Welcome to the

Andala Wellness Journal

Calm reflections, practical rituals, and thoughtful guides—written to help you rest, recover, and grow in health.

Start where you are. Each article is a small step toward gentler, deeper health.

SSR → Sleep, Stress, and Recovery practices to restore balance.
Nutrition → Science and bio-individuality meet in simple, seasonal eating.
Deep Health → The six dimensions of health — physical to existential.
SSR, Yoga Nidra Andrei Paraschiv SSR, Yoga Nidra Andrei Paraschiv

Yoga Nidra and NSDR — The Science of Healing Stillness

Key Takeaways

  • Yoga Nidra and NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest) both guide the body into parasympathetic recovery while keeping awareness partially active.

  • Research shows these practices lower stress hormones, promote neuroplasticity, and enhance cognitive recovery.

  • Yoga Nidra offers a structured, time-tested process with spiritual and psychological benefits beyond relaxation.

  • NSDR is a term popularised in neuroscience to describe similar outcomes from rest protocols like Yoga Nidra.

  • Understanding the mechanisms behind these practices helps users and professionals apply them more effectively.

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SSR, Yoga Nidra Andrei Paraschiv SSR, Yoga Nidra Andrei Paraschiv

The Benefits and Limitations of Yoga Nidra

Key Takeaways

  • Yoga Nidra is a structured, evidence-supported practice with benefits for stress reduction, sleep, and mental clarity.

  • Its applications extend to nervous system regulation, trauma recovery, learning, and emotional health.

  • Like any method, Yoga Nidra has limitations—it is not a replacement for therapy, sleep, or medical treatment.

  • The benefits increase with regular practice, but individual results vary.

  • Clear expectations support sustainable engagement and help people choose the right tools for their needs.

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SSR, Yoga Nidra Andrei Paraschiv SSR, Yoga Nidra Andrei Paraschiv

Rituals of Deep Rest — How to Build a Yoga Nidra Routine

Key Takeaways

  • Yoga Nidra is most effective when practised regularly, even in short sessions.

  • Establishing a basic structure, environment, and consistent timing makes the practice sustainable.

  • The routine can be adapted for different goals such as stress relief, sleep, or emotional regulation.

  • Rest rituals work best when simple, repeatable, and integrated into existing habits.

  • Flexibility is key—what matters is consistency and intentional practice, not perfection.

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SSR, Yoga Nidra Andrei Paraschiv SSR, Yoga Nidra Andrei Paraschiv

What Is Yoga Nidra? Understanding the Practice of Conscious Rest

Key Takeaways

  • Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation technique that brings the body into deep rest while the mind remains aware.

  • It follows a structured protocol of relaxation, sensory withdrawal, and mental focus.

  • The practice is distinct from sleep, hypnosis, or seated meditation.

  • It activates the parasympathetic nervous system and improves stress regulation, sleep, and focus.

  • Yoga Nidra is accessible, adaptable, and suitable for most individuals.

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Yoga Nidra Origins — From Mythic Rest to Modern Science

Key Takeaways

  • Yoga Nidra has deep roots in yogic texts, Tantra, and Upanishadic philosophy, long before its modern therapeutic revival.

  • The ancient concept of Yogic Sleep was associated with divine rest, cosmic balance, and the doorway to transcendental consciousness (Turiya).

  • Swami Satyananda Saraswati systematised Yoga Nidra in the 20th century, making it widely teachable and therapeutically accessible.

  • Modern science now studies Yoga Nidra through the lens of brainwaves, neuroplasticity, trauma recovery, and stress regulation.

  • Yoga Nidra bridges the sacred and the secular: it is as much about spiritual awakening as it is about nervous system healing.

  • Understanding its lineage helps us honour the tradition while applying it effectively in modern life.

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SSR Andrei Paraschiv SSR Andrei Paraschiv

Stress, Sleep, and the Cycle of Recovery — Completing the Loop

Key Takeaways

  • Sleep and stress are inseparable: Stress disrupts sleep, and lack of sleep heightens stress. Understanding their cycle helps restore balance.

  • Recovery is an active process: Rest is not absence of activity—it’s the body’s way of rebuilding strength and clarity.

