Psychophysiological Changes as Related toYog Nidr Research Abstract Submitted by Kamakhya Kumar Supervisor Co-Supervisor Dr. Pranav Pandya(MD)Prof.Ishwar Bhardwaj ChancellorHead, Human Consciousness &Dev Sanskrit VishwavidyalayaYogic Science Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya Hardwar Department of Human Consciousness & Yogic Sciences Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya,Shantikunj, Gayatrikunj, Hardwar-249411. Year - 2006 Ancient Indian saints as well as contemporary yogis have established a wonderful relaxation technique called Yoga nidra. There are several techniquestorelaxthebodyandmind,Yoganidraisprobablythe bestknowntechniquetoinducecompletephysical,mentaland emotionalrelaxation.Itisamethodofpeelingoffthesubliminal sheath of conscious (external) mind that covers the inner core of the unconscious (inner) mind. In this state the individual consciousness is able to receive the cosmic signalsofthesuperconsciousness.Yoganidraaimsattheremoval ofthepratyaya(mentalfluctuations)fromtheconsciousorexternal plane,thesubconsciousorsubtleplaneandtheunconsciousand causal plane. Yoga nidra is a state between sleep and Samadhi. It is a half sleep and half waking state. This simple and useful practice of the art of sleeping which the yogis know may be called psychic sleep. Sincethisistheageofscientificinvestigation,nothingcanbe believed without proof. This is the time to go deep into the search of its physiological and psychological impact on our body and mind, and onthebasisofthatamoreapplicableformofYogaNidracanbe given to the society. Variousstudieshavebeendoneindifferentpartsofthe'worldfor observing the effect of Yoga nidra. Yoga nidra has been experienced as"the"mostpowerfulrelaxationtechniqueknowntoman.Yet,in yoga, it is used much more than that. The power of this technique is such that it is regularly used as a therapeutic technique to overcome pain, neurosis and even disability in certain cases. , TounderstandYoganidraitwillberelevanttodiscussfewrelated aspects,thedifferentstagesofconsciousness,sleep,dreamand Samadhi and its relation with yoga nidra.Indian yogis' and mystics classify the seven states of consciousness differently.Theypointoutthathumanbeingsnormallyexperience onlythreestates:sleeping,dreamingandwaking.Inmeditation, fleetinglyonecanexperienceturya,literallythefourthstate,or transcendentalconsciousness,commonlyknownasSamadhi.When this state coexists and stabilizes with the other three, which is the fifth state,whereI-consciousnessexpandstobecomecosmic consciousness.ThesixthstateisGodconsciousnesswhereby individualseesGodeverywhere,ineverything.Thelastisunity consciousness: what is within is also outside - pure consciousness and nothing else is. HowYoganidraisdifferentfromsleep?Sleepisoneofnature's greatestinventionsandablessingoflife.Itisaperiodicrestofthe bodywhichisabsolutelyessentialforitsefficientfunctioning,ithas beencalled"mostcheeringrestorativeoftiredbodies."Itisthe indispensableconditiontotherecuperationofenergy.Wegotobed fatigued and get up refreshed. RobertA.baroninhisbook'Psychology'writesthatsleepcanbe divided into four different stages. The transition from wake fullness to sleepoccurswiththeonsetofstage-1sleep.Duringthisstage,a mixedbutrelativelyslowlowvoltageEEGPatternsemerges. Breathingslows,muscletonedecreasesandthebodygenerally relaxes.Atthispointindividualscanstillbereadilyawakenedby external stimuli. After that they move into sage2. During this stage the brainemitsoccasionalshortburstsofrapidhigh-voltagewaves knownassleepspindles.Herethepersonissleepingismuchmore difficulttoawakenthanhewasduringstage-1.Stage3&4are markedbytheincreasingappearanceofslow,highvoltagedelta waves,andbyafurtherslowingofallmajorbodilyfunctions.About ninety minutes after more and more deep sleep begins which is a highlydistinctphaseknownasREM(rapideyemovement)sleep. During this phase, the electrical activity of the brain changes rapidly; it