Yoga Nidra

Recently I have started practicing Yoga Nidra (Nidra=Sleep). In Yoga Nidra, you bring your consciousness between wakefulness and sleep through a systematic guided relaxation. It is an aspect of pratyahara, and eventually leads to Samadhi. Every source I have looked at says something a little different, but 30 minutes of Yoga Nidra is equivalent to approximately 2 hours of ordinary sleep! There are three kinds of tension that we accumulate; Muscular, Emotional, and Mental. Yoga nidra helps to release these tensions and cultivates peace within ourselves which we can then radiate out.

In the book I have on Yoga Nidra there is a table with the “States of Consciousness” on it…

1. Awake > Conscious mind > Sensory awareness, external knowledge
2. Yoga nidra > Superconscious mind > deep relaxation, visionary states
3. Dreaming sleep > Subconscioius mind > release of emotions
4. Deep sleep > Unconscious mind > Awakening of instincts

Om,
c

Returning

The holidays have pulled me from regular things. Practice included. So (and I don't know why) I'm afraid something won't be right when I return. Tonight, after work, I will recall this story as I settle onto my mat.

A father was rightfully proud of his daughters progress on the paino. He asked a well known composer, with whom he was acquainted, to listen to the girl play. The composer listened and when the girl finished the father asked, "Isn't she wonderful?" After a pause the composer observed, "She has amazing technique; I have never heard anyone play such a simple piece with such great difficulty."

Mike

Drishtis

Drishti - point of gaze or focus

Nasagrai - tip of the nose
Ajna Chakra - between the eyebrows
Nabi Chakra - the navel
Hastagrai - the hand
Padhayoragrai - the toes
Parsva Drishti - far to the right
Parsva Drishti - far to the left
Angusta Ma Dyai - the thumbs
Urdhva or Antara Drishti - up to the sky

Atma Drishti - keep your gaze on God / all you see is divine