The concept of Yoga Nidra has ancient roots in Indian traditions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, and is as old as yoga itself. The contemporary form of Yoga Nidra is widely attributed to Swami Satyananda, who developed it in the mid-20th century after extensive study of tantric scriptures. During the 1940s and early 1950s, while serving as a disciple to his guru, Swami Sivananda, in Rishikesh, India, Swami Satyananda formulated the modern Yoga Nidra technique.
In his work on Yoga Nidra, Swami Satyananda describes eight stages to achieve a pure state of Yoga Nidra:
1. Internalization
2. Sankalpa—a resolution made during practice to clearly define and focus on a particular goal
3. Rotation of Consciousness
4. Breath Awareness
5. Manifestation of Opposites
6. Creative Visualization
7. Sankalpa—understanding one’s resolution at a deeper level
8. Externalization
Swami Satyananda explained that the term Yoga Nidra consists of two words: “yoga” and “nidra,” the latter meaning ‘sleep’. He defined Yoga Nidra as follows: “During the practice of Yoga Nidra, one appears to be asleep, but the consciousness is functioning at a deeper level of awareness. For this reason, Yoga Nidra is often referred to as psychic sleep or deep relaxation with inner awareness.”
As a Sanskrit compound, Yoga Nidra can be interpreted in several ways, including ‘the sleep that is yoga,’ ‘the sleep caused by yoga,’ and ‘the sleep of yoga.’ The specific meaning of the term depends on its historical context, which gives Yoga Nidra two different meanings.
1. A Yoga-tantra technique Based on the studies of Swami Satyananda of tantric scriptures and his further development of this technique, Yoga Nidra refers to a powerful relaxation and meditation technique derived from ancient tantra and developed by Swami Satyananda of the Bihar School of Yoga. The technique of Yoga Nidra referred to here, brings about deep body-mind relaxation with the ultimate goal of increasing self-awareness. Yoga Nidra enables the practitioner to remain aware while entering the dream and sleeping states of consciousness. The state of Yoga Nidra occurs when you can remain conscious during the deep sleep state (called ‘prajna’ in the Mandukya Upanishad). The technique is practical and easily accessible while contributing simultaneously to the experience of deep relaxation for health, mental peace and higher awareness. Ultimately, Yoga Nidra induces states of higher consciousness.
Upon completing the Yoga Nidra and/or Restorative Yoga Teacher Training courses, graduates will be well-equipped to incorporate these powerful practices into their teaching repertoire. They can enhance their existing yoga classes with Yoga Nidra sessions and restorative yoga sequences, offering students a deeper level of relaxation and healing. Additionally, graduates can add the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours to their profiles, showcasing their advanced skills and dedication to professional growth. This certification not only enriches their teaching portfolio but also opens up new opportunities to lead specialized workshops and retreats, further expanding their impact in the wellness community
Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Program (TTP)
30 CPD Points | Online via Zoom
Immerse yourself in the art of deep relaxation and healing through our comprehensive Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Program. This 30-hour, CPD-accredited course is designed for yoga teachers, practitioners, and wellness professionals who seek to deepen their knowledge of restorative practices and enhance their teaching repertoire.
Course Highlights:
This training will provide you with a thorough understanding of how to guide students towards stillness, peace, and rejuvenation. Suitable for all levels, it is especially beneficial for those seeking to support individuals dealing with stress, anxiety, or fatigue.
My name is Ildy, and I am the lead teacher of the Kundalini Tantra Yoga Teacher Training course.
While Yoga Nidra is included in our training, I realized that many programs do not delve deeply enough into this profound practice. Yoga teachers and wellness practitioners might be seeking a more comprehensive understanding.
Therefore, I decided to offer this specialized training for those who wish to deepen their practice and expand their offerings.
Since the beginning of my teaching career, I have felt deeply connected to Yoga Nidra and have been dedicated to teaching and practising it.
I feel it gives me a wonderful tool to connect to my SOUL.
I wish you all the best as you embark on this beautiful and deep practice.
Please note that the two courses can be done independently or together.
Please leave your email address below to receive our Newsletters
