Yoga Nidra a technique for deep relaxation
I’m a big believer in the power of sleep. I’m fortunate to regularly get at least 6 hours of sleep a night—and I feel the difference when I don’t. Without quality rest, I struggle to function: I get cranky, I lose motivation to exercise, my focus vanishes, and I crave carbs and sugar. In short, everything I try to avoid comes rushing in.
Just the other night, I was talking to a friend over dinner. Because of her work schedule, she wakes up in the early hours of the morning and feels perpetually jetlagged. She’s not flying across time zones, but her circadian rhythm is completely off—just like she was. As a result, she’s gained weight, has no energy to work out, and constantly craves carbs. A recipe for burnout and poor health.
I recommended two things that have made a big difference in my life:
Ashwagandha – a powerful adaptogen that helps relax the nervous system and promote deeper sleep.
Yoga Nidra – a meditative, sleep-inducing yoga practice that’s as restorative as it is effective.
Yoga Nidra works by reinforcing new brain pathways creating more positive habits.
What Is Yoga Nidra and Why Should You Try It?
Yoga Nidra, also known as "yogic sleep," is a guided meditation done lying down—either on a yoga mat or in bed—in Savasana, the classic corpse pose. Arms and legs are relaxed, slightly open, and the body is often covered with a light blanket to maintain warmth as your temperature naturally drops.
So why is it so effective?
First, Yoga Nidra uses repeated sensory cues to shift attention inward, creating a calming response known as habituation. By focusing on the body and breath, the mind begins to quiet, letting go of external distractions.
Second, it taps into neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections. By consciously exploring emotions and memories during the practice, we can create new neural pathways—replacing old patterns (like anxiety or insomnia) with healthier, more supportive ones.
A trained instructor guides you through the five layers of self-awareness—known in yogic philosophy as the koshas—to bring you into a deeply restful yet conscious state. Sometimes, you may even fall asleep mid-practice. But whether you do or not, most people wake up feeling more refreshed, centered, and even joyful.
Yoga Nidra also includes guided breathing and a full-body scan that resets the nervous system. It's especially beneficial if you're stuck in a cortisol feedback loop—when stress keeps you wired and unable to fall asleep, even though you're exhausted. This happens to me, too, especially after a couple of nights with poor rest.
Because of its calming and restorative effects, Yoga Nidra is often recommended for those struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or chronic stress. And once your mind finds relief, restful sleep tends to follow.
Ready to Try It?
Now that you know the benefits of Yoga Nidra, it’s time to roll out your mat or simply lie back in bed and give it a try.
I’ve been using the Glo platform for over ten years—they offer a fantastic selection of Yoga Nidra classes, and if you're curious, but want to start simple, here’s a short session to get you started.
Afterward, I like to sip a calming Cacao Latte from Tusol, which contains both ashwagandha and cacao—two ingredients known for promoting relaxation and deeper sleep.
Give it a go and let us know how you feel. Sweet dreams!
