Feb 02 2024 24 mins 2
Yoga nidra is a guided meditation where you lie down and are led through a calming experience that is a mix of a nap and reclined meditation. It is a way for your body and mind to take a break that feels super relaxing.
During yoga nidra you focus on your breath and sensations in your body. This helps your brain take a break from constant external stimuli and find joy in simpler quieter moments. It is like giving your brain a little rest. It will help you enjoy the smaller and more peaceful things around you.
Yoga nidra creates a deep restorative state that triggers the brain to release neurotransmitters including dopamine. Studies show that Yoga Nidra techniques increase the endogenous release of dopamine in the system by up to 65%. Dopamine helps us to feel pleasure, feel rewarded and helps us to maintain focus. It is an antidote to depression and amplifies your motivation and positive outlook on the world.
When your body releases its own dopamine, it heightens your bodyβs ability to manage the impulse to act on unhelpful habits and addictions. Things like constant digital stimulation from social media.
Through the sense withdrawal of yoga nidra, you are giving your brain a chance to recalibrate and restore sensitivity to more subtle and natural sources of pleasure.
