October 6, 2009
An Introduction to Yoga Nidra and its Benefits
Yoga is considered as a relaxation method but one thing is clear that it is not a mere relaxation method but much more than that. 
Mental peace is just the initial phase of yoga. Many people have tried various methods of relaxing, but they have to continuously imagine so as to relax. Thus at the end of such meditation people end up getting frustrated rather than deriving any benefits from it.
There are various benefits of Yoga Nidra:
A) Yoga Nidra can be practiced while one is lying back. This is the easiest way of doing yoga Nidra. Yoga Nidra is effective for people who need relaxation and people even use cds and tapes for this purpose. Such people are not much aware about the meditation.
B) This is one practice where one is never guided to relax. It has been observed that people who had such relaxing problems earlier have attained great benefits from this yogic practice. While it is an easy process for relaxation for beginners, it is equally popular with school children and the elderly. It is highly valued at work places.
C) Yoga Nidra helps one to improve on his concentration, there is regain of lost energy & resting of the frayed nerves is observed.
D) One can practice this Yoga any time of the day suitable to the person. It helps in improving the sleeping habits.
E) One need not be very cautious while practicing such yoga. One just needs to follow just the instructions and rest will be taken care of.
To achieve the maximum benefits from Yoga, it is advisable that one must lie in a posture so that ones head is pointing towards the north. One should wear loose clothes & lie on an even floor rather than on an over-soft mattress or any other such stuff. If one feels that one is likely to go off to sleep it should be made sure that hands and legs are uncovered or preferably the whole body should be kept uncovered. If one wants to wake from his sleep and make sure that one does not fall asleep one should keep the elbows rested on the floor.
The main aim this type of Yoga as any other type of meditation is to achieve realization that rests in itself. Various thoughts & events may come to ones mind while practicing this yoga Nidra. One must not be critical about any such thought.
