What is Yoga nidra?

Yoga nidra — "yogic sleep" — is a guided relaxation practised lying down, where the body sleeps while awareness stays softly awake. An hour of nidra is said to restore you like several hours of sleep.

It's a practice for exhausted bodies, overloaded minds and restless sleepers: there's nothing to achieve, nowhere to get to. The host's voice guides you through the body, the breath and imagery — you just lie there and let yourself be carried.

• Lying down comfortably with a blanket and pillow — the whole practice is completely still.
• A voice guides your attention through the body, with a sankalpa (intention) at the beginning and end.
• You hover on the edge between waking and sleep — and if you drift off, the practice keeps working.
• A slow return — give yourself a quiet moment after nidra.

Perfect in the evening before bed too — don't plan anything demanding after the session.