Gong Yoga Nidra

Gong Yoga Nidra

What is Gong Yoga Nidra

Gong Yoga Nidra is suitable for everyone, no prior experience is required.

To put it simply Gong Yoga Nidra is Yoga Nidra in addition with using the Gong. One could say it is in order to enhance the experience and benefits of Yoga Nidra. The sound of the gong can be used in different ways. One is to use the gong to accompany all or some of the guided meditation. And within the guided meditation is a section where the only sound will be the gong, a gong journey so to speak lasting from about 7 up to 20 minutes, depending upon the purpose and type of meditation.

Yoga Nidra has its origin in the tantric practices of Nada Yoga. Nada Yoga meaning enlightenment through music and sound, it uses sacred sounds mantras, and music to focus the mind for meditation on the inner sound.Gong Yoga Nidra employs the Gong as the major source of this sound current

Yoga Nidra, is a Sanskrit term, literally meaning “yogic sleep”, also referred to as “psychic sleep”.A state between sleeping and waking. It is similar to guided meditation. During Yoga Nidra, a trained practitioner will guide you into complete and deep relaxation in order to turn your awareness inward. It is important to point out that Yoga Nidra is a lot more than just relaxation. It begins with relaxation but it goes much deeper. In Yoga Nidra the consciousness is active and in an observing state.

YOGA NIDRA AND THE STAGES OF CONSCIOUSNESS

 

Stage

State of

Consciousness

Psychology of

Dimension

Brainwave

pattern

Realm of

Experience
1 Awake Conscious mind

Beta

13-20 cps

Sensory awareness

External knowledge
2 Yoga Nidra

Superconscious mind

(turiya), hypnagogic borderline between awake and asleep

Alpha

8-12 cps

 Deep relaxation, visionary states, conscious dreaming, archetypal imagery
3 Dreaming sleep Subconscious mind

Theta

4-7 cps

Release of emotions

Supressed fears and desires
4 Deep sleep Unconscious mind

Delta

0-4 cps

 Awakening of instincts and primitive drives

Benefits of Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra decreases cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine & lactate.

These are the hormones produced and released in our blood stream when we are under stress (flight or fight) yoga nidra has a decreasing effect on thiese hormones.

Increased levels of these stress hormones can lead to:

  • accelerated aging
  • decrease in  bone density
  • elevated blood sugars
  • elevated blood pressure
  • supressed thyroid function
  • weakening of cognitive function
  • decrease in muscle tissue
  • depression of the immune system
  • increased inflammatory response 
  • increase in abdominal fat(which is related to a multitude of health problems)
  • increased levels of “bad cholesterol” LDL and decreased levels of “good cholesterol” HDL

YOGA NIDRA INCREASES GABA (The Body’s version of Valium) Results in decrease of

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • muscle tension
  • cardiac stress
  • PTSD

YOGA NINDRA INCREASES MELATONIN

  • Regulates biorhythms and circadian cycle in the body
  • Associated with biological clock, determines aging process

 

YOGA NIDRA INCREASES OXYTOCIN

  • Often referred to as the “pleasure hormone” 
  • creates feelings of calm, contentment and security while reducing fear and anxiety
  • reduces pain

YOGA NIDRA INCREASES ENDORPHINES

  • internal pain killer
  • induces all-encompassing sense of well-being and happiness
  • reduces blood pressure
  • thought to have anti-cancer properties

YOGA NIDRA INCREASES DOPAMINE

  • increases feeling of reward and focus
  • helpful for Parkinson’s

YOGA NIDRA INCREASES DHEA (often referred to as the anti-aging hormone)

  • enhances memory
  • helps to alleviate depression
  • Meditation dramatically boosts DHEA levels, and this is associated with reducing the risk of:
    • heart attacks 
    • diabetes 
    • cancer 
    • osteoporosis, 
    • rheumatoid arthritis
    • obesity
    • chronic fatigue
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