Yoga Nidra: Learn How to Practice Yoga Nidra Meditation. Discover Chakra Healing, Awake Your Mind, Soul and Body. Stop Anxiety Achieving Deep Sleep and Relaxation

By Maya Raji

Would you like to experience deep healing states of relaxation? 

 

Do you suffer from anxiety and insomnia? 

 

If you would like to experience inner peace this Complete Guide is perfect for you! 

 

What if you were told that a quick 45-minute session of Yoga Nidra training could promise you the benefits of an extensive three-hour sleep? And, that it could provide you not only a better sleep or a better focus but all benefits that Yoga itself has to offer. 

This book on Yoga Nidra is not only essential for beginners but also for professionals who want to become better in their fields. It does cover not only the physically benefitting aspects of Yoga Nidra but also the spiritual, psychological and scientifically proven benefits that come along with it.

 

This book also has a practical Yoga Nidra exercises session following a reflection session called the Pause & Reflect techniquethat will help you keep track on the progress you will make.

 

In short, this book will not only help you improve your flexibility and strength but also take you to an inward journey of spirituality that will open various gateways for you. Inside you will learn about:

• How Yoga Nidra can provide you better sleep and a better focus
• Practical Yoga Nidra Exercises
• Practicing tips and precautions
• How to handle distractions
• Frequently Asked Questions about Yoga Nidra
• Yoga therapeutic interventions dedicated to people who suffer diseases
• Complete guide to transform you from a troubled & burdened individual to a relaxed and satisfied soul

 

... AND MORE!!!

 

What are you waiting for? Don't wait anymore, press the buy now button and get started!

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maya Raji
• Release date: Dec 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393075059

Book preview

Introduction

It is early in the morning, and you wake up from a dream. You can just as quickly slip back into the pictures of your dreams as you wake up to answer nature's call. In this peaceful twilight state of loveliness, you would like to live here, right? Moreover, you stay here, relaxing in this beautiful state of equilibrium that occurs between waking and sleeping, where all the issues seem far away. However, when you are here, an idea comes in quite suddenly. All of a sudden, it is undeniable, is it not? Then you were amid a conundrum when you went to sleep the night, but now you know what to do, the step you will take. In addition, you have felt that before. When immersed in this twilight equanimity, somehow, suddenly, ideas emerged spontaneously; answers came unbidden, and problems dissolved. How great! How wondrous! Welcome to Yoga Nidra's beautiful world.

Yoga Nidra is a strong and special state of consciousness in which the body relaxes fully, the mind of thought melts away, thoughts appear to evaporate, perception magnifies, and knowledge is sharp and transparent.

It begins with a very deep state of relaxation that exists physically, mentally, energetically, and emotionally. It acts as a natural meditation prelude. As this occurs, we encounter a consciousness level preceding all consciousness. It is not only stress-free; it is incredibly soothing, restorative, and strong. Although Yoga Nidra practitioners can look like they only sleep, Yoga Nidra is a lot different from normal sleep. Often known as yogic sleep, yoga nidra is a directed exercise for relaxation that calms your nervous system and helps you to regenerate your body and mind quicker and more effectively than just having a snack. Anyone can perform yoga nidra whatever his or her age or skill. All you need to do is lie down and listen to the professor or lead you through the steps to register. This book has theoretically covered all aspects of Yoga Nidra and can act as ultimate or even the only needed guide!

Chapter 1: The History and Origins of Yoga

Paying homage and tribute to traditions give us a sense of our origins and history. We follow that path because our ancestors have been pursuing the ways that encompass the essence of life and to be free from the pain caused by confusion and trudging down dark paths for centuries. With the world increasingly cross-cultural, all manners of customs are revealed to other stretches of the globe, while being changed in their journeys. Through their evolution, we find a connection within the foundations of their intent that enables us to preserve the dignity of the tradition.

One such practice is Yoga. Its roots are rooted in the Indus Valley soils below the Himalayan Peaks, what is today Northern India and Pakistan. It has ancient rituals that have been followed since the civilization started. The seeds of Yoga have dispersed through internationalism, swept in the wind, and spread to all who seek the light. Yoga now affects people's lives across the globe.

1.1 Ancient Roots of Yoga and Its Evolution

Due to its oral transmission of holy texts and the hidden essence of its teachings, the history of Yoga has many places of

mystery and ambiguity. The initial writings on Yoga were transcribed on delicate, easily damaged, burned, or lost palm leaves. Yoga creation can be dated back to more than 5,000 years ago, although some scholars think Yoga might be as old as 10,000 years ago. The long, rich history of Yoga can be broken down into four main stages of growth, practice, and creation. 

