In his authoritative text on all things yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar defines yoga-nidra as:
The sleep of yoga, where the body is at rest as if in sleep while the body remains fully conscious, though all its movements are still.
If it doesn't sound like your usual idea of relaxation, that's because it's not. Unlike other forms of relaxation, such as swimming, spending time in nature or listening to our favourite music, yoga-nidra has the ability to bring your body into a state of deep relaxation - a state where the mind quietens, physical tension drains away and even your heart beat and breathing slow down.