  • Small rituals regulate big systems: Breathing, movement, and consistent routines help close the stress loop and invite better sleep.

  • Awareness is the key: Recognizing tension and responding early prevents chronic burnout and restores natural rhythm.

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The Sleep Sanctuary — How Environment Shapes Rest

Key Takeaways

  • Your surroundings shape your sleep: Light, temperature, noise, and order directly influence how deeply you rest.

  • The body seeks cues of safety: A calm, uncluttered environment tells your nervous system it’s safe to let go.

  • Simple design shifts improve sleep quality: Cool air, soft darkness, and sensory balance create conditions for deep rest.

  • Rest is a space, not just a state: Building a mindful evening environment is an act of care that transforms routine into ritual.

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Your Body Clock — Understanding Circadian Rhythm and the Rhythm of Life

  • Your body runs on a natural clock: Known as the circadian rhythm, it governs sleep, digestion, hormones, and mood.

  • Light and darkness are your daily guides: Aligning your habits with nature’s cycles restores energy and balance.

  • Disconnection from rhythm causes imbalance: Irregular sleep, stress, and overstimulation confuse the body’s timekeeping system.

  • Harmony is built through awareness: Simple changes—morning light, steady meals, and consistent evenings—reconnect you to your natural flow.

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Sleep Myths That Keep You Tired — What Science Really Says

  • Sleep myths distort our understanding of health: Many common beliefs about sleep are outdated or false, keeping us stuck in fatigue cycles.

  • Science replaces assumptions with evidence: Studies reveal that sleep quantity, quality, and consistency matter more than quick fixes.

  • Yogic wisdom complements modern research: Ancient teachings remind us that balance and awareness—not control—restore restfulness.

  • Awareness breaks the cycle: Understanding what truly helps or harms sleep empowers sustainable, mindful change.

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The Science of Sleep: Why Rest is the Missing Piece of Wellness

Key Takeaways

  • Sleep is the foundation of Deep Health: It nourishes the body, mind, emotions, relationships, and overall sense of balance.

  • Modern lifestyles disrupt natural rhythms: Stress, screens, and cultural overwork have eroded our relationship with rest.

  • Science and yoga agree: Quality sleep supports physical recovery, emotional regulation, and mental clarity—bridging biology and inner stillness.

  • Awareness is the first step: By observing sleep habits and small changes, we can rebuild a sustainable, restorative relationship with rest.

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The Andala Method: Bio-Individuality Meets Ritual

Key Takeaways:

·         One-size-fits-all wellness advice often fails because it ignores bio-individuality.

·         SSR becomes powerful when adapted to personal rhythms and needs.

·         Rituals anchor consistency, teaching the body and mind when to soften.

·         Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra offer flexible tools to create unique evening resets.

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Recovery: Energy, Vitality, and the Art of Doing Less

Key Takeaways:

  • Recovery is more than sleep — it includes active, passive, social, and existential dimensions.

  • Under-recovery shows up as fatigue, irritability, and lack of progress.

  • Bio-individual recovery needs vary — some restore through solitude, others through connection.

  • Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra amplify recovery by teaching the body to deeply rest.

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SSR Andrei Paraschiv SSR Andrei Paraschiv

Stress and the Body: Completing the Cycle

Key Takeaways:

  • Stress itself is not harmful; unfinished stress is.

  • The body holds stress in muscles, breath, and nervous system patterns.

  • Completing the stress cycle restores balance and prevents overload.

  • Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and simple actions help finish the loop.

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Sleep as a Skill: Training Rest as Capacity

Key Takeaways:

  • Sleep is not only hours in bed but a trainable capacity.

  • Rituals before bed shape the quality of your rest.

  • Circadian rhythm is sensitive to light, food, and behavior cues.

  • Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra support the transition into restorative sleep.

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Introducing SSR: Sleep, Stress, and Recovery for Modern Life

Key Takeaways:

  • SSR (Sleep, Stress, Recovery) is the foundation of sustainable health.

  • Poor sleep, unfinished stress, and lack of recovery fuel exhaustion.

  • Small, bio-individual rituals restore balance more than one-size-fits-all tips.

  • Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra amplify recovery by calming body and mind.

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