nowcloselyresemblesthatshownwhenpeopleareawake.Delta wavesdisappear,andfast,low-voltageactivityreturns.Theperson beginsmovingtheeyelidsrapidly.Thereisalmosttotalsuppression of activity in body muscles. Indeed muscle relaxation is so great that astateborderingonparalysisseemstoexist.Thedurationis variable,buttheREMPeriodstendtoincreaseinlengthtoward morning.Therespirationpatternsarefoundtobecomeirregularin thisphase.Breathingmightevenstopforfewseconds,butsoon regains the normal place.The temperature of brain Fluctuates and so does the flow of blood in the cerebrum. The like or stop the brain activities. The expression of dreamandthefunctioningofthebrainandthebodyimplythatthe mind is not asleep in this period. AccordingtoArunGoe1(2001)--Yoganidraisasuperlative relaxation tool. OnehourofeffectiveYoganidraisequivalenttoover4hoursof sleep.But,thetruepurposeofYoganidragoeswellbeyonddeep relaxation.YogaNidraestablishesthelinkbetweentheconscious desires, the will power, the subconscious and the unconscious mind. Whenthishappensyoureapallroundpowerfulbenefitsandfeelin total control of all aspects of your life. How Yoga nidra is different from dream? Dreams are usually the reflections of our memory and medium of expression of our inner tendencies, aspirations and reflections of the unconscious mind. The latterseemstoworkbeyondthelimitofspaceandtime.Itmay exhumethehiddenmemoriesofthepast-includingeventhepast lives - and express the same in dreams. At the same time, it may also reflect,asperitsnaturaltendency,theexperiencesinthepresent conditionsofthemind,bodyandsurroundingsSigmundFreudfelt that dreams provide an important means of probing the unconscious allthethought,impulses,andwishesthatlieoutsidetherealmof consciousexperience.Onecangiveexpressiontoimpulsesand desires which is unacceptable during the waking hours. Inotherwords,dreamsmerelyrepresenteffortsbyourcognitive systemtomakesenseoutofthisneuralactivity.Dreamsaresimply oursubjectiveexperienceofwhatis,inessence,randomneural activityinthebrain,suchactivitymayreflectongoinginformation- processing tasks, or may occur simply because a minimal amount of stimulationisnecessaryforthenormalfunctioningofthebrainand nervous system. Thevitalenergyrequiredforthebrainfunctionsduring'dreamis negligible as compared to the positive returns in terms of reducing the pressuresofuntowardimpressionsregisteredinthesubconscious mind. Same during yoga nidra the requirement of energy in the body and brain both are less than waking state of mind. HowYoganidradifferswithSamadhi?Samadhiliterarymeans union(hereunionmeansunionofindividualconsciousnesstothe super consciousness). The ultimate goal of yoga is Samadhi, nothing else. It is the suprem~ state of mind as described in Kathopnishad. II Yada Panchavatisthante Gyanani Mansa saha.! I Buddhischa Vichestati Tamahah Parmam Gatim'l l MeaningWhenthefivesensesofperceptiontogetherwiththemind areatrest,whentheintellecthasceasedtofunction,that,saythe stage, is the supreme state i.e. Samadhi. ThewordSamadhidoesn'tindicateliberationbutisafieldof awarenesscomprisingsupraconsciousness.Itistheresultoftotal onepointednessofmindandexpansionofconsciousnessfromthe mundaneperceptiontothatofcosmicawareness.Itisthefinal experienceofeveryhumanbeingandthatwhichwearealevolving towards. Justasscientistshavedevelopedthemeanstoreleasenuclear energy from the uranium atom, similarly the yogis found the scientific systemtoreleasetheenergyandconsciousnessfromthebindu within the body. WhatYogaNidraisinrealsense?