This develops “witness consciousness” – the understanding that we are more than our thoughts and recognising ourselves as the one who is aware (the witness). The teacher then guides the student to focus their awareness on breath, sensations in the body, emotions and thoughts – all the while observing these as a witness and welcoming what comes without getting caught up in the thoughts and sensations. Meditations on the body and the breath help to create an inner resource to bring a sense of wellbeing. It starts with developing concentration, asking ourselves what we want from life and setting intentions for the practice. The teacher will guide the student through several stages.
It is most often taught with the student lying down being guided by a teacher. Yoga Nidra is a form of deep relaxation where the practitioner’s body is completely relaxed and the teacher guides them with verbal instructions. Read more from Yoga Nidra teacher James Reeves in What is Yoga Nidra? By exploring objects in our awareness we can experience this connectedness – these are non-dualist philosophies. Sankhya taught that the key to happiness was to become aware of this dualism.Ĭenturies later the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and the Tantric teachings of Kashmir Shaivism developed this to say that these “objects” we experience are not, in fact, separate but are a projection of our witnessing and that we are connected to them. Clinical psychologist Dr Richard Miller has developed the iRest system of Yoga Nidra as a therapeutic practice used in settings such as hospitals, prisons and clinics for war veterans.Īs mentioned above the philosophy underpinning Yoga Nidra started with Sankhya philosophy – a dualist philosophy which taught that there was separation between the witness (purusha) and that being witnessed (prakriti) such as thoughts, objects, feelings and other beings. These early teachings were practised and expanded upon over the centuries through the non-dualist philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and the Tantric teachings of Kashmir Shaivism. Its roots can be traced back to Sankhya philosophy (first written down around 700 BC but dating back to around 1000 BC through verbal teaching).
Yoga Nidra is an ancient practice originating in India.
It can be described as the conscious state between wakefulness and sleep, allowing deep relaxation and a sense of wellbeing through awareness and the welcoming of all that is present. Yoga Nidra is also known as “yogic sleep” or “effortless relaxation”.
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