RELAXATION & YOGA NIDRA
`Yoga is great for relaxation`, - one of the often quoted justifications for `doing` yoga. How we love to simplify some things, when at times a little more explanation might be useful. Yes it is true that yoga can be relaxing but we should remember that the purpose for achieving that state of relaxation is not just for its own sake, but for the further benefits it brings.
First we should differentiate between `relaxation` techniques and `Yoga nidra`. Relaxation is a movement or technique to bring about being relaxed, that is with normal levels of muscular tension and absence of high levels of mental stress: as such it is one aspect of a normal healthy lifestyle. Being relaxed allows the body to correct imbalances, heal and regenerate physically and mentally. Yoga nidra, often known as `yoga sleep`, is a positive practice to take the mind into a state of deep awareness, a condition where sleep is replaced by intense relaxation, and to open the mind to a condition where mental control and meditation can be more effective.
Modern psychotherapeutic techniques owe much to the ancient teachings of yoga. Two modern techniques commonly used in developing the ability to realise the state of relaxation are: Autogenic and Progressive Relaxation.
Progressive Relaxation is achieved by alternately tensing and then releasing the tension in the muscles. The effect is for the mind to become conscious of what it feels like to be tense, and vice versa to know what it feels like to be relaxed. In this method the practitioner may be sitting with the back supported, or lying. Working with each part of the body in turn the muscles may be tensed and then relaxed with awareness. In this way it becomes easy to recognise tension in the body as it develops, and to consciously relax the affected parts at will. As a general rule muscles can contract but cannot stretch themselves out. This job has to be done by the opposing muscles. Thus the biceps muscle may contract to bend the elbow, but the triceps are required to straighten the arm again. This is vital to remember in certain parts of the body that are tension `hot spots`.
The hand holds tension by clenching the hand. Simply clenching the fist more tightly and then trying to release it will not work without conscious action. To release hand tension the hand must be flexed in the opposite way, that is by stretching the hand wide open (and perhaps visualising the tensions rolling away from the palm of the hand), and then relaxing the hand so that the fingers remain only lightly curled.
In a similar way the face holding tension in the form of a furrowed brow, tight down turned mouth and straining eyes is best relaxed not by scowling even more dramatically, but by opening the face in a broad smile, or by taking a deep breath and then silently shouting `YES`. The stretched muscles remain less tensed, and the face will feel more open.
Autogenic Relaxation was first used as a modern relaxation technique in the 1920s by Dr Schultz who used it as a form of hypnosis for healing. In the 1970s Autogenic Relaxation was taken up as an alternative therapy along with encounter therapy, and the ideas of Reich and Rolf. Autogenic relaxation relies on the concept of the link between body and mind. Unlike progressive relaxation, autogenic relaxation uses the power of the mind to induce deep relaxation. The benefits of this technique are said to be help in the control of some of the unconscious functions of the sympathetic nervous system, improved oxygen uptake in athletes, and release of repressed emotions such as fear, anger and grief. These can result in relieving symptoms of excessive stress such as depression, migraines, slow recovery from injury, cramps, backaches and other seemingly simple physical ailments.
Autogenic relaxation is brought about by focusing mentally on opposing sensations in the body. Sitting or lying flat the practitioner thinks of parts of the body feeling heavy and then light and weightless, or cool and then warm. The stomach may be concentrated on as feeling warm and at the same time the forehead feeling cool. Positive affirmations such as `I feel heavy`, followed by `I feel light`, help the mind to focus and to concentrate on the effects of the technique
Yoga Nidra may be seen both as the forerunner, and an extension of the previous methods. In yoga nidra it is usual to begin the practice with a positive affirmation, or sankalpa, relevant to one`s life. A sankalpa is a resolution of a spiritual nature and perhaps gives a goal to aim for in life - realisation of God or the Self, is perhaps the ultimate sankalpa. There then follows a period of induced relaxation physically, followed by mental concentration and focusing to clear the mind of day to day matters. Eventually just as the body enters a state of apparently being `asleep` or `not there`, the mind also steps back from uncontrolled thoughts to find a state of inner awareness when inner silence, or the nada (inner sound) are all that the Self is aware of. We are told that even a short period of yoga nidra is as beneficial to the body as a good night`s sleep. On returning to normal consciousness, before moving, it is usual to repeat the sankalpa. The sankalpa should always be visualised and thought on positively and with the firm intention to work towards its achievement .
Whether these forms of relaxation are practised as a part of a longer and complete session of yoga practice, or in short breaks from the stresses of the day they can help in the transformation of the person which yoga can bring out.