---Yoganidraisactuallyan alteredstateofconsciousness. Itisneithersleepnordreamnorisit the state of Samadhi. Aim of the practice of yoga nidra for the saints and rishis of India were to develop the witness attitude, i.e. being aware of the subconscious andunconsciousstatesandultimatelytoenterthestateofsuper consciousness. AccordingtoMaharshiMarkandeyYoganidraisthestateofdeep relaxation as Lord Vishnu Himself use this marvelous technique II Utpanneti Tada Loke Sanityapybhidhiyate I I Yoganidram Yada Vishnurjagatyekamavikrite II Maharshi Markandey according to his visualizations states in his text Markandey Purana that at the end of Kalpa when the entire universe was in a deep relaxation Lord Vishnu was lying on the bed of serpent in the state of yoga nidra. II Drastwa Tavsurau Chograu prasuptam Cha Janardanam I I Tustav Yoganidram Tamekagrahridyasthitih II . Meaning: When Lord Brahma observed Him in the state of yoga nidra to make him awake He started praying the lordess Yoga nidra whic~ lives in the eye of Lord Vishnu. " In ancient yogic text, Yoga Tadavali, Acharya Shankara descrtbed the method of Yoga nidra as: II Vichhinn Samkalpa Vikalpa mule, Nihshesh nirmurit karmjale I I Nirantarabhyasnitant bhadrasa Jambhrite Yogini Yoga nidra II Meaning:Whenmindhastranscendedmaya(delusion),whenego has become static, when senses are no more functioning. And when allcommunicationbetweenthemindandthesenseshasbeencut, when I and you no longer exist for a period of time yoga nidra starts. For a long time practice, when being disappointed from every resolve andimaginationandeveryobstaclesofkarmabecomesdestroyed, the Yogi gets the state of Yoga nidra. TheauthorofHathaYogaPradipika,greatyogiSwatmarama classifiesYoganidraasthestateofturiya;meanstheallexpansive andencompassing'fourthdimension'inwhichShaktineither contractsnorexpands,butisinunionwithShivaorsupreme consciousness. IIAbhyaset Khecharim Tavadyavat Syadyoganidritah I I SampraptyoganidrasyaKalo Nasti Kadachana II Meaning:Khecharishouldbepracticeduntilyogicsleepoccurs.For onewhohasattainedyogicsleep,timebecomenon-existent.Here the term yoga nidra has used as the state of Samadhi. Yogic sleep or yoganidraisthestateinwhichconsciousmindsubsidesbut awareness remains. ForthepracticeofYoganidraoneshouldlieflatonhisbackand follow the spoken instruction of yoga instructor. It is convenient to use Yoga nidra tape. During the practice there should be no movement by the practitioner, as well as he should try to remain awake and aware of every given instruction. InthisstudywehaveappliedthetechniqueofSw.Satyananda Saraswati.HehasdividedthepracticeofYoganidrainsixphases whicharePreparation,Samkalpa,Bodypartawareness,Breath awareness,FeelingandSensation,VisualizationandEndingofthe practice. Preparation for the Practice Yoganidraisperformedinshavasans,whichminimizestouch sensationbyeliminating.Contactbetweenthelimbsofthebody fingertips,whichareextremelysensitiveorgansoftouch,arekept awayfromthefloorbyburningofpalmsofhandsupwards.Light, looseclothingshouldbenotbreezesofdraftsdirectedtowardsthe body. Sight stimuli are eliminated by simply closing the eyes. Themindisthenfocusedonexternal,soundsifallsensory impressionwereforciblyexcludedtherethemindwouldbecome restlessanddisturbed.Thereforethemindindirectedtothinkof external sounds and to move from sound to sound with the attitude of awitness.Aftersometimethemindlosesinterestintheexternal worldandautomaticallybecomequilt.Thismethodofcalmingthe mindiscalledAntarMouna.Itpreparestheconsciousnessforthe practice of Yoga nidra. Sankalpa(Resolve):TheSanskritwordsankalpacanbetranslated as 'resolve' or 'resolution'. It is important technique and stage of Yoga Nidraandapowerfulmethodofreshapingone'spersonalityalong positive lines. TosuccessfullyutilizethepowerofsankalpainYogaNidraone should follow the rules below. Whenthebodyandmindarerelaxed,thenthepractitioneris instructedtotakearesolveaccordingtohisorherownwish.The sankalpa should be short, clear and positive. The practitioner repeats theselectedsankalpathreetimesmentally,withfulldetermination, conviction and confidence. Fig. - Yoga Nidra (Practice) Rotation of consciousness In the third stage, the awareness is rotated around the different body partsinasystematicandorganizedmanner.Thepractitioneris instructedtoremainaware,tolistentotheinstructionsandtomove the mind very rapidly according to the instructions without making any physical