Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7630 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-12
• Binding: Paperback
• 261 pages

Synopsis
Yoga Nidra, which is derived from the tantras, is a powerful technique in which you learn to relax consciously. In yoga nidra, sleep is not regarded as relaxation. People feel that they are relaxing when they collapse in an easy chair with a cup of coffee, a drink or a cigarette, and read a newspaper or switch on the television. But this will never suffice as a scientific definition of relaxation. These are only sensory diversions. True relaxation is actually an experience far beyond all this. For absolute relaxation you must remain aware. This is yoga nidra, the state of dynamic sleep. Yoga nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. The term yoga nidra is derived from two Sanskrit words, yoga meaning union or one-pointed awareness, and nidra which means sleep. During the practice of yoga nidra, one appears to be asleep, but the consciousness is functioning at a deeper level of awareness.

Customer Reviews

very very good
a very good and informative book specially when used in combination with the cd made by the author (seperat buy) on which you find two sessions of yoga nidra leading to deep relaxation helping you to train, develop an one-pointed mind. Excellent is all I can say

A window into a sacred science
You don't need to have done any kind of yoga before to be able to use this book to improve your life. All you need is a floor, a blanket and a friend to read to you, or a cassette player. The exercises, and the theoretical descriptions in the first part of the book, have given me huge stores of energy, motivation and concentration, in all of my activities.

It's extraordinary to think that this great Swamiji, born in a small village in the Himalayan foothills, has written so many clear, lucid textbooks to guide truth seekers all over the world.

On a sideline, I have listened to quite a few Yoga Nidra tapes made by other great teachers in other yoga schools, but have not encountered any quite as good as those I've recorded onto a tape from this book.

I'm quoting here the end of the "Sacred mountain" visualisation that I hope one day to be able to master in my practise - it is in my 1984 edition, although it may not be in the recent editions, it should give you a flavour of the sacred knowledge Swamiji is imparting onto us.

"You trudge languidly on alone... and finally reach the top... Where the guide is waiting for you. As you observe the spectacular panoramic view, a feeling of exhilaration floods through your body and mind. The guide gives you a meaningful smile... And you are grateful to him for his forcefulness during the climb. You are exalted by the environment; you are overcome by a feeling you have never experienced before. You are still absorbed in this exhilaration when the guide says to you "Follow me"... and leaps from the peak and disappears into space... without a further thought you follow".

Yoga Nidra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
This is an easy to follow, in depth guide to the authentic yogic practice of Yoga Nidra and will suit teachers and serious yoga students alike. It gives the theory, basis and health benefits of the practice in considerable detail,and is written in a style which is logical and easy to understand. There are also a number of transcriptions of the practice which are a must for anyone who wishes to lead their yoga students through the experience of deep relaxation. Especially welcome is the transcription for helping children to learn to relax.
This book provides information and anwers to almost any question which may be posed about this subject and helps us learn how Yoga Nidra may bring about postive changes in our lives. Included is a section on the scientific investigations into this practice and how the research was carried out,colour plates indicate how the brain waves change as the relaxation process develops and the bibliography cites the references quoted and where they may be found.
It is a very helpful reference book to have as part of a yoga teachers library.