Yoga Nidra, Brain Waves & Benefits
As someone who holds space for Yoga Nidra, guided sleep meditation, I became curious about the brain waves induced by this practice. Here are some simple and brief notes on this topic:
There are several states of brain wave activity, characterized by the speed or Hertz frequency (cycles per second) of the waves.
From fastest to slowest, these are gamma, beta, alpha, theta, and delta.
Practically speaking, what do these correlate with?
Gamma - conscious attention, motor control, perception, focus, memory, awareness, information processing1, 2
Beta - high vigilance, cognitive activity2
Alpha - relaxed wakefulness, deep relaxation, daydreaming2
Theta - daydreaming, sleep, intuition, relaxation, emotional connection2
Delta - deepest levels of relaxation, restorative/healing sleep2
With the practice of Yoga Nidra (also called NSDR/non-sleep deep rest), what are we tapping into?
It induces alpha brainwaves, and a hypnagogic state (the state between wakefulness and sleep).3
Experientially, how is this beneficial?
Some of the benefits of Yoga Nidra, supported by research include:4
Relaxation
Improved sleep/Insomnia relief
Anxiety relief
Pain reduction
References:
1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/gamma-wave
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/brain-waves
3. Sharpe E, Lacombe A, Butler MP, Hanes D, Bradley R. A Closer Look at Yoga Nidra: Sleep Lab Protocol. Int J Yoga Therap. 2021 Jan 1;31(1):Article_20. doi: 10.17761/2021-D-20-00004. PMID: 33175980; PMCID: PMC8932407.
4. Sharpe E, Tibbitts D, Wolfe B, Senders A, Bradley R. Qualitative Impressions of a Yoga Nidra Practice for Insomnia: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Design. J Altern Complement Med. 2021 Oct;27(10):884-892. doi: 10.1089/acm.2021.0125. Epub 2021 Jul 15. PMID: 34265219; PMCID: PMC10772320.