Pre-Classical Yoga

The origins of Yoga were established in northern India over 5,000 years ago by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization. The label yoga was first mentioned in the oldest of Hindu texts, the Rig Veda. The Vedas were a series of texts that included songs, mantras, and rituals to be used by the Vedic priests, Brahmans. The Brahmans and Rishis (mystic seers) gradually perfected and developed Yoga, which recorded their beliefs and practices in the Upanishads, a massive work containing more than 200 scriptures. The most esteemed of the Yogic scriptures is the Bhagavad-Gîtâ, which was written around 500 B.C.E. The Upanishads picked up and internalized the concept of ritual sacrifice from the Vedas, teaching the death of the ego through self-knowledge, practice (karma yoga) and wisdom (jnana yoga).

There are many translations of the Sanskrit term yoga, and it can be translated in several ways. This comes from the source Yug and originally meant hitch up, much as horses are tied to a car. Some other translations are yoke, join, or focus. Ultimately, Yoga has come to represent a method of unification or a method of discipline.

Classical Yoga

In the pre-classical period, Yoga was a mishmash of various concepts, values, and techniques that sometimes contradicted one another. Patanjali's Yoga-Sutras describes the Classical Period, the first structured presentation of Yoga. This text, written sometime during the second century, explains the course of Raja Yoga, also called classical yoga. Patanjali organized the yoga practice into an eight-limbed path that included the steps and stages toward achieving Samadhi or enlightenment. Patanjali is also considered the founder of Yoga, and its Yoga-Sutras still have a significant influence on most modern yoga types. The Sutras of Yoga contain 196 Sutras, divided into four parts, describing the goals and practice of Yoga, the creation of yogic forces, and finally, liberation. The Yoga Sutras, like a gentle guiding hand, warn you of the pitfalls of your spiritual path and offer the means to

conquer them. The Sutras of Yoga contains a collection of observances and practices that guide your spiritual journey. They are known as the Eight Yoga Limbs. These are known as Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Samadhi, and Dhyana.

Post-Classical

Yoga masters developed a system of practices intended to revitalize the body and extend life a few centuries after Patanjali. They dismissed the ancient Vedas' teachings and accepted the human body as the path to attain enlightenment. They formed Tantra Yoga to cleanse the body and mind with revolutionary methods to sever the bonds that bind us to our physical life. This analysis of these physical-spiritual relations and body-centered practices led to the development, in the West, of what we generally think of Yoga: Hatha Yoga.

Modern Era

Yoga masters slowly moved to the West in the late 1800s and early 1900s, attracting attention and disciples. This started at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 when Swami Vivekananda was wowing the attendants with his teachings on Yoga and the universality of the religions of the world.

Hatha Yoga was actively promoted in India with T's research in the 1920s and 30s. Krishnamacharya, Sivananda Swami, and other practicing Hatha Yoga yogis. In 1924, Krishnamacharya opened Mysore's first Hatha Yoga School, and in 1936, Sivananda established the Divine Life Society on the shores of the Holy Ganges River.

1.2 Important Concepts of Yoga

It is assumed that the cornerstone of yogic philosophy was first written down as Patanjali's yoga sutra, around 200 BCE. At the heart of the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is an 8-step blueprint (the eight yoga limbs), which provided the foundation for all yoga practice.

The eight limbs of Yoga are be divided into four key elements: right living; opening and regulating the free flow of life-force energy in body, mind, and spirit; preparation for the divine union by managing the conscious mind's restlessness by concentration and meditation; and finally, union of the self with universal consciousness. This is the Yoga route. It's a spiritual path intended to direct the person toward universal happiness. The eight yoga limbs (steps) underlying all yoga practices are listed in brief below.

1. Yama – It is the first yoga arm, which deals with the sense of dignity of an individual as well as its ethical standards. Yama focuses on the actions of a person and how that person governs him or herself in life. The Yamas are common practice among the eight yoga extremities. They contribute best to the famous golden rule—do to others what you want them to do to you.

The following are five Yamas:

Ahimsa (nonviolence)

Asteya (non-stealing)

Satya (truthfulness)

Brahmacharya (living in a state of higher consciousness)

Aparigraha (lack of greed, non-possessiveness)

2. Niyama - the five personal (spiritual) observances: purity; contentment; regulation of energy; knowledge of our spiritual nature; divine celebration. Niyama is the second Yoga limb. This stresses self-discipline and moral observances. Classic examples of Niyama include going regularly to worship or temple services Cultivating individual practices of meditation Expressing grace before meals.

