Yoga Nidra Vs. Meditation– Meaning, Benefits and Difference

Yoga nidra and meditation have different perspectives, but both give relaxation to the mind and body. This is why they are considered one of the best therapies, but there are certain differences between these two. The practice relieves the mind and body and produces good hormones in the body.

Yoga Nidra practices generally start with body scanning and acknowledging stress in the tissues. After this step body generally gets into a deep state and goes into deep sleep because it has already released stress. A person who lacks focus or concentration on one thing would be better off practicing Yoga Nidra in place of meditation. 

What is Yoga Nidra? Yoga Nidra For Sleep

Yoga Nidra is most of the time called ‘yogic sleep’, which keeps both mind and body in a relaxed state. It is a powerful state, which is also denoted by a hypnagogic state. It is a bridge state with relaxation and conscious sleep.

There is a proper procedure for yogic nidra; sometimes, there is also a purpose behind doing it. The affirmation, which is given in the heightened state of practice, is known as Sankalpa. They are done for the manifestation purpose.

The journey of yog nidra starts from the body scanning from the toes, and then the focus goes to the upper side of the body. It is like dissolving state of the body, but the mind keeps a conscious thread. Here are the core features of Yoga Nidra: 

• It is practised in the silent state, in the lying position.
• Heightens the awareness of the body and relaxes at the same time.
• Helps in releasing the fear, insecurity, validation, and stored emotions in the body.
• Always practised in a guided way, which is why considered as best method of realisation.

Benefits of Yoga Nidra

Yog Nidra is also known as corpse pose, because it looks like Savaasana. It has certain calming effects on the nervous system of the whole body. It has calming and soothing effects, because the mind stays between wakefulness and sleep. Some of the best benefits of Yoga Nidra are:

• Very effective for the nervous system, it has sedative effects on the body.
• Helps relieve body pain during the scanning procedure in the body.
• Helps in emotional healing, you can give affirmations to yourself.
• It is a gateway to self-realization that prepares us for meditation, giving us awareness about the subconscious patterns.
• Regulates various functions of the body, like as blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion.
• Yoga Nidra for sleep is a good practice.
• Cures bad sleep or insomnia by inducing deep sleep, leaving you refreshed

What is Meditation?

The term meditation is best defined as the state of being relaxed and mindful. Generally, it is practised in the seated position, and there are spiritual aspects to the meditation. We can say that yoga nidra is a kind of meditation because this term involves a number of mental practices. Sometimes it is just observing a thought, and other times it may be an image.

It also gives a relaxing state, but a connection with the spine is necessary in this case. The technique used in the meditation is generally more engaging in comparison to the yoga nidra; it is necessary to remain in a conscious form while practising it. Overall, we can call meditation a wide practice that concise mental techniques like Yoga Nidra. The core features are: 

• Connection with the spine and practised in the seated position.
• Self-practised and involves different techniques like breath, mantra, mindfulness, and visualization.
• Can be practised in a seated, standing, or lying position.
• Involves a spiritual aspect during the practice. 

Benefits of Meditation

Like Yog Nidra, there are also some particular benefits of meditation. These benefits of meditation are similarly observed in the Yog Nidra definition. As we write the definition, there is calming energy, and the same goes for the procedure. Here are mentioned benefits: 

• Best for the emotional health of the body.
• Also improves physical health as works on good hormone secretion.
• Sleep quality, focus, concentration, awareness, and realizations are all increased.
• This is a mindfulness practice and gives a nature of becoming ‘Drishta’, the observer.
• It is a method of improving the spiritual growth of the soul, inner peace, clarity, and a sense of purpose are heightened in the practice.

Yog Nidra Vs Meditation- Which one is more beneficial for a Person? 

Both of the procedures include a depth of person and a craving for the disciplined practice. There are answers in these practices. If you are a beginner and have no idea what meditation is, then go for Yoga Nidra. It is a preparatory phase for meditation and deep self-realization. 

If you have a problem with sleeping and losing consciousness during the procedure, then choose meditation. You will continue after this procedure, because it is responsible for maintaining discipline. Here is the difference between these two:

Conclusion

There is a difference between the practice of the Yog Nidra. Mediation is the state of the mind when we have to reach that phase. We prepare, and this preparation is Yoga Nidra. There are different methods of meditation, and they all tend to be in neutral form. Meditation is the method of permanent being in the neutral state, and it heightens the realizations i the heart. At Om Shanti Om, we have special courses for both of these, and you can contact us to join them.