Today over 36 million people throughout the United States regularly practice yoga as the techniques have continued to grow and develop.
Modern forms of yoga vary greatly and are each used for different reasons. These forms of yoga range from bikram yoga, vinyasa yoga, and prenatal yoga to our focus in today’s article, yoga nidra.
Yoga nidra can be especially effective when it comes to calming your nervous system and promoting better sleep— especially if you’re having a hard time getting restful sleep. Although further research is required, studies have shown yoga to also be a constructive addition to the treatment of your sleep apnea symptoms.
So, what is yoga nidra, and how can it help the restless soul?
What is Yoga Nidra?
Yoga nidra, also known as yogic sleep, is an ancient practice intended to help your body relax while your mind is alert.
The goal is to achieve a state of consciousness between being awake and being asleep while guiding yourself through the four stages of brain wave activity. These stages are known as beta, alpha, theta, and delta.
- Beta: Beta waves are produced when your brain is actively engaged in mental activity, such as an active and engrossing conversation.
- Alpha: Alpha waves are slower, and indicate less arousal in the brain. These occur when your brain is resting after being in an aroused state, such as when you take a break after a long focus session.
- Theta: Theta waves also indicate less arousal in the brain, such as when you’re zoning out or daydreaming.
- Delta: Delta waves have the slowest frequency, and occur while you are sleeping.
