You may have heard of the term Yoga Nidra, which means yogic sleep or deep sleepless rest, which induces a deep state of relaxation while maintaining awareness.
Yoga Nidra has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety. Practicing Yoga Nidra induces numerous changes in brain activity, including areas involved in emotional regulation, mental distraction, and sleep.
Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and Indian Institute of Psychiatry, Delhi conducted the first functional MRI (fMRI) study to explore the neural mechanisms underlying Yoga Nidra. The study, titled “Changes in Functional Connectivity in Meditators and Novices During Yoga Nidra Practice,” has been published in the journal Scientific Reports.
The study found that the more time participants spent meditating and practicing yoga, the more pronounced the changes in brain activity during yoga nidra.The study looked at 30 meditators (household heads with an average of 3,000 hours of experience in meditation and/or yoga practice) and a matched control group of 31 novice participants.
Professor Rahul Garg, from IIT Delhi, said, “Yoga literature says that Yoga Nidra promotes well-being by bringing to the surface ‘samskaras’ buried deep within the subconscious and ultimately releasing them. The activation of brain regions involved in processing emotions is a very interesting finding in this context.”
The study provides new insights into how yoga nidra affects brain function in experienced and beginner meditators and practitioners of yoga. The researchers found that meditators and beginners responded differently to yoga nidra. Meditators experienced a reduction in mental noise during practice. “The reduction in mental noise correlated with the duration of yoga or meditation practice,” the researchers said.
The researchers found that the DMN (default mode network) operates differently in meditators and novices. The DMN is a group of interconnected brain regions that are active when you’re not focused on the outside world. “It’s like a ‘background mode’ of the brain that operates when you’re daydreaming, thinking about yourself, or just letting your mind wander. DMN connectivity indicates how well these brain regions communicate and work together,” the researchers explain.
How to practice Yoga Nidra?The practitioner lies down in a comfortable position while following verbal instructions that guide the practitioner through different stages of relaxation, breath awareness and visualization. This systematic approach relaxes the body and mind, facilitating deep healing and stress reduction. It has been known to reduce insomnia, anxiety and tension-related disorders.
Yoga Nidra has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety. Practicing Yoga Nidra induces numerous changes in brain activity, including areas involved in emotional regulation, mental distraction, and sleep.
Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and Indian Institute of Psychiatry, Delhi conducted the first functional MRI (fMRI) study to explore the neural mechanisms underlying Yoga Nidra. The study, titled “Changes in Functional Connectivity in Meditators and Novices During Yoga Nidra Practice,” has been published in the journal Scientific Reports.
The study found that the more time participants spent meditating and practicing yoga, the more pronounced the changes in brain activity during yoga nidra.The study looked at 30 meditators (household heads with an average of 3,000 hours of experience in meditation and/or yoga practice) and a matched control group of 31 novice participants.
Professor Rahul Garg, from IIT Delhi, said, “Yoga literature says that Yoga Nidra promotes well-being by bringing to the surface ‘samskaras’ buried deep within the subconscious and ultimately releasing them. The activation of brain regions involved in processing emotions is a very interesting finding in this context.”
The study provides new insights into how yoga nidra affects brain function in experienced and beginner meditators and practitioners of yoga. The researchers found that meditators and beginners responded differently to yoga nidra. Meditators experienced a reduction in mental noise during practice. “The reduction in mental noise correlated with the duration of yoga or meditation practice,” the researchers said.
The researchers found that the DMN (default mode network) operates differently in meditators and novices. The DMN is a group of interconnected brain regions that are active when you’re not focused on the outside world. “It’s like a ‘background mode’ of the brain that operates when you’re daydreaming, thinking about yourself, or just letting your mind wander. DMN connectivity indicates how well these brain regions communicate and work together,” the researchers explain.
How to practice Yoga Nidra?The practitioner lies down in a comfortable position while following verbal instructions that guide the practitioner through different stages of relaxation, breath awareness and visualization. This systematic approach relaxes the body and mind, facilitating deep healing and stress reduction. It has been known to reduce insomnia, anxiety and tension-related disorders.
This practice allows you to reach a deep state of relaxation similar to sleep, but at the same time increases your awareness and promotes mental clarity and emotional balance. Practicing it regularly will rejuvenate your mind and improve your overall wellbeing.
