True or False of Sleep, Ojas and Shavasana

BY Indu Arora2 min read • September 9, 2021

Sleep, Ojas, and Shavasana

Shavasana can be used to replace sleep. False

Only sleep can replace sleep. Relaxation practices may be helpful in easing some of the symptoms of sleep-deprivation fatigue by being a rest portal but it is not the same as natural sleep. Natural sleep has phases of REM and NON-REM cycles, triggering alpha, beta, theta, and delta brain wave modulations. Shavasana is primarily alpha brain wave modulation and may cover the rest induced in REM cycle only.

Ojas can be improved by keeping healthy sleep hygiene. True

Sleep hygiene involves avoiding blue screen/light for a couple hours before bed, eating easy to digest meals 3-4 hours before bed time, avoiding reading/watching/listening to/doing activities that are stimulating to the senses and mind 2-4 hours before bed time and practicing a healthy night routine. This all helps in increasing ojas.

There is only one variety of sleep. False

According to Ayurveda, there are five types of sleep. The natural night sleep, the sleep of dosha aggravation, the sleep of sickness and injury, the sleep of guna aggravation, the sleep that is death, the sleep of emotional exhaustion/depression, and the sleep which is caused by excess physical exertion.

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