Yoga-nidrā: A State of Mind, Not a Technique

Abstract

Since its introduction to the West in 1969 by Swāmī Rāma through experiments conducted at the U.S. Menninger Foundation, yoga-nidrā has become a popular practice among yoga teachers from many traditions. The result is a patchwork of techniques incorporating a variety of practices and procedures. It has come to be thought of primarily as technique and the variability of techniques across traditions has engendered debate about which technique is right. In fact, yoga-nidrā is defined by Swāmī Rāma, as well as by textual sources, as a state of mind where the practitioner consciously enters a state of deep, dreamless (non-REM) sleep, remaining both inwardly aware and aware of their external surroundings. The more a practitioner has managed to keep the parasympathetic relaxation system continuously activated through moment-to-moment mindfulness practice, the less technique is required to enter that state. The only way to be certain that someone has entered this state is to measure their brain waves with an electro-encephalogram (EEG) for predominance of delta waves and to test their awareness of their surroundings. For purposes of getting to the state of yoga-nidrā, any of the preparatory techniques will serve, although none are a guarantee that the state will be reached.