Are you struggling to drift into a restful slumber or waking up feeling depleted and unprepared for the day ahead? If so, you’re not alone.
A recent survey found that 20% of Americans find it difficult to fall asleep, while many more wake up during the night, leaving them exhausted and unrefreshed the next day.
Modern life doesn’t have to keep you in this rhythm, you have options and one of them is the practice of Yoga Nidra. It is an ancient transformative sleep practice that can help you reclaim your sleep, life, and overall well-being.
What Is Yoga Nidra?
Yoga Nidra, also known as “yogic sleep,” is a powerful technique that induces deep relaxation while maintaining full consciousness. This practice of conscious relaxation guides practitioners through the pancha maya kosha (five layers of self), offering a gateway to inner peace, rejuvenation, and self-discovery.
Why Yoga Nidra?
In our modern world, most individuals experience overwhelming stress, anxiety, and disconnection from their inner selves. Yoga Nidra, however, provides a timeless gateway to address these issues by promoting deep relaxation, higher performance, and lonegvity. This practice also helps to alleviate acute and chronic stress making it an essential tool for our fast-paced, ever-changing world.
Who Is It For?
Yoga Nidra is suitable for everyone, from seasoned yogis to complete beginners. It’s particularly beneficial for those looking to establish better sleep hygiene. Wanting to improve your sleep quality, manage stress, or simply take a moment to reconnect with yourself is a strategy of self-care. Whether you’re a busy professional, a student, or a parent, Yoga Nidra can fit seamlessly into your routine.
What Will It Do for You?
The benefits of Yoga Nidra are vast and transformative. Practicing this technique can lead to:
- Enhanced Relaxation: Enter a state of deep relaxation, reducing anxiety and stress.
- Improved Sleep: Experience better sleep quality and alleviate insomnia.
- Emotional Healing: Address traumas and promotes mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Key Stages of Yoga Nidra
- Preparation: Settle comfortably into a lying position.
- Sankalpa (Intention Setting): Establish a personal intention for the practice.
- Body Awareness: Relax each body part, starting from the toes.
- Breath Awareness: Focus on your natural breathing rhythm.
- Sensation and Emotion Awareness: Acknowledge any sensations or emotions that arise.
- Visualization: Engage in guided imagery to deepen relaxation.
- Sankalpa Reinforcement: Reaffirm your intention if set earlier.
- Return to External Awareness: Gradually transition back while retaining calm.
When Is It Recommended To Practice?
You can practice Yoga Nidra at any time of the day, but most people find it particularly beneficial as part of their nighttime ritual to help wind down before sleep or after a yoga session to enhance the benefits of their practice.
Where Do You Practice Yoga Nidra?
Yoga Nidra can be practiced lying down in a comfortable position, whether on a yoga mat, in your living room, or your bed before drifting off to sleep. It requires minimal setup and can easily be integrated into your daily lifestyle.
The Benefits of Yoga Nidra
- Reduction of Stress and Anxiety: By systematically relaxing the body and mind, Yoga Nidra can help lower cortisol levels, leading to reduced stress and anxiety.
- Improved Sleep Quality: Many practitioners find that regular Yoga Nidra enhances their overall sleep quality, making it easier to fall and stay asleep.
- Regenerative Ritual: This is a life-long practice you can do anywhere with short and long-term gains.
Experience the Power of Yoga Nidra
If you’re ready to explore the profound benefits of Yoga Nidra and many other practices, join me in this journey so you can elevate your health, life, and leadership.
Allison Adams is a holistic health and leadership coach, facilitator, and consultant for conscious leaders and brands in the hospitality and wellness space. She’s the host of the Discover WellBeing Podcast and the creator of EXALTED, her signature program for visionary female leaders over 40, where she guides them in becoming their most healthy, impactful, and fulfilled selves.
Allison’s suite of transformative coaching, programs, retreats, and business development offerings are designed to deliver holistic, thriving results for clients globally. So when you’re ready to thrive in your life or business, book a Free Destined To Thrive Strategy Call to gain clarity about your path forward.