movements. The rotation of awareness in yoga nidra follows adefinitesequence:rightsideofthebody,beginningwiththeright hand thumb and ending with the little toe of the right foot; left side of the body, from the left hand thumb to the little toe of the left foot; back of the body, from the heels to the back of the head and lastly the front ofthebody,fromtheforeheadandindividualfacialfeaturestothe legs. Breathe awareness In this stage, one simply becomes aware of the natural breath without makinganattempttochangetheflowofthebreath.Onemay become aware of the breath by watching it in the nostrils, chest, and abdomen,orinthepassagebetweenthenavelandthethroat.The practitioner becomes aware of each incoming and outgoing breath by counting them mentally.Opposite feelings and sensations Inthisstage,thephysicaloremotionalsensationsarerecalled, intensified and experienced fully. Usually this is practiced with pairs of oppositefeelingsorsensationslikeheatandcold,heavinessand lightness, pain and pleasure, love and hate, and so on. Visualization In the stage of visualization, the awareness is taken to the dark space infrontoftheclosedeyes,referredtoaschidakashainyogic terminology.Thepractitioneristheninstructedtovisualizesome objects, stories or situations in the chidakasha. Sankalpa: Once again the Sankalpa, taken in stage two, is repeated mentallythreetimesinthisstagewithfulldedication,faithand optimism. Ending the practice Before ending the session of Yoga Nidra, slowly the awareness is externalizedbyaskingthepractitionertobecomeawareofthe external sounds, objects and persons. They are asked then to slowly move the body parts and to stretch the body. To study the impact of Yoga nidra we have made the directional hypotheses which are as follows: ThepracticeofYoganidrawilldecreasethepulserateofthe subjects. ThepracticeofYoganidrawilldecreasetherespirationrateofthe subjects. ThepracticeofYoganidrawilldecreasethebloodpressure(both-systolic &diastolic) of subjects. The practice of Yoga nidra will positively increase Alpha EEG of the subjects. The practice of Yoga nidra will positively increase the level of GSR of the subjects. ThepracticeofYoganidrawillpositivelyincreasethelevelof Hemoglobin of the subjects There is a significant relationship between the practice of Yoga nidra and ESR. There is a significant relationship between the practice of Yoga nidra and TLC. There is a significant relationship between the practice of Yoga nidra and DLC. The practice of Yoga nidra will positively affect the general well being of the subjects. ThepracticeofYoganidrawillpositivelyaffectthememoryofthe subjects. The practice of Yoga nidra will decrease the Anxiety of the subject. Thepractice of Yoga nidra will decrease the Stress of the subject. ThepracticeofYoganidrawilldecreasetheRegressionofthe subject. The practice of Yoga nidra will decrease the Guilt of the subject. The practice of Yoga nidra will decrease the Arousal of the subject. The practice of Yoga nidra will decrease the Fatigue of the subject. Stratified Quota Sampling has been used in this study. TheTotalSamplecoveredforthepurposeofthepresentstudy belongstothestudentbetween20to30agegroupofPGYoga classesfromDevSanskritiVishwavidyalaya,ShantikunjHaridwar.; which are 110 in numbers (55 males & 55 females). Who have further divided into 40 males and 40 femalesinexperimentalgroup;aswell as 15 male and 15 female in control group? Thestudyshowsasignificantchangeinthepulserate,respiration ratesystolicbloodpressurelevelandinthediastolicbloodpressure levelofthesubjects.Throughthebodymindrelationship,relaxation of body relaxes the entire nervous system. Through the relaxation of centralnervoussysteminYogaNidrarelaxationinautonomic nervoussystemtakesplace,asitreducesthewholephysicaland mentalactivities.Reductioninthemuscularandneuralactivities slowsdownthemetabolicrateofthebody.Duringthepracticeof YogaNidraduetotherelaxedbodyandmindmusclesbecome relaxed, arteries of the body become