Niyamas include:

Santosha (contentment)

Saucha (cleanliness)

Tapas (austerity)

Svadhyaya (self-study)

Isvarapranidhana (presenting to your spiritual base)

3. Asana – body practice of yoga postures designed to regulate and open the flow of life-giving energies in the body to keep it free from illness and ready to meditate on. Asana is a pose or movement performed in Yoga, and it includes the third yoga limb. This was created to help yogis get into physical form in preparing for meditation, to be able to remain in meditation

for a longer period. Asanas practice helps us develop discipline and strengthens our ability to focus. For meditation, those are quite important.

Asana and pranayama are commonly practiced these days in the West, and Asana is the eight-legged third limb. The physical movement of Hatha Yoga is Asana with breathing exercises with pranayama. Asana translates into sit It is originally said that the only pose in Yoga was a comfortable seat taken by Dhyana (meditation) for a long time.

4. Pranayama - the practice of yogic breathing to help regulate prana (spiritual energy) to quiet the conscious brain's left and right hemispheres to promote meditation. Prana life energy is the fourth limb of Yoga, which has a general breath control translation. Pranayama techniques help us gain control over the cycle of breathing while understanding the connection between your mind, air, and emotions.

This fourth yoga limb has a literal translation—life extension. Therefore, yogis claim that pranayama helps to rejuvenate our bodies and extend our lives." Yogis will practice pranayama as a technique of their own. Alternatively, pranayama can be incorporated into the daily asana practice schedule.

Prana is the breath's external manifestation. We may gain control over the prana inside and outside by controlling the breath. When we master the prana, we also master the inner nature, for it is the prana that causes all the movements within an individual — physical and mental.

5. Pratyahara - Pratyahara is the fifth Yoga limb. It means having influence over outside powers or removing sensory perfection from them. It is the branch on which you make a purposeful attempt to remove your mind from the outside world. Pratyahara lets you focus all your attention centrally while staying clearly aware of your senses while maintaining

a separation from those senses.

The pratyahara practice gives you the freedom to withdraw and take a closer look at yourself. The withdrawal helps control your cravings. These behaviors could harm your wellbeing and the trends that could interfere with your inner development.

6. Dharana – nurturing the consciousness inside. Every yoga limb prepares you for the next extremity. Practicing pratyahara creates a right atmosphere for Dharana, which is the sixth yoga limb that helps in focus promotion. Because pratyahara helps you remove yourself from the external disturbances, you can now manage all the temptations in your mind.

It is not a simple task. Concentration practice lets you learn how to regulate the thought process. Through focussing on one visual entity, you will slow it down. It may be a quiet recurrence in your body of a certain tone, the sight of a holy being, or a clear emotional concentration. The preceding yoga limbs help you develop focus forces.

Now the focus starts changing as you master the various degrees of a particular breathing exercise or physical posture. Pratyahara allows you to stick to yourself. However, in Dharana, one point is where you get to concentrate all your

attention. Dharana induces prolonged periods of concentration, which naturally lead to meditation.

7. Dhyana - dedication to the Holy Spirit and meditation. It is the seventh extremity of Yoga, and it means meditation reflection or practice. It lets you get moments of uninterrupted concentration. Although Dharana and Dhyana can seem the same, there is a distinct line between its meanings. You concentrate all your focus on one point while practicing Dharana. However, you are in a state in Dhyana where you are conscious, but you are not concentrated on something.

Your mind is quiet at this time, and in those times of quietness, the mind can generate a couple of thoughts. Ironically, in Dhyana, the mind can fail to generate any thought. To achieve such a state of calmness, you need a very substantial amount of stamina. If you struggle to meet the quietness you wanted, you should not give up, though.

In addition, if it may seem an impossible or challenging task, always note that Yoga is not a one-time activity, but a method. Although you may not achieve the perfect Dhyana consciousness, you still gain if you take the time to practice this limb.

8. Samadhi - Unity of human consciousness. Samadhi-The eighth and final limb in Yoga is union with the Divine, and many people consider it as a state of bliss or ecstasy. Samadhi helps you to align with your point of focus and outstrip yourself.

Here you will realize a profound connection to the Divine — which connects you with all living things. That knowledge gives you peace that surpasses all understanding —the sense