WHY MOTHERS NEED YOGA NIDRA THE MOST
At the end of my Yoga Nidra teacher training with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli, she said: “Do you know who needs this practice the most? MOTHERS.” Her words resonated deeply with me. I’d just spent two full years in the depths of sleep deprivation, feeling completely exhausted and quite depleted, as my son hadn’t managed to sleep more than an hour or two at a time since he was about 4 months old. I found the teacher training to be the most replenishing, restorative, nourishing, and powerful way to come home to myself. It was mostly because I spent a lot of time in the state of Yoga Nidra awareness.
Since my training, I have kept a daily practice of Yoga Nidra. I do one in the morning as soon as I wake up, one before nursery pick-up, and another before bed. I find this combination quite powerful, as I start the day feeling rested and centered, I recalibrate before the afternoon/evening wildness with a toddler, and soothe myself into the night. Whenever I’ve felt ill, emotionally overwhelmed, or simply exhausted, I do more Yoga Nidra. It has basically become my go-to resource for deep nourishment and restoration.
The Unique Challenges Mothers Face
As mothers, we find it so difficult to stop, to slow down, and to rest. We're used to being busy and filling up our time with endless to-dos. The constant demands of motherhood—caring for our children, managing the household, and often juggling work—leave us feeling depleted. The mental and emotional burden, often referred to as the "invisible load," includes worrying about family members, planning, and emotional labour, all of which add to our exhaustion.
I know so many mums (including myself at times) who’d rather get the laundry done and make dinner during a 20-30 minute gap in their day than take a moment to rest. In fact, resting is never at the top of our priority list, even though we need it more than anyone else in the world. Sometimes we feel anxious at the idea of resting; slowing down feels risky, as if it’s a threat. So we get caught up scrolling on our phones instead, and call it a break. Or sometimes we simply don’t know how to rest, or what feels restful to us. And so many of us are not great at napping either. Resting feels too difficult to fit in and to feel good about.
Benefits of Yoga Nidra for Mothers
This is why Yoga Nidra is precisely what mothers need the most. In 15 minutes, we can feel so deeply rested and nourished, that it can transform our entire day. As long as we can find 15 minutes in a comfortable space—whether that’s on the floor, on the sofa, a chair, or in bed—we can enter a state of Yoga Nidra awareness that will re-energise us, bringing ease, flow, and balance.
Yoga Nidra offers profound benefits, particularly for mothers:
Deep Rest and Recovery: It provides the deep rest that we so desperately need but rarely get, helping to counteract the effects of sleep deprivation and constant fatigue.
Stress Reduction: The practice can reduce stress and anxiety, promoting a calm and healing, which is essential for managing the demands of family life.
Improved Sleep Quality: Regular practice can improve overall sleep quality, even if actual sleep hours remain limited or interrupted.
Emotional Resilience: It brings space and perspective, helping manage emotions better, offering a sanctuary of calm amidst the storms of daily life.
Practical Aspects of Yoga Nidra for Busy Moms
One of the most appealing aspects of Yoga Nidra is its accessibility. It can be done anywhere, without the need for special equipment or a lot of time, making it perfect for mothers with busy schedules. Even short sessions (15-20 minutes) can have profound effects. You can integrate Yoga Nidra into your daily routine during your commute to work, during your child’s nap or after they go to bed, during breaks at work, or - my personal favourite - as an extra snooze in the morning before you get up.
Personal Transformation and Empowerment
Yoga Nidra has allowed me to widen my perspective to live with more awareness and presence. It gives me the rest I need to meet the demands of everyday life. It offers me the opportunity to slow down and simply be. It gives me the courage to follow what I know is truly aligned with my values.
Taking time for Yoga Nidra is an act of self-care and empowerment. By prioritizsng our wellbeing, we can be more present and effective in our roles as mothers. This practice is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for us who give so much to others but often forget to nourish ourselves.
Scientific studies support the benefits of Yoga Nidra, showing its positive effects on brain wave activity, stress hormones, and overall mental health. Experts in yoga therapy and medical professionals advocate for its use as a tool for stress reduction and mental wellness, further validating its importance.
I encourage all mothers to give themselves permission to rest and to prioritise their wellbeing. Try my Yoga Nidra recording below and notice how you feel afterwards. If there’s somewhere you need to be, I recommend putting an alarm for when you need to get up, just in case you do fall asleep. Yoga Nidra is adaptogenic, so it will give you whatever you need, and for most of us, that means more sleep! So it is very likely that you will fall asleep, at least when you first start practising Yoga Nidra, as you work through your fatigue. Remember, taking care of yourself is the first step to being able to care for others effectively.