Have you ever heard the phrase “dynamic sleep”? It’s a meditation practice that enables us to deeply relax our bodies, while our minds remain alert inwardly. 

It’s more commonly known as yoga nidra or yogic sleep, and renowned guru Swami Satyananda Saraswati defined it as “reaching the border between waking and sleeping states”. 

Yoga nidra has been used for centuries to achieve a deep state of meditative consciousness also known as “peace beyond words”. I have combined yoga nidra with hypnosis techniques to create HypnoNidra. 

In the modern age, yoga nidra has helped people with a range of conditions, from PTSD and depression, to pre-menstrual syndrome and high blood sugar. Let’s examine how it and HypnoNidra® both work. 

Reaching a hypnagogic state

Yoga nidra separates the ‘flight or fight’ and ‘rest and digest’ parts of the nervous system, enabling changes in beta, alpha, theta and delta brain waves that result in profound relaxation. 

Experts have said a 30-minute session of yoga nidra can be as restful as up to four hours of sleep. 

Unlike traditional yoga, there are no complicated body positions for yoga nidra. Simply lay on the floor as comfortably as possible, then start identifying areas of tension throughout your body. 

Achieving theta brain waves 

As you begin your session, you will move from a beta state – wakefulness – to a more relaxed alpha wave phase. 

As the meditation process continues, your thoughts will slow down further, entering the theta wave state. It’s at this stage you can let go of negative thought patterns from daily life and grasp the opportunity to change bad habits. 

Delta wave phase 

The yoga nidra practice will eventually take you to the delta wave stage, recognised by scientists as the most restorative for both mind and body. It’s also called the hypnagogic state, lying somewhere between wakefulness and sleep. 

During this phase, the stress hormone cortisol reaches its lowest levels, while hormones, including the powerful antioxidant melatonin, are stimulated, enabling the body to rest and heal. 

Some practitioners of yoga nidra experience what they call ‘thoughtlessness’ – an absence of all those decisions cluttering up their mind, rather than a negative way of dealing with others. 

For newcomers to yoga nidra, it can take some getting used to, but this form of mind reset can be both refreshing and liberating. When combined with hypnotherapy, it can be even more profound. 

The wider benefits of HypnoNidra®

Of course being able to deeply refresh the body and mind is hugely beneficial, considering many people don’t attain theta and delta sleep every night. The combination of hypnotherapy and yoga nidra can help. 

This is why I have created a unique and deeply relaxing practice called HypnoNidra®, it combines the therapeutic benefits of yoga nidra, hypnosis and meditation to allow the mind and body to relax and heal. I use positive suggestions and affirmations during the trance state to bring about feelings of wellbeing, self-compassion and balance.

Unsurprisingly, a study concluded yoga nidra was “an important adjunct in management of chronic insomnia patients”. HypnoNidra® can also ease anxiety and reinforce a positive mental outlook, enhancing physical and mental healing. 

Getting more or better sleep are not the only advantages of these treatments. Yoga nidra has also been found to help regulate women’s hormones and improve pre-menstrual syndrome symptoms. 

Studies have also found the therapy helped women with menstruation-linked depression and anxiety, and reduced stress levels among university students. 

In other reports, former military veterans said it alleviated their PTSD symptoms, including rage, while at the same time boosting feelings of relaxation and peace. HypnoNidra® has also helped people suffering with anxiety or insomnia as well as injuries, work-related stress or low self-esteem.

Yoga nidra has been used to help addicts as part of their rehabilitation process, as it allows them to tap into parts of themselves before their addiction. Amazingly, half an hour of yoga nidra for three months helped stabilise blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. 

How to practise yoga nidra

It is possible to practise yoga nidra at home. Here’s my quick guide on what to do. 

• First, focus on a health goal you long to make a reality, then visualise achieving it and immerse yourself in that feeling. 

• Keep the reason why you want to practise yoga nidra at the front of your mind. Find somewhere comfortable to lay down – a bed or on the floor are fine. 

• Scan your body for areas of tension, and focus closely on your breathing as it slows down. Embrace your feelings at this point, and try to balance any negatives with positives to ease your tension. 

• Observe your ‘self’. Be aware of who you are and how you feel, but as a witness, rather than a participant. Examine what feelings you were able to tap into during the yoga nidra session, and consider how you can incorporate them into your daily life. 

Let me help you on your HypnoNidra® journey

Practicing yoga nidra, whether it’s to improve your sleep or help deal with anxiety or depression, sounds simple on paper. But some people struggle to achieve any state of relaxation. 

That’s where I come in, with dedicated HypnoNidra® sessions which can help you calm and quieten your mind using a combination of hypnosis, yoga nidra and guided meditation.

I have used yoga and meditation for years, and that interest in the conscious and subconscious mind developed into a passion for neuroscience and the fascinating way our brains work.

For anyone battling chronic insomnia, there are solutions. I met a patient who had been suffering with the condition for more than 20 years. She firmly believed nothing would change. 

However, after eight sessions with me, her sleep quality vastly improved, leading to a positive effect on her mental attitude and wellbeing.

Book your class or initial consultation today 

I run regular HypnoNidra® sessions in Cambridge, a unique session that blends together the healing modalities of Hypnosis, yoga nidra and Crystal Singing Bowls.

To book your hypnotherapy or HypnoNidra® session, you can call 07359 188625, or email sevarin@lifeflowhypnotherapy.co.uk. Alternatively, fill in this contact form and I’ll get back to you straight away. You can also read more about my HypnoNidra® classes on my website.

There has never been a better time to take the first step towards reaching your goals. I can help you achieve them.