Yoga Nidra – What Is It? And What Are the Benefits of This Practice?

If you’ve ever longed for a practice that lets you lie down, deeply rest, and still receive all the nourishing benefits of meditation—welcome to Yoga Nidra. Sometimes called “yogic sleep,” Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation done lying down, designed to bring you into a state of conscious rest that supports healing, restoration, and deep inner connection.

Whether you’re brand new to this practice or just curious about how it works, this blog will walk you through the magic of Yoga Nidra—and why it might just become your favourite ritual for rest and renewal.

What Is Yoga Nidra?

Yoga Nidra is an ancient yogic practice, traditionally used to reach deep states of relaxation and awareness. In Sanskrit, nidra means “sleep,” but Yoga Nidra is not about drifting off into unconsciousness. Instead, it’s about guiding the body into deep rest while keeping the mind awake and aware.

Through breath awareness, body scanning, visualisation, and intention-setting, a Yoga Nidra practice takes you on a journey inward—gently peeling away stress, tension, and mental chatter.

It’s like a deep meditative nap for your nervous system.

The Science Behind Yoga Nidra

Modern science has been catching up with what yogis have known for centuries. Research into Yoga Nidra shows promising benefits for mental health, emotional resilience, and overall wellbeing.

One study published in the International Journal of Yoga found that Yoga Nidra significantly reduced stress and anxiety in college students, suggesting it may be especially helpful during times of high pressure or transition.

Another study in the Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology revealed that regular practice of Yoga Nidra helped lower blood pressure and improved heart rate variability—a key indicator of how well our bodies handle stress.

And perhaps most striking of all, research from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center found Yoga Nidra to be effective in helping soldiers cope with PTSD, with reduced symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, and depression.

Benefits of Yoga Nidra

Here are just a few of the gifts this practice can offer:

• Deep rest and better sleep

  
  

  Yoga Nidra helps calm the nervous system and quiet the mind, supporting more restorative sleep—even for those who struggle with insomnia.

  
  

• Reduced anxiety and stress

  
  

  By shifting the brain into slower wave states, Yoga Nidra helps move us out of “fight or flight” and into “rest and digest.”

  
  

• Improved focus and mental clarity

  
  

  Just 20 minutes of Yoga Nidra can leave you feeling recharged and clear-headed, much like a power nap (but deeper).

  
  

• Supports emotional healing

  
  

  The practice gently creates space to process emotions and release stored tension from the body.

  
  

• Accessible for everyone

  
  

  You don’t need to be flexible, experienced, or even able to sit up—Yoga Nidra is practiced entirely lying down, making it accessible to most bodies and needs.

Ready to Try Yoga Nidra?

If you’re curious to explore this practice, I offer online Yoga Nidra sessions as part of my on-demand library over at Wild Wood Movement. These sessions are designed to help you wind down, reconnect, and restore—wherever you are, whenever you need it.

Whether you’re winding down at night, taking a midday pause, or needing emotional nourishment, Yoga Nidra can become a powerful anchor in your day.

Come as you are, lie down, and let the rest unfold.

If you’re new to the practice, I suggest starting with a guided session from my on-demand page—designed for beginners and seasoned rest-seekers alike.

You can explore the full library here http://www.wildwoodmovement.co.uk. Let this be your invitation to slow down, soften, and simply be.

“The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep.” – E. Joseph Cossman

(And if sleep feels far away, Yoga Nidra might just be your bridge.)

Namaste 🙏