Want to relax? Try yoga deep meditation techniques Articles | Yoga

There is nothing quite like yoga if you want to relax – both mentally and physically. Yet, yoga is more than just relaxation. In fact, it is only the first step to achieving much more, for the good of the mind and body.

One of the most popular yoga techniques of relaxation is called Yoga Nidra, where the word ‘Nidra’ means sleep. Easy to perform, all you have to do is to lie on your back, relax all your muscles and keep on following the instructions. Many people use Yoga Nidra CDs to do this relaxation exercise, in the absence of any formal tutor to teach them yoga.

It is not uncommon for people to feel frustrated and de-motivated because meditation has not provided the desired level of relaxation. The truth of the mater is that these people have tried to ‘imagine’ that they are relaxing. So the entire effort and labor of ‘trying to relax’ leaves them feeling more tensed and worried.

In Yoga Nidra on the other hand the relaxation process is as natural as possible where you are never ‘instructed’ to relax. In my years of experience, I have found that most people who have faced difficulties in relaxing, benefit from Yoga Nidra. Popular with school children and elderly people, Yoga Nidra is now used as a relaxation technique in many management schools as well as work places too. For those who are just getting to practice yoga for the first time, Yoga Nidra has been particularly successful, in inducing a state of peace and tranquility for both the mind and body.

One of the very interesting experiences I have had is when I went to teach yoga at a school where other teachers were completely stunned to see so many young and restless boys lying still on their back, for more than twenty minutes.

The best part about Yoga Nidra is that you can practice any and every time you feel tensed, or wish to improve concentration, restore energy or get a better quality of relaxation. Even if you are in the habit of having very light or restless sleep, Yoga Nidra helps you sleep better.
While practicing Yoga Nidra, simply follow the instructions without making any extra effort or straining your body. Listen carefully and the rest takes care of itself.

Though the purpose of Yoga Nidra is to help you relax, yet be aware and awake, in the beginning you may tend to go off to sleep. Do not worry if this happens. For sometime, you may not even here what is being told in the instructions – it seems you have fallen asleep; yet you are in a state of consciousness. Going off to sleep is a very transient phase. With time, you will become more aware and present, and truly relaxed.

The best posture of doing yoga Nidra is to lie on your back, with your head towards the north. Wear light clothes and try not to lie down in a very soft mattress. The floor must be even and you could spread a rug and use a light cover on your body. In case you tend to go off to sleep, keep your hands and feet outside the cover or use no cover at all. If you still fall asleep, make your elbows touch the floor with the forearms pointing upwards. This is helpful since every time you fall asleep, your hands will drop on the floor and you will wake up from your slumber. Remember, the whole purpose of Yoga Nidra, as with all other types of medication, is to take you to a deep state of consciousness, where you peacefully rest yet remain aware.

During the practice of Yoga Nidra, there will be plenty of thoughts which will keep on entering your mind – many feelings, emotions and experiences. You simply let them pass – without clinging to any of the thoughts or impressions. You not only let them pass but you also do not make any judgments about them. This exercise of letting your thoughts gently glide through your mind without any judgment or opposition will gradually help you to relax deeply where all unwanted and undesirable thoughts leave your mind and leaves you free of tensions and worries. As your thoughts come and go, your mind is free to explore and go through newer experiences again, as it is then fully revitalized.