
Many of the benefits of Yoga Nidra can be attributed to the fact that it is like a vehicle which has the ability to drive you to the Delta brain wave state, fast. It’s like taking a Ferrari there, when you are used to your Prius (no disrespect to Prius, but I assume they don’t have quite the same horsepower).
Delta is arguably the most beneficial brain wave to the human body, some scientists say. In a typical 8 hour night of sleep, we spend roughly about 25%- 35% of that time in Delta, or about 2-3 hours a night. Yoga Nidra can take us to this space in a matter of moments, using mindfulness and mediation techniques. The best part? You can’t do it wrong.
So now that you know how Yoga Nidra works to improve your health, let’s skip to the fun part: the benefits!
Here is what TurnOverANewLeaf has to say about it,
“..One benefit of increased Delta waves are the production of 2 anti-aging hormones: DHEA and melatonin. Capable of preventing you from looking well beyond your age, keeping your appearance youthful and exuberant. Delta brainwaves also suppress the production of cortisol, a hormone generated when a person is stressed. By keeping cortisol at bay, it is possible to slow down the aging process… (Another) benefit of increased Delta waves are the production of serotonin, known as the happiness neurochemical/hormone, and oxytocin, known as the love hormone/neurochemical. Both of these generate positive feelings within us and therefore making us feel less stressed.”
(TurnOverANewLeaf.com, 6/8/18).
Who doesn’t want to look younger, age slower, be happier and less stressed? All it takes it 45 minutes of your time and all of these benefits can be yours. If you do not have a Yoga Nidra studio near you, there are plenty of free online options available to you that will work perfectly (You can find mine here.)
In the time it took you to read this article, you could have been on your way to better health!
✨ Looking for even more support? Check out my holistic living resources to create a healthier, more aligned life. Get access here -> My FREE Clean Fifteen & Dirty Dozen graphics are an easy place to begin, and when you’re ready to dive deeper, Living a Holistic & Non-Toxic Life: A Practical Guide will walk you through every step toward long-term wellness.
Sending you all my healing energy,