dilated as vasodilatation occurs. Hencethecardiacoutputaswellascardiacworkloadreduces;the systolicanddiastolicbloodpressurewithpulseratecomesdown which has been seen during the present study. Due to the practice of YogaNidrarelaxedbodyrequireslessoxygenaccordinglyless metabolicactivities.Needoftheoxygeninthebodybecomesless; due to that, reduction in the respiration rate has been observed. Previous researches also support this study as at the Langley Porter NeuropsychiatryInstituteinCalifornia,LekhRajBali(Dec.1979): foundareductioninbloodpressurelevelsinhypertensivepatients; continuesfor12monthsafterYogaNidratraining.Nespor,K.,(Aug 1981)statesthat,thefutureroleofYoganidraincoronarycareand managementregimesappearstobeamajorone.Thevalueofthe practiceofyogicrelaxationinpreventionofcardiovasculardisease has been fairly well recognized and accepted. The study also shows a significant change in the Alpha EEG level of thesubjects.EEGmeasuresminuteelectricalactivityinthebrainin theformofwaves.Thefrequencyofbrainactivitywaveshasbeen shoJntoalteraccordingtothestateofconsciousnessandstateof mind the subject is in. Betaactivityisnormallynotedintheawakeworkingstate.With physicalrelaxationbetaactivityistakenupbyalphaactivity,andas thePfrsongoesintodifferentstagesofsleeptheactivitychangesto thetaand:,alsomayexhibitdettaactivityindeepsleep.Sannyasi Mangalteerthatn (1998) concludedonthebasisofhisstudythatthepracticeofyogani~ra brings alpha dominance in the brain, which is characterized by mental relaxation. As we know the practice of Yoga Nidra is the intermediate stage of awakened and sleep and it is the stage of the brain when it produces Alphawaves.AsS.M.Roney-Dougal;AlteredStatesof ConsciousnessandYogicAttainmentinRelationtoAwarenessof PrecognitiveandClairvoyantTargets;atPsiResearchCentrealso observed in a study, initial EEG showed Beta activity prominently with intermittent Alpha activity. With the advancement of Yoga Nidra Beta activitywasslowlyreplacedbyAlphaactivityandstillfurtherby smoothwellformedAlphaactivity.After30sessionsofYogaNidra gainofalphaactivitywasbetterandwithfurtheradvancementof YogaNidraintermittent.Thetaactivitywasnotedintermixedwith alpha activity suggestive of deep state of relaxation. A significant change also shows in this study in the GSR level of the subjects. As we know GSR is a change in the electrical properties of the skin in response to stress oranxiety; can be measured either by recordingtheelectricalresistanceoftheskinorbyrecordingweak currents generated by the body. It can also be understand as a drop intheelectricalresistanceoftheskin,widelyusedasanindexof autonomicreaction.JenniferMacey(2005)hasmadeadirect connectionbetweenthenervousandimmunesystem.Hereported thatstressleadstoabuildupofahormonethatinhibitsthebody's ability to fight off bacteria and viruses. Since practice of Yoga Nidra is abletoreducethestressandanxietyofthepractitioner,becauseof itstotalrelaxationeffectonthephysicalmentalstateitimprovesthe GSR of the subjects. ThestudyshowsasignificantchangeintheHemoglobinofthe subjects.Asthehemoglobinisaprotein-basedcomponentofred blood cells which is primarily responsible for transferring oxygen from thelungstotherestofthebody.Hemoglobinisactuallythereason redblQbdcellsappearred,althoughoxygen-richbloodisnoticeably brighterthanthedepletedbloodreturningtotheheartandlungs. Freshhemoglobinisproducedinthebonemarrowasneededwhich isbasedonourfoodintake.HereYogaNidranotdirectlyaffectthe hemoglobin level of the subjects, it should be understood through the following lines. It is a well known scientific fact that the less oxygen in the body can bring several changes in the body like Erythropoietin is secreted by Kidney and increases production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Practice of Yoga nidra reduces the respiration rate due totherelaxedmuscularandmetabolicactivities.Thisistheregion which results in significant change in hemoglobin of the