Yogic sleep. Complete rest, with the mind awake.
A deeply restorative “yogic sleep,” you will be gently led into a state of conscious relaxation where the body rests completely while the mind remains quietly aware.
Yoga Nidra, often described as “yogic sleep,” is a guided practice that systematically relaxes the body, breath, senses, emotions and mind while maintaining a state of conscious awareness. By shifting the nervous system away from persistent sympathetic “fight-or-flight” activation toward parasympathetic recovery, it can create conditions conducive to profound rest and restoration. Research has reported reductions in respiratory rate, stress, anxiety and cortisol, alongside improvements in heart-rate variability and sleep quality.
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of 73 studies involving 5,201 participants found significant improvements in stress, anxiety and depression, although the authors cautioned that methodological limitations require further high-quality trials. Research in chronic insomnia has also found improved deep N3 sleep and reduced salivary cortisol following Yoga Nidra.
From a holistic perspective, this profound relaxation may support “deep cleansing” by reducing the physiological burden of chronic stress, improving sleep-dependent recovery and allowing natural regulatory and reparative processes to function more effectively. Thus, while Yoga Nidra should not be understood as literally detoxifying the body or curing disease, regular practice may support psychological renewal, autonomic balance, restorative sleep and overall healing capacity.
Benefits & Features
- Fully guided, nothing to memorise or get right
- Lying down throughout, accessible to any body
- Often helpful for disturbed sleep and persistent tension
- Practised daily on every retreat, usually in the afternoon
