It’s a deceptively simple practice. Because yoga nidra is most often taught lying down—initially guided by a teacher—it’s appealing to people who might feel uncomfortable with yoga postures or traditional seated meditation. A short version of yoga nidra can be introduced and practiced in less than 15 minutes.
Yoga nidra slows downs body metabolism and allows deep rejuvenation. Sleep has a similar function but is much less efficient because the unconscious mind continues during sleep to cause tension.
Our body is a store house of mental tension. In this sense, body and mind are inseparable. A lasting reduction in stress levels in the body helps release deep seated anxieties in the mind. During yoga nidra the boundary between the conscious and unconscious mind becomes very fluid.
The primary aim of spiritual practices is surely to awaken us to our true nature. Yoga nidra serves that end uniquely, powerfully and painlessly. It restores a sense of inner harmony.
Above all, the regular practice of yoga nidra improves the quality of your sleep and can even reduce the amount of sleep that your body usually seems to need. It is a brilliant antidote to insomnia if done immediately before going to bed.