What is Yoga Nidra?
🌙 What Is Yoga Nidra?
The practice of conscious rest
In a world that celebrates doing, achieving, and producing, Yoga Nidra is a radical invitation to simply be. Often called “yogic sleep,” it’s a form of guided meditation that brings you to a place between wakefulness and sleep — a state of profound rest and deep awareness.
Unlike traditional yoga, there are no poses to perfect and no effort required. You simply lie down, close your eyes, and are guided through a journey of awareness that draws you inward — through the body, the breath, and the quiet landscape of the mind.
🕊️ The Meaning Behind the Name
The Sanskrit words Yoga Nidra translate to “union” (yoga) and “sleep” (nidra). But this isn’t about falling asleep. It’s about entering a state of conscious sleep, where the body rests deeply, yet the mind remains aware.
Ancient yogic texts describe it as a pathway to the deepest layers of self — where healing, clarity, and creativity naturally arise. Modern science now recognises that this state activates the parasympathetic nervous system, supporting nervous-system regulation, hormone balance, and emotional wellbeing.
🌿 How It Works
A traditional Yoga Nidra practice gently guides you through several stages of awareness, often including:
Settling the body – Finding stillness and comfort, usually lying on your back with support under the knees and head.
Sankalpa (Intention) – Planting a heartfelt intention or affirmation — a quiet reminder of what you are nurturing in yourself.
Rotation of Consciousness – Moving awareness systematically through the body to release muscular and mental tension.
Breath Awareness – Resting your attention on the rhythm of your breath, soft and natural.
Opposites & Sensation – Exploring dualities such as heaviness and lightness, warmth and coolness, to balance the nervous system.
Visualisation – Guided imagery that opens the door to the subconscious mind.
Silent Awareness – Resting in stillness, simply witnessing.
Re-awakening – Gently returning to external awareness, carrying that sense of calm and clarity with you.
💫 Why Practice Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is accessible to everyone — no experience, flexibility, or fitness required. It can support:
Deep relaxation and better sleep
Reduced stress, anxiety, and overwhelm
Improved focus and emotional balance
Enhanced creativity and intuition
A greater sense of connection to self
Even a short practice can leave you feeling clear, refreshed, and grounded — as if you’ve had a full night’s sleep in a matter of minutes.
🌸 Yoga Nidra at Tiroana Studio
At Tiroana, Yoga Nidra is offered through the REST class — a 30-minute guided lying-down meditation designed to help you unwind, reconnect, and restore balance. Each month carries a new theme and intention, inviting you to explore your inner landscape with gentleness and ease.
Participants often describe these sessions as “a soft return home to self.”
It’s more than relaxation — it’s a remembrance of the peace already within you.
✨ Begin Your Practice
If you’re curious to experience Yoga Nidra for yourself:
Join a REST class at Tiroana Studio — Tuesdays 7:00–7:30 pm.
Or explore Shona’s guided Yoga Nidra meditations on Insight Timer.
All you need is a quiet space, a mat or bed, a blanket, and an open heart.
“Yoga Nidra is the art of falling awake — resting into the wholeness of who you already are.”
— Shona Great, Tiroana Studio