`Yoga is great for relaxation`, - one of the often quoted justifications for `doing` yoga. How we love to simplify some things, when at times a little more explanation might be useful. Yes it is true that yoga can be relaxing but we should remember that the purpose for achieving that state of relaxation is not just for its own sake, but for the further benefits it brings.
First we should differentiate between `relaxation` techniques and `Yoga nidra`. Relaxation is a movement or technique to bring about being relaxed, that is with normal levels of muscular tension and absence of high levels of mental stress: as such it is one aspect of a normal healthy lifestyle. Being relaxed allows the body to correct imbalances, heal and regenerate physically and mentally. Yoga nidra, often known as `yoga sleep`, is a positive practice to take the mind into a state of deep awareness, a condition where sleep is replaced by intense relaxation, and to open the mind to a condition where mental control and meditation can be more effective.
Modern psychotherapeutic techniques owe much to the ancient teachings of yoga. Two modern techniques commonly used in developing the ability to realise the state of relaxation are: Autogenic and Progressive Relaxation.
Progressive Relaxation is achieved by alternately tensing and then releasing the tension in the muscles. The effect is for the mind to become conscious of what it feels like to be tense, and vice versa to know what it feels like to be relaxed. In this method the practitioner may be sitting with the back supported, or lying. Working with each part of the body in turn the muscles may be tensed and then relaxed with awareness. In this way it becomes easy to recognise tension in the body as it develops, and to consciously relax the affected parts at will. As a general rule muscles can contract but cannot stretch themselves out. This job has to be done by the opposing muscles. Thus the biceps muscle may contract to bend the elbow, but the triceps are required to straighten the arm again. This is vital to remember in certain parts of the body that are tension `hot spots`.
The hand holds tension by clenching the hand. Simply clenching the fist more tightly and then trying to release it will not work without conscious action. To release hand tension the hand must be flexed in the opposite way, that is by stretching the hand wide open (and perhaps visualising the tensions rolling away from the palm of the hand), and then relaxing the hand so that the fingers remain only lightly curled.
In a similar way the face holding tension in the form of a furrowed brow, tight down turned mouth and straining eyes is best relaxed not by scowling even more dramatically, but by opening the face in a broad smile, or by taking a deep breath and then silently shouting `YES`. The stretched muscles remain less tensed, and the face will feel more open.
Autogenic Relaxation was first used as a modern relaxation technique in the 1920s by Dr Schultz who used it as a form of hypnosis for healing. In the 1970s Autogenic Relaxation was taken up as an alternative therapy along with encounter therapy, and the ideas of Reich and Rolf. Autogenic relaxation relies on the concept of the link between body and mind. Unlike progressive relaxation, autogenic relaxation uses the power of the mind to induce deep relaxation. The benefits of this technique are said to be help in the control of some of the unconscious functions of the sympathetic nervous system, improved oxygen uptake in athletes, and release of repressed emotions such as fear, anger and grief. These can result in relieving symptoms of excessive stress such as depression, migraines, slow recovery from injury, cramps, backaches and other seemingly simple physical ailments.
Autogenic relaxation is brought about by focusing mentally on opposing sensations in the body. Sitting or lying flat the practitioner thinks of parts of the body feeling heavy and then light and weightless, or cool and then warm. The stomach may be concentrated on as feeling warm and at the same time the forehead feeling cool. Positive affirmations such as `I feel heavy`, followed by `I feel light`, help the mind to focus and to concentrate on the effects of the technique
Yoga Nidra may be seen both as the forerunner, and an extension of the previous methods. In yoga nidra it is usual to begin the practice with a positive affirmation, or sankalpa, relevant to one`s life. A sankalpa is a resolution of a spiritual nature and perhaps gives a goal to aim for in life - realisation of God or the Self, is perhaps the ultimate sankalpa. There then follows a period of induced relaxation physically, followed by mental concentration and focusing to clear the mind of day to day matters. Eventually just as the body enters a state of apparently being `asleep` or `not there`, the mind also steps back from uncontrolled thoughts to find a state of inner awareness when inner silence, or the nada (inner sound) are all that the Self is aware of. We are told that even a short period of yoga nidra is as beneficial to the body as a good night`s sleep. On returning to normal consciousness, before moving, it is usual to repeat the sankalpa. The sankalpa should always be visualised and thought on positively and with the firm intention to work towards its achievement .
Whether these forms of relaxation are practised as a part of a longer and complete session of yoga practice, or in short breaks from the stresses of the day they can help in the transformation of the person which yoga can bring out.