Pratyahar

 According to maharishi Patanjali, when senses leave their objects of enjoyment and get engaged in realising true self(svarup), it is called Pratyahar. So, to bring senses inward is Pratyahar. Normally the senses go outside and develop likes and dislikes after coming into contact with worldly things. Our liking to a thing develops attachment and dislike develops ill will. Pratyahar is fifth limb in Astanga yoga.  After practice of Pranayam control of senses follow and is an important step to inward journey.

Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep), a kind of Pratyahar, is a powerful yoga technique, which helps one to achieve deep relaxation and awareness of ones own body through yogic sleep.

it as a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation, while maintaining awareness at the deeper levels as well as  it's an excellent technique for inducing lucid dreaming and out-of-the-body experiences during sleep.

      yoga nidra , makes reference to Brahma, the Hindu creator god, who "sleeps" between successive world creations. His sleep is never unconscious.

Benefits of Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra may have untold benefits that go beyond the therapeutic.

Yoga Nidra helps harmonizing two hemispheres of the brain and the two aspects of autonomous nervous system viz. sympathetic and parasympathetic. The rotation of body awareness stimulates different parts of the brain that control each and every body nerve. When you are aware of each part of your body, you are actually massaging the corresponding part in the brain as well. You establish the connection between the body and the mind. The impressions in the subconscious are brought to surface, experienced and removed. Thus, the fixation of awareness to the body is replaced with the awareness linked to subtler aspects of prana and spiritual dimensions.

 Note:

Everyone can practice. Even beginners who are stiff.

Yoganidra Or Deep Relaxation

 It is a powerful yoga technique, which helps   one to achieve deep relaxation and awareness of ones own body, mind and emotions through yogic sleep.

click here for Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep)