Yoganidrasana registers as 18* on BKS Iyengar’s 60* scale of difficulty in Light on Yoga.
Yoganidra, is defined as a state between sleeping and wakefulness. In Yoganidrasana, Iyengar says, “the legs form the Yogi’s pillow and the back is his couch.” While you’d suspect this yoga pose feels much more intense than a state between sleep and wakefulness, Yoganidrasana actually can be quite comfortable, if approached correctly.
Once you feel comfortable with Eka Pada Sirsasana, then you can begin to work on Yoganidrasana. Lay on your back, swing one leg over your head and then the next. Once your legs are behind your head, cross your ankles, using your hands to help you place your legs. Then, reach your arms forward and interlace your hands behind your back.
I find that, once I get into Yoganidrasana, I tend to rock back and forth a bit until I settle into the pose. Consider this as part of the fun! Once you settle in, you might be surprised by how comfortable Yoganidrasana can be.
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Tags: BKS Iyengar, deep forward fold yoga poses, forward bending yoga poses, forward bends, Light on Yoga, Yoganidrasana
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