Yoga philosophy has long recognized sleep as far more than a biological necessity. In classical yogic texts, deep, restful sleep (nidra) is considered one of the essential states of consciousness alongside waking and dreaming. The quality of this sleep directly influences one’s capacity for spiritual development.
According to yogic wisdom, proper sleep allows prana (life energy) to circulate freely throughout the body, removing blockages and restoring balance. This understanding predates modern science by thousands of years, yet aligns remarkably well with current research on sleep’s restorative functions.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali specifically mention that both excessive sleep and insufficient sleep create obstacles on the path of yoga. This balance point—not too much, not too little—reflects yoga’s broader emphasis on finding the middle path in all aspects of life.
