Yoga Nidra: The Art of Conscious Deep Relaxation
by Dr. Marc Halpern
Deep relaxation. This is how many people view Yoga Nidra, and while a successful practice of Yoga Nidra does bring a person into an unrivaled state of relaxation, it is actually much more. Translated, yoga nidra means “yogic sleep;” this is not sleep in the ordinary sense, but a fully conscious state of deep relaxation.
In yoga, there are many methods used to enter Yoga Nidra, yet the method is not the practice. Some methods are quite difficult, like Kechari Mudra. Others, such as the use of guided relaxation or body scanning, are relatively easy.
Yoga Nidra is a heightened state of awareness, and a state of consciousness different from waking, sleeping or dreaming. It allows us to access the universal forces of creativity. Some might use the technique to create power and wealth; others may use it for physical and emotional healing. The healing aspect of Yoga Nidra is the focus of my work in this field.
In 1987, I was crippled by Lyme Disease with cross reactions affecting my immune system. In addition to being physically crippled, I suffered from a severely altered sleep rhythm. I rarely slept well and often I only slept for a couple of hours in the early morning. This lasted seven years, during which time I practiced Yoga Nidra three times per day for about 45 minutes each session. Not only did Yoga Nidra provide my body with the rest it needed, I was also able to utilize this state of consciousness to practice conscious self-healing and ultimately, I was able to heal using a combination of Ayurveda and Yoga Nidra.
The ancient tradition of Yoga Nidra is far more than hypnotherapy, a sleep aid, or an adjunct to psychotherapy. Yoga Nidra stands on its own as a profound state of awareness. Our doors of perception open and we develop an understanding of the subtle body. In this state, a well-trained practitioner can alter his or her own experience of reality. In Yoga Nidra, a person can even heal her deepest patterns and tendencies called samskaras; in doing so, she can heal the associated karma and change her entire experience of life.
There is a growing body of scientific evidence confirming the ability of Yoga Nidra to support the body’s ability to heal itself. Studies demonstrate that Yoga Nidra helps regulate blood pressure, stabilizes blood sugar levels in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, improves focus in people with attention deficit disorder, and stabilizes emotions in people experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.
Evidence gathered from EEG (Electroencephalogram) tests reveals that the state of consciousness known as Yoga Nidra alters brain wave patterns, increasing the activity in the alpha-theta band. This altered state of consciousness reduces stress, the enemy of self-healing. But there is more: This state of consciousness allows an individual to actively engage the flow of energy (prana) in his or her own body and mind, correct imbalances, and stimulate the healing response. This is what allows Yoga Nidra to be far more than simple relaxation—and a practice that is needed in the world today.
Dr. Marc Halpern, DC, CAS, is the Founder and Director of the California College of Ayurveda, author of Healing Your Life; Lessons on the Path of Ayurveda and the author of the CD, Yoga Nidra and Self Healing. He is a founding director of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. He has been practicing and teaching Yoga Nidra and Ayurveda for more than 25 years.
On June 26-29, Dr. Halpern will conduct a four-day Yoga Nidra Training for Personal Healing and Teaching Others at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Los Angeles: sivanandala.org; swamiomkara@sivananda.org.
Marc Halpern is the founder and director of the California College of Ayurveda and co-founder of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. He is also a yogi in the lineage of Swami Sivananda and the author of the book Healing Your Life, published by Lotus Press.