I Did Yoga Nidra Almost Every Day For 2 Months: The Benefits I Didn't Expect

If you had asked me a year ago to define yoga nidra, I probably would have given you a blank stare and guessed something like "Is that the one where you do a lot of headstands?"

Though I've practiced yin and vinyasa yoga for years as part of my workout routine, I had zero experience with yoga nidra—a form of the practice that doesn't incorporate movement but rather involves deep relaxation through a verbal talk-down.

A quick YouTube search yielded several videos of yoga nidra. Commenters raved that these audio sessions brought them mental peace and calmed their nervous system—the very outcomes I was seeking. It sounded pretty low-risk and as a busy working mom, I couldn't argue with the idea of squeezing in some extra relaxation, so I decided to give it a try.

For nearly two months, I carved out 20-30 minutes in my afternoon to take to my bed, close my eyes, and let the gentle voice of my new favorite yoga nidra instructor (Ally Boothroyd of Sarovara Yoga) guide me. With each session, I followed her instruction to focus on one body part at a time, bringing it peace and relaxation, usually accompanied by ambient music and guided imagery. From my first listen, I was hooked. 

Yoga nidra is also known as "yogic sleep" because of the state of consciousness it produces—a state somewhere between sleeping and waking. I'm here to say that name is legit.

As a survivor of childhood trauma, I have a tough time getting my nervous system to just chill. Fortunately, this is another area where I've seen yoga nidra bear fruit. As soon as I "get into position" to practice this form of relaxation (i.e., lying in bed with my laptop queued up to a YouTube video), I find myself letting go of tension almost immediately.

If anything, I'm aware of sensations in my body to a fault. (I don't mind admitting I'm a bit of a hypochondriac.) But yoga nidra has helped me bring awareness to my body in a more positive way.

During each yoga nidra practice, you're invited to choose a "sankalpa," a short sentence that embodies your resolution for that session. Instructors sometimes suggest sankalpas, or you can choose your own. Mine have included "I am giving myself the rest I deserve," "I am allowed to care for myself," and "I am doing enough."