

Here’s how yoga nidra works from within: Beta and Alphaįirst, the guided meditation will take you through the active thinking that’s characteristic of the beta wave state. That’s what makes this practice ideal for nighttime meditation.Īs you progress through the four stages of brain wave activity, your physical and mental well-being can improve as stressful thoughts and tension start to fade away. It’s that magical time just before you fall asleep when the body is in deep relaxation while the mind is still reasonably lucid. The ultimate goal is to achieve a hypnagogic state, which falls between wakefulness and sleep.

What happens in yoga nidra? It works by gently guiding you through four main stages of brain wave activity: beta, alpha, theta and delta. How does yoga nidra work to achieve a hypnagogic state? This allows you to unwind into various, beneficial brain wave states resulting in deep rest. What’s the secret sauce to this method of self-care? And why do people look to yoga nidra for sleep benefits? What separates this form of meditation from standard yoga classes is that it balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (the “flight or fight” and “rest and digest” parts of the nervous system). Breath awareness and mindfulness are also key aspects to achieving the deep relaxation response that yoga nidra offers. Based on the guided meditation you select, you’re prompted to begin sensing your body for areas of tension. To practice yoga nidra, you begin by lying face-up on the floor in yoga corpse pose, otherwise known as Savasana. Renowned author, guru, and yoga teacher Swami Satyananda Saraswati perfectly answers the “What is yoga nidra?” question by referring to it as “reaching the border between waking and sleeping states.” Also known as yogic sleep, this meditation practice prompts the body to relax deeply while the mind remains inwardly alert.


Move beyond the mind and connect with the part of yourself that knows, and knows that it knows. In this session, Tracee teaches us to witness our impressions as an observer without attachment, judgment, or analysis, and to relax the mind. This yoga nidra session revolves around cultivating sensitivity towards the energetic body, with the aim of cleansing and rejuvenation. Known as “systematic relaxation,” this practice allows you to create a new relationship with your physical body and deepen your ability to move into “rest and digest.” This class f ocuses on becoming aware of all parts of the physical body. Tracee teaches us how to set ourselves up for a Yoga Nidra practice, including posture variations and props to support the body.
