Many people, in our contemporary society, experience difficulty
sleeping well on a consistent basis. In fact, it is estimated that fifty
percent of adults, in the United States, struggle with insomnia. The
types of insomnia range from difficulty falling asleep, to waking
frequently during the night, and waking up too early. There are many
different factors that can precipitate insomnia. An individual may
experience insomnia because of a medical condition, such as sleep apnea,
restless leg syndrome, or periodic limb movement. Insomnia can also be
caused by an inability to relax due to stress, anxiety, an overactive
nervous system, and depression.
The practice of Yoga Nidra is an
ancient Yogic technique that can help to address many of the underlying
causes of insomnia. Practicing Nidra exercises will help to re-balance
an overactive nervous system and
soothe emotional anxiety. However, the practice of Yoga Nidra will not address all of the physical or medical causes of insomnia. If you think that your insomnia may be caused by a medical condition, it is recommended that you visit your doctor to pinpoint the exact cause and treatment of your sleeping problem. For example, if you are suffering from sleep apnea, you may need the support of a breathing apparatus at night.
Yoga Nidra techniques help to
facilitate healing, by promoting a deep feeling of relaxation and
well-being, which will help to restore emotional, mental, and physical
health. The practice of Yoga Nidra techniques help to balance the two
hemispheres of the brain, as well as the parasympathetic and sympathetic
nervous systems. Unresolved emotional issues are also addressed during a
Yoga Nidra session, by bringing up images and feelings that are causing
pain, confusion, and anxiety, while letting these feelings, images, and
experiences go
.
.
A nervous system, that is too keyed up, and the
existence of unresolved emotional issues, are big contributors to
insomnia. Yoga Nidra techniques will address these issues, and
re-balance both the brain and the nervous system, through a series of
exercises. A typical session usually begins with some gentle Yoga asanas
and the setting of a sankalpa, or intention. This ancient set of
techniques then leads the practitioner through a rotation of awareness
of all areas of the body, progressive relaxation, an awareness of the
breath, emotional integration, meditation, or dharana, with a
re-statement of the original sankalpa. A great Nidra session will lead a
Yoga practitioner toward a deep state of integration, relaxation, and
connection, with the Divine.
