In Need of Yoga Nidra

In today’s busy world

Yoga Nidra

, yogic sleep, may be the essential tool for rejuvenation.
I’m stretched out during my first 45-minute Yoga Nidra class, body cradled in a fully supported Savasana (Corpse Pose), limbs limp, breath quiet, thoughts drifting by. In the distance, the teacher’s voice blends with the sound of Tibetan bells. All traces of the day fade away, time stops, and stillness washes over me. So this is Yoga Nidra!

Also known as yogic sleep or sleep with awareness, Yoga Nidra is an ancient practice that is rapidly gaining popularity in the West. It is intended to induce full-body relaxation and a deep meditative state of consciousness. “We live in a chronically exhausted, overstimulated world,” says Los Angeles yoga teacher Rod Stryker.

“Yoga Nidra is a systematic method of complete relaxation, holistically addressing our physiological, neurological, and subconscious needs.”

During a typical class, teachers use a variety of techniques—including guided imagery and body scanning—to aid relaxation. And unlike a quick Savasana at the end of asana practice, Yoga Nidra allows enough time for practitioners to physiologically and psychologically sink into it—at least 20 to 45 minutes, says San Francisco Bay Area yoga teacher Jennifer Morrice.

The ancient yoga text the Mandukya Upanishads refers to four different stages of Yoga Nidra. The practitioner begins by quieting the overactive conscious mind, then moves into a meditative state, gradually finding a state of “ultimate harmony,” in which the brain waves slow down and a subtle euphoria emerges. Though most practitioners don’t slip easily into the more advanced stages, they still tend to emerge feeling rejuvenated. “Yoga Nidra uniquely unwinds the nervous system,” Stryker says, “which is the foundation of the body’s well-being.”

Yoga Nidra is best done under the guidance of a trained teacher, but not to worry if a class hasn’t arrived at your local studio. Teachers like Stryker, Shiva Rea, James Traverse, and Jnaneshvara Bharati, to name a few, now offer Yoga Nidra workshops and CDs. You can find these materials via an online search for Yoga Nidra and Nidra Yoga.

By Stephanie Levin-Gervasi

Three Yoga Techniques To Suit Your Exquisite Preference

Three Yoga Techniques To Suit Your Exquisite Preference

Many people practicing yoga techniques had reached to the point where they are seeking more advanced yoga exercises. Most yoga sessions focus on the meditation and breathing exercises. These basic yoga techniques give emphasis on providing relaxation and flexibility to the body in order to attain beneficial health effects. There are other yoga techniques which exceeds the norm of the commonly used yoga postures namely Ashtanga yoga, Bikram Yoga and Kundalini yoga. The asana poses involved in these yoga practices require proper concentration and dedication to achieve mastery of the involved yoga techniques.

Ashtanga Yoga – Muscle Building Yoga Technique

This yoga technique is much different from other forms of yoga exercises. The asana postures to be performed in this yoga exercise focuses on enhancing the strength and endurance of the practitioner’s body. The Ashtanga yoga technique is often restricted to those with proficient body status, due to the intensity involved in performing the difficult poses on this exercise. The yoga sessions for this yoga technique are often subjected to a fast pace of exercise procedures which would perfectly suit those people who are into building up their body’s strength and stamina.

The level of difficulty offered by the Ashtanga yoga asana postures gave it the name “athlete’s yoga”. The yoga techniques to be performed in this type of exercise require hard work, constant practice and great concentration. This is a good choice for people who are physically fit.

Bikram Yoga – Heating while Bending Yoga Technique

This 90-minute yoga session involves flexing your body while inside a sweltering room. The training room for this yoga technique is preheated to at most 105 degree Fahrenheit and 40 percent humidity. For those people who are interested on this extraordinary yoga experience, preparation is very crucial to survive this yoga technique. Students of Bikram yoga sessions should follow important reminders before starting the yoga exercises. Due to the heated environment, this yoga technique regulates breathing and releases the body’s fluids at faster rate compared to other yoga techniques. The extreme temperature applied with the constricting movements benefits the body’s blood flow. This yoga technique is advisable to those who can endure heat while performing the asana postures.

Kundalini Yoga – Releasing Inner Body’s Potential Yoga Technique

The postures involved in this yoga technique excite the endocrine and nervous system of the body. This is a very interesting type of yoga exercise since it gives serenity and ecstasy to the body if mastered. Kundalini yoga techniques compose of unique poses, meditation and chanting. The chanting is considered as the most crucial part of this yoga exercise. The chanting provides the practitioner to experience inner peace and at the same time enhancing the body’s senses. Most Kundalini yoga sessions require the assistance of a professional guru. This yoga technique is an excellent choice for those who want to experience the soothing effect of concentrated meditation.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. To learn more about yoga positions, please visit Free Yoga Exercises.

www.yoga.org.nz Presents the Complete Yoga DVD “Yoga & The Art Of Aging ” Free on You Tube in High Definition. Part 1 of 6 . Sarsha takes Al & Alena through a yoga series to aid the aging process. Week one is focused on the core and spine stability. These 6 videos are part 1 of a 7 part series. The compete download is available from our website. For the complete one hour class please use the play list . Or visit http the full hour streams from the front page with no breaks as the playlist changes. Please check our Yoga Channel www.youtube.com for the complete playlist of this video. Can Yoga Help Aging ? Ask BKS Iyengar he has been practicing and teaching yoga for more than 75 years. Here he is practicing Yoga in 1938 www.youtube.com and Yoga in 1991 at 70. www.youtube.com then here is an interview70 years later. www.youtube.com

Video Rating: 4 / 5

Find More Yoga Articles