Sleep is one of the most important activities in life. But getting a good night’s sleep isn’t always easy. One of the best ways to ensure a restful night is to practice yoga before going to bed. Yoga not only helps relax your mind and body, but can also help prepare you for sleep. Here are five of the best yoga poses for sleep.
Child’s Pose
Child’s pose is often seen as the resting pose for yoga practice. It is restful and comforting, and has a number of health benefits. When practiced before bed, it can help to relax the mind and body and prepare you for sleep. To practice child’s pose, start with your legs folded underneath you. Then, slowly move your torso forward, rolling your back and stretching your arms out in front of you. Eventually, rest your forehead on the floor and relax your body.
Legs Up the Wall
Legs up the wall is a very simple pose that can help relax the muscles in your legs and lower back, and reduce stress in the body. To practice it, lie on your back and place your legs up against a wall so that your body is at a 90-degree angle. Hold the pose for at least 5 minutes, and focus on breathing deeply and relaxing your body.
Reclining Bound Angle Pose
The reclining bound angle pose is a restful pose that helps to reduce stress and tension in the body. To practice it, lay down on your back with your knees bent and the soles of your feet touching. Place your hands on your stomach and close your eyes. Focus on your breathing and relax the tension in your body.
Corpse Pose
The corpse pose is one of the most effective poses for relaxation and calming of body and mind. This pose helps to relieve tension and fatigue, and can also be used to practice mindfulness and meditate. To do this yoga pose, lay down on your back with your arms at your sides. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Don’t think about anything else and simply bring your awareness to the nothingness and your body’s ability to rest.
Savasana
Savasana, or corpse pose, is a restful pose in which you lie down on your back and hold your palms facing up. It has many of the same benefits as the corpse pose, but is more calming and restorative. To practice it, lay down on your back with your palms facing up and your feet spread apart. Close your eyes and allow your body to become heavy, focusing on each part of the body and letting it relax. Stay in this pose for 10 to 15 minutes, and allow yourself to completely destress.
Adding these five yoga poses to your pre-bed time ritual can help you to get a better night’s sleep. Not only are they restful, but they can also help to relieve stress and tension in the body, leading to relaxed and restful nights.
sleep.org