Yoga Nidra: A Pandemic Survival Strategy YOGA TODAY
tary about these three states, which are: waking (vaisvanara), dreaming (taijasa) and deep sleep (prajna). In the wisdom of these ancient Rishis, who must have been doing sleep studies themselves, they felt the state of deep, dreamless sleep was a lead in to exquisite rejuve- nation of the mind and body, as well as a stepping-stone to enlightenment and total union with the Infinite. Many of the texts that describe these teachings focus on what lies beyond the so-called “ordinary states” (wak- ing, dreaming and deep sleep)—that state is called Turiya . This refers to a state of pure consciousness; the mind is aware, but moving in very slow, steady waves. In this state we have what is called direct knowledge , meaning, we are in a state of union, or pure Yoga. The practices of Yoga Nidra are aimed at facilitating the state of deep sleep and remaining aware of it. Deep Sleep, ac- cording to the ancients, is one of the portals for this most auspicious state of consciousness. It is through this prac- tice we can begin to come “home” to our truest selves and eventually enter into that state of Turiya. The thought of remaining aware while in a state of deep sleep sounds ominous and paradoxical. The Healthy
BY CLAUDIA NEUMAN
That which stays awake in deep, dreamless sleep is Yoga Nidra. ~ Ancient Text Long before the COVID pandemic, sleep deprivation was declared a pub- lic health epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control. Gazing endlessly at computer screens and smart phones are throwing off our circadian rhythms to the extent we have, as a culture, adjusted to less sleep. Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and ADHD are linked to the fact that as a society we are getting an average of 6.8 hours of sleep per night instead of the much-needed 9 hours; and the quality of our sleep is ques- tionable. We have seen that those of us with compromised physical health issues, such as the ones mentioned, make us that much more vulnerable to contracting COVID if exposed. Now that many of us are gazing even more at the stimulating light from our electronic devices in order to stay connected during this pandemic, the quality of our sleep is even more com- promised and the potential for weak- ened immune systems is there. I have
of the deep sleep state. Through a se- ries of specific mental exercises done by laying on your back, you are guided into that state that is ultimately healing and profound on all levels. The Yogis of ancient times were wise cognitive scientists. They knew a thing or two about the ways our minds work. They especially knew the place we go to during that state of deep sleep is very valuable. In many of the ancient texts there is reference made to three states of consciousness we all live in. The Mandukya Upanishad , for example, offers us a detailed commen-
found that using the ancient practice of Yoga Nidra, sometimes translated as ‘the Yoga of Sleep’, has been invaluable to my body and mind. In short: this practice has been a godsend solution for myself and many of my students who are discovering it. Many have re- ported they are sleeping better, feeling stronger physically, and are realizing more mental resilience as a result of a regular Yoga Nidra practice. What Is Yoga Nidra? Plainly stated, Yoga Nidra is an an- cient practice that harvests the benefits
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