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What Happens to the Brain During Yoga Nidra?

An Expert Interview on fMRI Insights from Rahul Garg | SipSci Lab

Is Yoga Nidra merely deep relaxation—or does it place the brain in a distinct, measurable state of consciousness?

In this in-depth expert interviewProf. Rahul Garg from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi shares findings from a research study that uses functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to examine what actually happens inside the brain during Yoga Nidra.

Produced by SipSci Lab, this conversation moves Yoga Nidra beyond wellness claims and into the domain of evidence-based neuroscience.


What This Expert Conversation Explores

Drawing directly from fMRI-based observations, the discussion explains:

  • How fMRI allows scientists to observe brain activityWhat blood-oxygen signals reveal about active and resting neural networks.
  • Which brain regions change during Yoga NidraAnd how these patterns differ from ordinary rest.
  • Yoga Nidra vs sleep vs meditation—at the neural levelWhy Yoga Nidra cannot be reduced to “sleep with awareness.”
  • Implications for stress, anxiety, focus, and mental healthWhat the brain signatures suggest—and what they do not yet prove.
  • Ancient yogic practices through the lens of modern neuroscienceHow traditional Indian knowledge systems are being examined using contemporary tools—without dilution or exaggeration.

Rather than simplifying the science, the interview carefully explains what is known, what is emerging, and what still requires further research.


Why This Interview Matters

Yoga Nidra is often marketed as a shortcut to rest or healing.

This conversation restores scientific nuance.

It is especially relevant for:

  • Yoga practitioners seeking deeper understanding
  • Students of neuroscience, psychology, and cognitive science
  • Mental health professionals and science communicators
  • Anyone curious about how the brain truly rests while remaining aware

The interview demonstrates that Yoga Nidra represents a distinct state of conscious rest, not merely a subjective feeling of calm.


Bridging Yogic Wisdom and Brain Science

A central strength of this discussion is its balance:

  • Respect for ancient yogic traditions
  • Rigorous interpretation of neuroimaging data

The conversation shows how Indian knowledge systems can be studied scientifically—without mystification, and without reductionism.


About the Production

This expert interview is produced by SipSci Lab, a platform dedicated to responsible, evidence-driven science communication.

SipSci Lab is powered by Wow Work Wins LLP, a knowledge-focused media company working at the intersection of science, health, and society.


A Thought to Carry Forward

Yoga Nidra is not about “switching off” the mind.

It is about resting with awareness—and neuroscience is beginning to show how the brain supports that state.

Watch the full interview to rethink what rest, awareness, and meditation truly mean—from inside the brain itself.

Tags:

#YogaNidra #Neuroscience #BrainHealth #fMRI #MentalWellness #ConsciousRest #MeditationScience #IITDelhi #SipSciLab #ScienceExplained