Yoga Nidra is described as ‘the waking sleep’ as it can take the participant to a state of conscious deep sleep. One appears to be sleeping, but the unconscious mind is functioning at a deeper level of awareness.

In normal sleep we lose track of our self but in Yoga Nidra, while consciousness of the world is dim and relaxation is deep, there remains an inward lucidity and experiences may be absorbed to be recalled later. Your brain shifts into the zone between sleeping and waking states, it’s like your body sleeps while your mind remains conscious and clear. Brainwave studies show higher alpha and theta brainwave power when in this state. Brain waves shift to beta ways, which reflect high levels of thought, to being completely relaxed, alert and hanging on the edge just before entering sleep.

Yoga Nidra involves effortless relaxation. It is best practiced with verbally delivered instructions either live or recorded. Music can be added. 432 HZ is recognised for DNA repair, deep relaxation and healing. I personally use music for all my sessions, promoting calm at the relax/recovery section of fitness and wellness sessions. Scientific research has shown that people who practice Yoga Nidra experience better sleep generally, are more productive and less stressed. As we live in a stressed, over stimulated world, people with chronic exhaustion find this is a simple method that helps address these issues. In classic Yoga Nidra practice, the position taken is savasana or corpse pose, lying on the back and arms away from the body, palms turned upwards, feet hip width apart, toes falling outwards. Eyes closed throughout the practice, sitting against a wall or on a chair is fine or if over 22 weeks pregnant lying on the right side is recommended. Making sure the body is lying symmetrically. Imagine a centre line running between navel and throat. It is believed a relaxed posture influences consciousness and helps to balance the flow of life force.

Yoga Nidra practice often includes a technique for realising a resolve in life or setting positive intentions for something wanted to achieve. You are guided to repeat your resolution or intention several times to yourself before you move into deep relaxation and immediately after you come out of it. The resolution chosen could be as simple as wanting something positive in your life for you, family, friend or the universe, or something very specific, like resolving something or bringing more abundance into your life.

Practitioners say that by repeating the resolution to yourself when in this state helps it enter the unconscious, like post-hypnotic suggestion. I suggest ‘Say it to Yourself, See it, Feel it, make it happen and release it to the universe. Sessions run from a short 10 minutes to an hour. Yoga Nidra helps to restore our body, our senses and our mind. Even one session promotes a heightened state of wellbeing. Regular practice is literally life changing.

Based on current studies from Dr Richard Miller’s iRest (Yoga Nidra) study in the military, the Defense Centers of Excellence has approved iRest as a Complementary and Alternative Medicine warranting continuing research for its use in the treatment of PTSD. The U.S. Army Surgeon General has listed Yoga Nidra (based on research) as an approach for addressing Pain Management in Military Care. It has been shown to be effective for conditions including chronic pain, sleep problems, depression and anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

I began including a shortened, very effective Yoga Nidra as part of regular practice, in schools, with disabilities, teens suffering depression, through to ageing adults and in Fitness and Wellness. More people request this, especially people suffering stressful work/life balance. Having run numerous programs over 40 plus years I found a recent 6 week teen program I ran had phenomenal results. Happier and joyful teens living positive lives and minimal depression.

Brain Wave functions change throughout a Yoga Nidra practice, having been researched and results published in 2019, shows systematic cycles through brain wave states, lowering beta and increasing alpha, theta and delta for the better. Yoga Nidra literally changes the ‘fluctuations of the mind’ by slowing down brain wave frequencies. Biological sleep refreshes the mindbody, but cannot promote self-realization like Yoga Nidra.

About Jill Healy-Quintard

Jill has been a passionate leader in the Fitness and Wellness arena, for over 40 years, from Aerobic Champion to multiple Fitness awards, Iconic Woman of the Century (WEF17) and AUSactive’s National 2022 Pilates Professional and Yoga Business. Jill received the inaugural AUSactive, Lifetime Member Award in 2021. Jill’s mantra is Movement is Medicine. She is a trained teacher and specialist in MindBody connection. She provides Presentations, Classes, Courses and Transformational Women’s Coaching

Jill offers YogaPilates Fusion, BodyBarre, TribalGROOVE, Keeping Your Working Body Fit, Facial Exercise and the Gamechanger Yoga Nidra for trainers, mental health professionals and corporate wellbeing programs. Jill is an educator for Wise Women’s Gathering and Retreats. Classes and coaching are Face to Face, Live Streamed and Online Pre-recorded.

YogaPilates Fusion: A Mind Body and Balanced Practice, reached #1 on Amazon.  Jill’s 2nd book Open the Gate (2023 ) is the catalyst for her Transformational Women’s Coaching.