Yoganidra is one type of psychic sleep. It is a conscious descent into deep rest while awareness remains active. During Yoganidra the body sinks into deep relaxation. This ancient technique was developed by Swami Satyananda Saraswati of the Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar. It has been found that this Yogic practice has deep transformative psychological effects. It paves the way for the neuroplasticity of the brain. According to the science of neuroplasticity, the brain has the ability to constantly reorganise itself, grow, and create new neural connections. Yoganidra facilitates the process of neuroplasticity as during its practice the conscious mind meets the subconscious.

 

The practitioner sequentially moves through body awareness with the withdrawal of sensory perceptions or Pratyahara. He passes through guided imagery, balancing his emotions and repeating the desired Sankalpa or the resolve. This inward journey shuts down sensory load, and shifts the brain towards parasympathetic dominance of rest and digest mode. As a result, healing, integration, and mental rejuvenation unfold. Brainwaves change from Beta to Alfa and Alfa to Theta and even Delta. Slower brainwaves lead to memory consolidation, emotional processing, and deep neural repair. In this mental state,neuroplasticity becomes very easy.

 

The brain becomes plastic and remodels itself as per the affirmations or the Sankalpa. New synaptic connections are easily created. Every thought, emotion, and intention leaves a deep imprint on the neural circuits. Stress also rewires the brain, but detrimentally. Fear and weak regulatory pathways dominate under stressful thoughts. But Yoganidra is a counterforce against stress. It reconditions stress circuits, and reinforces the neural networks of cognitive clarity, balance, and mental resilience. Thus, Yoganidra provides the optimal condition for neural rewires.

 

The deep relaxation gained through Yoganidra reduces the stress hormone, cortisol, and leads to emotional regulation. Focused awareness of Yoganidra activates prefrontal cortical networks, strengthening circuits involved in attention and decision making. Under the impact of systematic sensory withdrawal coupled with guided emotional processing, the Sankalpa taken during this receptive state works like neuroplastic suggestions.

 

It is not a wishful affirmation or Sankalpa, but a strong mental resolve delivered to the prefrontal cortex. The rational and emotional parts of the brain start functioning in perfect harmony, facilitating the sinking of the affirmations deep down the subconscious. Thus, the brain is rewired and the repeated practice strengthens the neural networks, transforming the behavior, mood and the habit patterns of thoughts.

 

Yoganidra reduces anxiety, improves immune system, lowers sympathetic arousal of fight- flight syndrome, and enhances stress resilience. All these features parallel the process of neuroplasticity with the activation of insula and vagal tone and calming down of the amygdala, the seat of fear and anxiety. Yoganidra harmonises the different layers of the mind i.e. the intellect, ego, emotions, etc and leads to an integrated personality.

 

As a result, emotions flow, and do not flood. Thus, Yoganidra connects the conscious to the subconscious, making the process of neuroplasticity easy.

 

Neuroplasticity calls this process the synaptic pruning, while Yoga terms it the modifications of Sanskaras. Both talk of the inner transformation in different languages. (The writer is Former DG Police & CG, Homeguards, Maharashtra) ■