Yoga Nidra/Savasana....the same?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Are Yoga Nidra and Savasana one and the same?

Here’s what I thought I knew…

  1. Yoga Nidra is a type of guided relaxation meditation. (Typically practiced with someone -or your own mind - leading you?)

  2. Savasana or corpse pose - is an asana. (Typically practiced with silence?)

  3. Typically, guided yoga nidra instructions advise lying in savasana.

So, they’re aren’t the same thing, right? The words aren’t interchangeable? They are two separate and distinct practices?

(I know I’m probably being pedantic here - but I just want to be clear in my own mind about it.)

#2

I’ve never practiced yoga nidra, and don’t know much about it, but I believe nidra is sleep. Savasana isn’t sleep.

#3

Yoga nidra, though most frequently practiced in savasana, is not the same.

Yoga Nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete mental, emotional and physical relaxation.

The 8 stages outlined by Swami Satyananda are designed to withdraw the practitioner’s senses, leading to the state of pratyahara:

  • Stage 1: Internalisation - where the awareness is brought within
    -Stage 2: Sankalpa - where the resolve is stated
    -Stage 3: Rotation of consciousness - where the awareness is systematically taken from body part to part
    -Stage 4: Breath awareness - where the awareness is focused on the breath
    -Stage 5: Manifestation of opposite sensations - where opposing sensations are manifested within the body
    -Stage 6: Creative visualization - where the awareness is guided through archetypal imagery
    -Stage 7: Sankalpa - where the resolve is restated
    -Stage 8: Externalization - where the awareness is focused on external sounds and sensations
#4

My knowledge is limited, and am practicing both savasana and yoga nidra. Savasana is the state of rest where I am conscious and in that ‘middle space’ between awake and asleep. Yoga Nidra is conscious sleep. It is that place of deep sleep, but I am fully aware and awake. Sounds weird, and it took a lot of practice. You bypass the dream stage altogether. For me, it’s helpful to be guided or I lose focus.

Word of warning: yoga nidra has a way of stirring up some deeply grounded shit.

#5

[QUOTE=FlexPenguin;69429]
Word of warning: yoga nidra has a way of stirring up some deeply grounded shit.[/QUOTE]

It sure does! A great resource is the book Yoga Nidra published by the Bihar school (written by Swami Satyananda).

Sometimes in savasana I practice the techniques within the stages ( like the body scan/ rotation of consciousness, breath awareness, etc) but generally a full yoga nidra practice is 45 minutes long and if I were to attempt this after a hatha practice at a studio, the next class would be partway through before i was ready to go :wink:

#6

Thanks for your replies and explanations. I am also practicing both - separate and distinct practices (30-35 minutes of savasana and later in the day a guided yoga nidra of 20-45 minutes).

In class this week something was said about them being the same and so I was becoming quite confused. :slight_smile: Whether I was ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ wasn’t the point…I just wanted to be clear in my own head.

I second your comment, Jen…the Yoga Nidra book you recommend by Swami Satyananda is excellent. I’ve recently picked up another yoga nidra book (by Richard Miller) that on quick review seems good also.

#7

Ahh yes! He does excellent word. The iRest “style” (for lack of a better term) of yoga nidra is very helpful for addressing post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. The work the iRest institute does is fascinating!! Check out:

www [dot] irest.us/ (I can’t post links yet :slight_smile: )

#8

Kris,

Generally speaking the brain waves (or “mental state”) in Shavasana is completely different than that of Yoga Nidra. This assumes both are properly guided (by the teacher) and manifested (by the student).

It is highly unlikely, due to the mental requirements and brain state, that a student can move themselves into a true Yoga Nidra. It must be facilitated by someone else. There may be renunciates living in a cave that are exceptions, I do not know.

Shavasana you can have on your own.

#9

Corpse Pose (Shavasana)

These asanas provide mental peace and one feels energetic after just few hours of practice. This asana has two variations. You can learn this http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/yoga/asanas/corpse_pose.asp

Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra is a qualitatively different sleep that is connected with the state of the mind and its consciousness. The practice Yoga Nidra, reduces the day to day tensions and one attains a more peaceful state in it. Lliterally, Yoga Nidra is yogic sleep and is about being in a relaxed state of awareness.

http://www.healthandyoga.com/marketplace/hnydescmp/523130212/detail.aspx