It might sound very strange, but since I’ve started Yoga my dreams seem to become more “alive”. It’s almost like you’re actually there, and you can make your own decisions. At least, that’s what it feels like.
Is this normal when you’re starting with Yoga?
And what could cause it to happen?
Thank you for your help.
Namaste.
I’m sure more experienced Yogi’s will have more comprehensive answers, but my own perspective on this is that when starting yoga, you are opening up the flow of energy channels that have been blocked for a long time. You are also focusing the mind in a new way that I would think is extremely refreshing, and it is causing changes in the brain and mind, good ones, that are making your dreams more vivid and alive.
I think it’s wonderful that you are seeing this kind of change.
How do you feel mentally throughout your day compared to how you felt before you started yoga?
Thanks for your answer. It sounds logically.
I feel much better during the day. More energetic and am happy all the day. Which is kind of a big change. I used to be depressed untill about May/June of 2009. But it takes a long time to get out of such a thing. But now I don’t have any depressed thoughts during the day. I also seem to “live better”. Without having to think about it. Like, taking less snacks and drinking more water.
It really feels like a miracle to me.
Your description looks like “lucid dreaming”, that you can look up with wikipedia. It’s rarely a result of yoga postures, alone. Are you doing some meditation, too? As with everything that arises as a result of our practices, just notice it and let it go. Of course, if something comes up that you do not understand, you can always talk to your teacher. If things come up that are disturbing, this calls for self-pacing. That means that you cut down on the length, frequency, or intensity of your practices to make your evolution easier. It sounds like you are doing very well, so all the best to you!
I’ll look it up at wikipedia. I’ve been meditating for 6 years now. I’ve had lucid dreams before, but not so frequently as I have them since starting with Yoga. Thanks for your aswer.
You are welcome. I had some lucid dreams when I started meditating. Since the dreams were mostly nightmares, this wasn’t much fun. I later found out that it is better for me not to meditate late in the evening or just before going to bed. Meditation changes sleep patterns. Meditating in the morning or before dinner in the evening is much better.
Meditating during a depressive episode can sometimes be counterproductive, too. There is a potential that it leads to too much introversion and more brooding. But you have to see for yourself if this is true. If it is, there are good alternatives, such as chanting or guided meditations like yoga nidra.
I always do some meditation after my Yoga in the morning. While I was depressed I didn’t feel like it made it worse, but it didn’t change anything either. But my lucid dreams are not bad ones. I have some dream cathers in my room, and for some reason they have always worked. So even during my depressive period, I never had nightmares. But I’m out of my depression now. And it won’t come back anytime soon.