When it comes to sleep, yoga can be a great way to relax the mind and body and get a good night’s rest. Certain yoga postures can provide incredible benefits that help you fall asleep and stay asleep. To get you started, here are five of the best yoga poses for sleep.
Cobra Pose
Cobra pose helps activate muscles in the back and works to open up your thoracic spine, allowing for better breathing which promotes relaxation. Be sure to do this pose gently and avoid hyperextending your back.
Child’s Pose
Child’s pose is a great way to stretch out your spine and legs. It allows you to deeply relax into the floor while stretching your back, hips, and rib cage, which can help release any held tension. This is a restful pose that helps bring down the “fight-or-flight” hormone called cortisol, giving you a sense of safety that will help you relax and fall asleep more easily.
Legs Up the Wall
Legs up the wall is a restful pose that helps calm and release your legs. Placing your legs up the wall can help release tension that accumulates in your feet and lower back. It can allow for better circulation in your legs and feet, helping you relax further.
Reclined Bound Angle
Reclined bound angle pose can help reduce stress and relax your body. This pose gently stretches your back, hips, and chest which can help open up your tension-holding areas. It can also help calm your body, preparing you to drift off into a peaceful sleep.
Corpse Pose
The final pose is corpse pose — the perfect pose for getting to sleep! This pose allows you to deeply relax into the floor and provides a deep, calming sense of balance. This pose can help your body shut down and produce melatonin, the hormone that helps us sleep.
Yoga is a powerful tool for getting to sleep, calming the mind and body, and producing some much-needed relaxation. Be sure to try out some of these poses to get a better night’s rest.
sleep.org