Yoga Nidra (YN) is described by many as a dynamic sleep, a non-sleep deep rest, or a restorative rest. It is all this and more. Each practitioner is free to describe their practice as it develops. Every time one practices anything it will be unique to that moment in time. The experience can not be duplicated. During YN the mind remains awake. It is not sleep rather in a place between sleep and dream; a bit like lucid dreaming.  

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It is a journey and a rest. The practitioner controls the mind, not the guide. The technique of visualization used in YN is one of many tools for unlocking the stored contents of the unconscious mind. Often these can manifest during dreams. The more the mind disconnects itself from some of the sensory channels the more focused it becomes. By allowing the spontaneous manifestations to come and go without our own involvement, labeling, or judging we release long held perceptions, titles, and assumptions.  Practicing YN and training ourselves to focus our awareness results in a feeling of connectedness with self, which in turn reduces overall anxiety. 

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There is an established protocol to move from the waking, conscious, active beta (12-35HZ) frequencies where we spend most of the day through to a conscious meditative state of alpha (8-12HZ) frequencies landing in a deep meditation / flow state of theta (4-8HZ) or maybe delta (.5-3HZ) where thoughts slow down to just 1-3 per minute (versus our normal 35 per National Science Foundation).

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The issue is not that we have thoughts or emotions. It is our relationship with them or our attachment to them which causes the suffering: “pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” When we deprive ourselves of all the noise and all the stimuli, internal revelations occur.   

 

The impact of YN on degenerative diseases has been studied in many countries and has more recently enjoyed an increase in interest by the medical community. YN has been shown to reduce overall stress, alter habits, eliminate addictions, reduce depression and anxiety, assist in healing from trauma and PTSD, lower cortisol production, aid in lowering cholesterol and lipid levels, and reduce overall blood pressure and the frequency of asthmatic attacks.

 

A long term study at UC Davis (California, USA) concluded YN can improve the lives of patients (bedridden, incapacitated and chronically afflicted patients of all degrees) by reducing insomnia and sleep disturbances, managing moderate pain, reducing feelings of despair and depression, and reducing the requirements for various drugs. 

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The ability of YN to manage pain was investigated at Presbyterian University College Hospital (Pennsylvania, USA) concluding after 6 weeks of YN, patients reported an average of 81% effective pain relief. 

 

A study of migraine sufferers at the Menninger Foundation (Kansas, USA) reported 80% effective relief of symptoms. 

 

In France researchers concluded YN is helpful for elderly patients who transfer psychological difficulties into physical symptoms and complaints associated with their advancing age. 

 

The Department of Defense in the United States together with well established YN teachers adapted the practice to support military service members and veterans. In 2006, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (USA), a hallmark study was conducted and noted multiple benefits of iRest, a protocol wholly based on the practice of YN. iRest is currently being offered through the VA and other Veteran and Military settings as a form of complementary and alternative medicine for PTSD.