Most people sleep without resolving their tensions,

This is termed nidra

Nidra means sleep, no matter what or why,

But yoga nidra means sleep after throwing off the burdens,

It is of a blissful, higher quality altogether.

When awareness is separate and distinct from the vrittis(Modifications of mind),

When waking, dream and deep sleep pass like clouds,

Yet awareness of atma (soul) remains

This is the experience of total relaxation.

Relaxation dose not mean sleep.

Relaxation means to be blissfully happy,

It has no end.

I call bliss absolute relaxation;

Sleep gives only mind and sense relaxation.

Bliss relaxes the atma, the inner self;

That is why, in tantra,

Yoga nidra is the doorway to samadhi.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Namaste,

 Manu