Yoga nidra (usually translated “yogic sleep”), is a guided practice that helps you contact a deep state of awareness that exists between a waking state of mind, and a sleeping state. It’s a powerful meditation practice that creates a deep state of relaxation and rest.
Yoga nidra helps the mind become progressively more settled. During the practice of yoga nidra, you’ll be guided to bring your attention slowly inward, and asked to deepen your inner attention from gross aspects of your experience, to more subtle aspects. Oftentimes, this leads the body into deep sleep. Paradoxically, the body is asleep, yet awareness is thought to remain “awake”.
Although the practice can lead to sleep, the deeper purpose is to let go of patterns (“samskara”), while in the yoga nidra state. Try it for yourself with the recorded practice below.
Free Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation
Please find a comfortable position preferably lying on your back, and enjoy this 30 minute free guided meditation audio. If you do fall asleep, that is completely ok! Let go and enjoy.
I hope you’ enjoyed this yoga nidra practice. If you’d like to check out more guided meditations you might enjoy:
- Meditation for nourishing Kidney Qi
- Meditation on Kindness (metta)
- Pause and Relax Meditation
- Calm Abiding Meditation
Wishing you a peaceful day.