Contraindications and precautions for Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is considered a generally safe practice, however, like any method, it presents certain potential contraindications, which may arise from pre-existing medical conditions or an unfavorable psychological context.
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Contraindicated if:
Unstabilized mental and emotional disorders
Yoga Nidra practice may not be suitable for individuals with behavioral disorders who require more active approaches to managing their anxiety and behavior.
Severe depression
Depression, anxiety or severe psychological trauma.
Advanced pregnancy
Some reclining positions may be uncomfortable for pregnant women in their last trimester, so adjustment or professional advice is recommended.
Hypersensitivity to stimuli and compulsive disorders
These disorders can be aggravated by the practice of Yoga Nidra, especially without specific supervision.
Medical opinion if:
Unstable acute stress situation
Yoga Nidra can sometimes exacerbate anxiety or bring up intense emotions that become difficult to manage for some people in a situation of psychological fragility or an emotionally unstable period.
Specific neurological disorders
For people suffering from certain neurological disorders (e.g. uncontrolled epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis), caution is advised, and medical advice may be required.
Respiratory disorders
Cardiac pathologies
The results of yoga nidra can vary from one individual to another. For example, while some participants experienced a significant reduction in stress and anxiety, others barely noticed any effects after the practice. In any case, this is what some studies show. This phenomenon could be attributed to individual differences linked to sensitivity to relaxation or personal commitment to the practice(Nuzhath et al., 2024; Ferreira-Vorkapic et al., 2018).