Nidra Yoga - is it harmful?

[Seiko]

Seiko,

I think as with many things in Yoga it really depends on the teacher and how they determine to use the practice. When I was teaching I always used it as a relaxation method, to get people to relax their bodies fully. But I'm sure other teachers are using it combination with visualization practices that are all the rage right now. For some people those work and for some they don't.

If you are using Yoga as a physical practice only, then there might not be much to grain by adding yoga nidra especially if there isn't much physical practice associated with it. If the principles of Yoga as a spiritual practice are calling to you, then perhaps give it a try. But just as you would with searching for a teacher of anything use good common sense to feel the person out, check their credentials and walk away if something doesn't ring true.

For my personal practice, I don't find nidra helpful as I'm better at just being there when I'm at home. But when I'm in a class and it is done at the end to really make you relax during shavasana it can make 10 mins feel like I was resting for hours.

Gassho,
Shoka
(she/her)
sattoday

Thank you.
In Gassho
Seiko
stlah

[Seiko]

Of course, we keep any goal oriented practices and Shikantaza in their own realms. When sitting Zazen, there is only Zazen. At other times, before or after Zazen, one may dabble in various things if they resonate.

Well, everyone replying here has helped me immensely. UK has been in lockdown after lockdown over the last 12 months and taking almost 8 hours of yoga classes in zoom each week, has been a huge help to my physical and mental health. The yoga teacher is a friend who lives in the same town as me. All this makes me feel a strong loyalty towards the teacher. My inner argument was whether I would be being disloyal or ungrateful if I sought another teacher.

All the kind replies to my original post have enabled me to realise that if her classes develop in a way that does not benefit me, choosing to move on, is the right thing to do.

In Gassho
Seiko
stlah