Yoga helps in relaxation of body and mind

Most people know yoga for the excellent physical exercise that it is and for those who regularly practise yoga, they understand the mindbody connection. Yoga nidra is different. Ni dra is a term for ‘yogic sleep’ and while you don’t exactly fall asleep, you do go into a combined alert awareness and deep relaxation state. Practitioners of yoga nidra experience both alpha brain waves and eventually theta brain waves. It is in this state that your brain is able to tap into your own intuition, creativity and health. One of the purposes of yoga nidra is to balance the left and right brain activity, bringing about a sense of peace and calm. It also removes tension and stress from the subconscious and unconscious levels of your mind. Most lifestyle diseases are triggered by stress so what better way to tackle it than guided relaxation. It’s important for each of us to relax. When the body and the mind are constantly overworked, their natural efficiency to perform diminishes. Stress is nothing but an overactive mind.  

Nowadays social life, food, work, entertainment, struggle to pursue a career while rearing a family, all make it difficult for people to relax. Even while trying to rest, the average person expends a lot of physical and mental energy through tension. Relaxation is an excellent cooling process for the human body. It’s the most natural way of re-energising. The savasana or guided deep relaxation practised at the end of a yoga class replenishes the energy reserves of the body. That’s why you never feel drained out after a yoga class. 

Instead, you feel charged with positive energy. Therefore, it’s important to keep aside sufficient time for yoga nidra after yoga postures. In savasana, only a very small amount of life energy (prana) is used, just enough to maintain vital metabolic activities. The rest of the energy is stored. With yoga nidra, you feel like you have done nothing and still feel lighter, energetic and much more inspired prior to the practice. This deep relaxation includes three levels: physical, mental and spiritual relaxation. Complete or perfect relaxation is possible only when all three levels are involved.

Physical relaxation first begins by contracting and releasing all the muscles, starting with the toes and then moving upwards. The auto-sensation passes through the muscles and reaches the eyes and ears at the top. Then, slowly, messages are sent to the kidneys, liver and the other internal organs. This relaxation position is known as savasana. You take constant, deep breaths. Then take a few deep breaths, bring your consciousness back to your body, move your fingers and wriggle your toes, wake up your arms and legs. Take a deep breath and stretch your arms over your head to give your body a good, deep stretch. Finally sit up straight in a comfortable cross-legged position and chant the mantra ‘Om’ three times with your eyes closed.

A mind flooded with sensory impressions is overtaxed and tires easily. In fact, worrying consumes more energy than physical tension. Mental fatigue ultimately leads to physical fatigue. So daily relaxation should not be seen as a luxury but rather as a necessity for keeping ourselves healthy and effective. When you realise that your mind is tense, take a few minutes to breathe slowly and regularly and concentrate on your breathing. Yoga breathing exercises or Pra nayama as we discussed in the previous article, will make you aware of your breathing quite naturally. Rhythmic breathing brings physical and mental relaxation.

Through spiritual relaxation you will realise that all happiness comes from within. Yoga relaxation techniques help us establish this inner connection and overcome obstacles which separate us from our true self as well as from other people.