Trauma Informed Yoga Nidra has various benefits ranging from improved heart health, to quality of sleep, to emotional healing from trauma and stressors, to enhanced immune function and recalibration of the salience network (executive decision making, creativity, mood, logic and reason). Not to mention, practitioners often report an improved sense of well-being and increased Self awareness, which allows a person to move through life with ease, purpose and meaningful relationships.
Below are 5 credible research studies on the effect of yoga nidra for one’s mental and physical health.
Yoga Nidra & Meditation Research Studies
#1.) Copenhagen Study
The University Hospital in Copenhagen conducted positron emission tomography studies on individuals practicing yoga nidra. The results were astounding: while participants were conscious, their brain waves relaxed into sleep states known as Theta and Delta brainwaves. While most meditation styles induce Alpha brain waves, a light state, yoga nidra yielded the deepest sleep state. Also known as “Slow Wave Sleep,” (SWS). The body undergoes deep physiologic repair to heart, muscle, organs and tissue as well as surges in growth hormone during SWS. An incredible finding from this study was on the neurotransmitter dopamine (which influences motivation and mood)… one yoga nidra practice increased participants endogenous dopamine production by up to 65%!
Read the full study here.
#2.) Massachusetts General Hospital Study
Conducted by Dr. Sara Lazar, Brain Researcher & Harvard Professor
Dr. Lazar, Brain Researcher
Meditation has “anti-aging effect on brain” & improves areas of the brain affected by trauma.
Dr. Sara Lazar, Harvard profession and brain researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital studied brand new meditators. They practiced on average for 30 minutes per day, and after 8 weeks their brains were measurably larger! The increase in grey matter is a reflection that meditation improves the brain’s neuroplasticity. Regions enhanced:
Pre-frontal Cortex (Executive decision making, logic and reason)
Hippocampus (Note: People with PTSD & Depression have smaller hippocampi, this area is responsible for one’s ability to learn, and memory consolidation)
Tempero-Parietal Junction (Creative problem solving, enhanced compassion and empathy)
#3.) Walter Reed Army Medical Center : Yoga Nidra Study for Healing PTSD Symptoms in Military Veterans
Yoga Nidra Study with 240 Gulf War Veterans, 1,318 Total Sessions.
100% of the Veterans who participated said “Yes” they would recommend this practice to other Veterans.
Participants Report
Decreases In:
Insomnia
Depression & Anxiety
Irritability and Angry Outbursts
Chronic Pain
Use of Medications
Intrusive Thoughts
Substance Abuse Relapse
Increases In:
Energy Level
Mental Focus & Clarity
Comfort with situations they can’t control
Ability to Regulate Affect
Greater Sense of Ease and Well-being
Restful Sleep
Improvements In PTSD Symptoms
Dr. Richard Miller, a psychologist and yoga nidra expert determined through his research at Walter Reed Army Medical Center that yoga nidra was a highly successful complementary modality for healing PTSD. The majority of veterans who participated in the study had resolved their post traumatic stress symptoms and highly recommended the practice to their fellow veterans.
#4.) Yoga Nidra Found to Increase HRV: Florida Atlantic University
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been linked to reduced heart-rate variability (HRV), which is in turn a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death.
People who have a high HRV may have greater cardiovascular fitness and may be more resilient to stress. This study out of the Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Florida Atlantic University found that Yoga Nidra increases HRV.
Trauma Informed Yoga Nidra (TIYN) for First Responders
A TIYN Case Study : 3,043 First Responder Participants, 254 Sessions
Positive Physiological / Psychological Effects were most commonly described as:
I feel amazing!
Deeply relaxed
Clear Minded
Refreshed
Reset
Ready to Work!
Participants also noted:
Less pain from a chronic injury
Less irritability
Better mood