Episode 101: Yoga Nidra - Non Sleep Deep Rest
Episode 101:
A 25 minute Yoga Nidra class.
Yoga Nidra (nidra is sanskrit for sleep) involves a body scan, breathing practices, and imagery that reduces the activity of the prefrontal cortex. New research shows that both meditation and Yoga Nidra improve memory, mood, sleep efficiency and emotional regulation. Doing Yoga Nidra, a form of NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest), can even reduce a person’s overall sleep needs. The stress reduction that is brought about during these 20-30 minute sessions is good at offsetting some of the cortisol increases that are associated with reduced sleep or a poor night of sleep. This leads people to be able to function cognitively and physically better on reduced sleep. The reduction in stress creates a healthy pattern of cortisol release and thus the kind of sleep people get is deeper or they need less sleep. In this study there was a statistically significant reduction in cortisol (stress hormone) immediately after the yoga nidra practice. The reduction of cortisol during yoga nidra was shown to be even more effective than meditation. This practice is a concrete way to bring rest into your life. Falling asleep is ok!
Sarah Baumert has been teaching movement and creating Sarah B Yoga podcast classes since 2006. She is a certified yoga teacher, yoga therapist and Feldenkrais® practitioner. This podcast is an intersection of her yoga teaching and training in the Feldenkrais® method. Classes include sensory rich movement experiences for a more resilient and healthy nervous system to help you feel a greater sense of ease and comfort in yourself. Each podcast is an originally crafted class taught by Sarah Baumert. Sarah's teaching is alignment based, unhurried, and rich with somatic inquiries. The cueing is effective, easy to follow, and uses visualizations of postures to allow for unexpected growth and depth. You will find live unplugged versions of her classes from yoga studios, as well as classes that are specifically produced for the podcast medium.
Find more teachings like this class on the Body Matter website, including:
Yoga + Feldenkrais Blended Series
Live online classes
Self-paced courses &
The Body Matter Membership Library which includes livestream classes and recordings.
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