subjects. HencepracticeofYogaNidranotonlyrelaxesthebody,mindand emotions;itrelaxestheconsciousnessalso.Throughtheholistic relaxationofalltheinternalorgans,itimprovesthedigestionaswell as absorption and assimilation. When iron is absorbed from the small intestine,itimmediatelycombinesinthebloodplasmawithabeta globulin; which shows an increased number of hemoglobin as a result ofproperabsorption.Theproperfoodconsumptionisoneofthe regionsbehindit.ThestudyshowsasignificantchangeintheTLC andESRofthesubjects.Ourbodieshaveaspecialsystemfor combating the different infectious and toxic agents. This comprised of bloodleukocytes(whitebloodcells)andtissuecellsderivedfrom leukocytes. As a fact T L C is total leucocytes counts. Leucocytes are the White Blood Cells, which are transparent and hot colored. It fights against the infections, there are from 6000 to 10000 (with an average of 8000) in each cubic millimeter of blood. ESRisameasurementofhowquicklyredbloodcellsfalltothe bottomofatesttube.Whenswellingandinflammationarepresent, the blood's proteins clump together and become heavier than normal. Thus, when measured, they fall and settle faster at the bottom of the testtube.Generally,thefasterthebloodcellsfall,themoresevere the inflammation. Thedistanceredbloodcellstravelinonehourinasampleofblood as they settle to the bottom of a test tube. The sedimentation rate is increased in inflammation, infection, cancer, rheumatic diseases, and diseases of the blood and bone marrow. Whenthetensions,conflictsandfrustrationsofthemindmanifestin theformofphysicalsymptoms,thosediseasesaretermedas psychosomaticdiseases.YogaNidraaimsatreleasingthe suppressedandrepressedconflictsfromtheunconscious,thereby relaxingthemind.Whenthepotentcause(tensemind)of psychosomatic disorders is managed, the disease can also be cured. The practice of various stages of Yoga Nidra, like Sankalpa, muscular relaxation,breathawarenessandguidedimagery,havebeenfound to be a significant and effective mode of therapy. As Yoga Nidra is a completerelaxationprocessofthebodyandmind,itincreasesthe immunity of a person, hence the change in the ESR and TLC should be positive; which has been found in this study.

The following studies can be undertaken as a support of our study. Jennifer Macey (2005) Journal of Experimental Medicine, at Sydney's GarvanInstitutehasmadeadirectconnectionbetweenthenervous and immune system. He reported that stress leads to a build up of a hormonethatinhibitsthebody'sabilitytofightoffbacteriaand viruses. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate decrease and increase in total leukocytecountistheresultofstrongimmunitywhichcamedueto stress release of physical, mental and emotional states. Erskine & Schonell, (1981) and Gupta et. al. (1979) reported that 18 outof27asthmaticpatientsshowedimprovementinrespiratory functionandgreaterfreedomofbreathingafterintensivetrainingin YogaNidra,and63%haddefiniterelaxationanddilationofthe bronchialtubeswhentestedonaSpirometer.Jansson(1979) reported that after three weeks of relaxation training the symptoms of colonic irritability significantly reduced. In the case of cardiac patients, Cooper (1979) reported that yoga nidra significantly lowered levels of serum cholesterol in cardiac patients. Researches also show that the practiceofYogaNidralowerstheelevatedbloodpressurelevelsof hypertensive patients Datey et aI, (1977) and Bali, (1979). In this way, researches show that the practice of Yoga Nidra effectively manages various psychosomatic diseases. NosignificantchangeseenintheDLC(Polymorph)andDLC (Monocyte) as well as there is a significant change in the Lymphocyte and Eosinophil. Since there is a change in Polymorph and Monocyte but the change isnotsignificantbecausetheprevalueoftheseparametersarenot verymuchalterfromtheidealnumberofthebloodcellcounts.The changeisonlyinLymphocyteandinEosinophilbecauseofthe practice of Yoga Nidra brings the system mechanism towards normal through the proper metabolism and proper nervous supply. AsignificantchangehasbeenobservedintheGeneralWellBeing level of the subjects during this study. G.W.B. may be defined as the subjectivefeelingofcontentment,happiness,satisfactionwithlife's experiencesandofone'sroleintheworldofwork,senseof achievement, utility, belongingness, and no distress, dissatisfaction or worry, etc. Ahighpercentageofpeopleremaininastateoftensionand frustrati9n.Thiscontinuousleveloftensioninthebody,mindand emotionspredisposestheindividualtowardspsychologicaland psychosomatic disorders. Practice of Yoga Nidra through releasing all the worries and tensions enhances the contentment and the sense of happiness; which is the region behind of a positive change into GWB of the subjects. ThereisasignificantchangeintheMemoryofthesubjects.The technique of Yoga nidra is helpful in increasing learning and memory capacity. Here the original memory may not be changed but attention andawarenesstowardslearningimprovesthroughtherelaxationof mind and consciousness. When Yoga nidra is used in education, both hemispheresofthestudent'sbrainareinvolvedinlearningthe subject, whereas in classroom teaching the left hemisphere functions more. In this way, the practice of Yoga nidra involves the total mind in learning.Thethoughtlessnessconditionofthemindduringthe practice there is a significant change has been seen in the memory of the subjects. The following researches support our study. Veena Verma; Sannyasi Soumya Shakti(2004) states on the basis of astudythatYoganidraishavingapositiveimpactonenhancement of the memory. Ostrander (1973) said that, "using the technique of Yoga Nidra it was possible to teach a foreign language in 1/5th of the time required by conventional methods". Schoolteachers in several countries are using Yoga Nidra to augment the capacities of receptivity and attention, and toawakenthejoyoflearningintheiryoungstudents.Flak(1978) reportedthattechniquessuchasrotationofawarenessand visualizationheightenthecapacityforrelaxationandinterestamong schoolchildren. This method may be good for the intelligent students. ThetechniqueofYogaNidracanbeusedasaneducationaltoolfor thechildren,wheretheknowledgeistransmitteddirectlyintothe subconscious mind. AsignificantchangealsohasbeenobservedintheAnxietyand Stressofthesubjectsduringthisstudy.AsweknowAnxietyisa complexcombinationofthefeelingoffear,apprehensionandworry often accompanied by physical sensations such as palpitations, chest pain and/or shortness of breath. It may exist as a primary disorder or maybeassociatedwithothermedicalproblemsincludingother psychiatric disorders. Anxietyisafeelingofapprehension,worry,uneasinessordread. Stressisacognitiveoremotionalresponsemadebytheindividual towardsanysituation,whichdemandsadjustment.Asthedemands ofthesituationexceedtheabilityoftheindividualdistressresults; which may manifest in mental and physical symptoms of abnormality. ThepracticeofYogaNidrahelpsinbuildingupthecopingability. Henceitisapracticeoftotalrelaxation;itstopsallunnecessary thinkingprocess,whichisthemainfactorbehindallpsychological imbalances. The practitioner of Yoga Nidra slowly becomes aware of theinherentdormantpotentialitiesandthuspreventshimselffrom becoming a victim of distress. Duringstressthesympatheticnervoussystembecomesactivated duetowhichtheorganismadoptsthe'fightorflight'mechanism.In normalcircumstances,theparasympatheticsystemtakesoverafter theemergencygoes.Butmostlyithasbeenseenthatthe sympatheticsystemremainsactivemostofthetimeresultinginthe experience of distress Shelley, (1974). The following researches can be taken as a support of our study: Udupa (1977) suggests that stress-related disorders evolve gradually throughfourstages.Inthefirststage,psychologicalsymptomslike anxietyandirritabilityariseduetooveractivationofthesympathetic nervous system. The second stage is characterized by related physical symptoms like highbloodpressure,increasedheartrateetc.Inthethirdstage,the abnormalitiesmanifestclinicallyintheorgansystems.Inthelast stage, severe symptoms in particular organs result which need long-term medical management. Bahrke(1979)alsoconcludedonthebasisofhisstudythatthe practiceofyogicrelaxationhasbeenfoundtoeffectivelyreduce tensionandimprovethepsychologicalwell-beingofsufferersfrom anxiety. SwamiSatyananda(1998)hassaidthatYogaNidraisnow prescribedbydoctorsinmanycountriesbothasapreventiveand curative therapy in the first three stages of stress-related disease. InYogaNidraanattemptismadetoactivatetheparasympathetic system,andslowlyabalancebetweenthesympatheticand parasympathetic systems is achieved by inducing complete physical, emotional and mental relaxation. In this way the practice of Yoga Nidra counteracts stress. Carrington etal(1980)concludedthatYogaNidrahasitsmostwidespread application as a preventive measure to be practiced by healthy, active peopleasameansofrelievingaccumulatedtensions,increasing stressresistanceandoverallefficiency,andpreventingthe development of stress-related diseases. A significant change also has been observed in the Regression, Guilt, ArousalandFatigueofthesubjectsduringthisstudy.Whenthe individualfailstoadjusttothesituation,andthendistressresults. Someindividualsarepronetodevelopingdistressduetotheir unconscious urge to remain tense. When distress continues for a long period, it may result in psychological disorders like neuroses or even psychoses.InthepracticeofYogaNidra,theinherenttendencyto becometenseisrootedoutandtheindividualstartsviewingthe situation as less demanding. Gersten (1978) said that the practitioner ofYogaNidrabecomeshisownpsychotherapist,recognizingand systematicallyalleviatinghisownpersonalproblemsand interpersonal difficulties. Matthew (1981) reported that yoga nidra is a successfultherapyforbothrecentandlong-standingpsychological disturbancesofallkinds,especiallyhighanxietylevelsandneurotic behaviorpatterns.Shelley(1998)concludedthatYogaNidraisa successful treatment for insomnia. In this manner, various researches showthatthetechniqueofYogaNidracanbesuccessfully administeredtomanagevariouspsychologicaldisorders.Asthe previous studies shows that practice of Yoga Nidra, Meditation and Relaxationsignificantlylowersallthepsychologicalproblems;hence it supports the present study. In the modern world the international problem is not poverty, drugs or fear of war; it is tension and only tension. A high percentage of people remaininastateoftensionandfrustration.Thiscontinuouslevelof tensioninthebody,mindandemotionspredisposestheindividual towardspsychologicalandpsychosomaticdisorders.Modem psychologyaswellasyogicphilosophybelievesinthreekindsof tension - muscular tensions, emotional tensions and mental tensions - whichcanbeprogressivelyreleasedthroughthesystematicand regular practice of Yoga Nidra. Muscular tension results from nervous andendocrinalimbalances.Itmanifestsintheformofstiffnessand rigidity in the physical body. In the practice of Yoga Nidra the body is Progressivelyrelaxed,whichinturnreleasestheaccumulated muscular tensions. Indaytodaylifeindividualsfailtoexpresstheiremotionsfreelyand openly.Asaresult,theemotionsarerepressedandmanifestinthe formofemotionaltension.InthepracticeofYogaNidra,the practitionerslowlymovestowardsthedeeperrealmsofthemind whereweconfrontthydeeprootedemotionaltensions.Whenthe practitionerrecognizestheseemotionaltensionswithfullawareness andawitnessingattitude,repressedemotionsarereleasedandthe practitioner becomes calm and tranquil. Duetoexcessiveactivityonthementalplane,themindalways remainsinastateofarousal,whichresultsinmentaltension. Throughoutlifethemindisfedwithnegativedata.Inthepracticeof YogaNidra,especiallyinrotationofconsciousnessandbreath awareness,themindisrelaxed,therebyreleasingthemental tensions.Inthisway,throughtheregularandsincerepracticeof Yoga Nidra, tensions at the physical, emotional and mental level can be released. 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