Trouble falling asleep? You’re not alone! Whether you’re dealing with insomnia, restless syndrome or other sleep disorder keeping you up at night, it’s important to craft a proper sleep schedule and bedtime routine to help fight off sleep deprivation. Yoga has many benefits, but it’s especially great to unwind with before bed as it helps relax your body and mind while improving overall sleep quality. Here are a few bedtime yoga poses you can incorporate into your bedtime routine.
Child’s Pose
Child’s pose, also known as balasana, is a simple pose that helps promote relaxation and calmness while relieving tension in the back and shoulders. This is the perfect pose to engage in after a long day. Start by kneeling on the floor with your toes together and hips should-width apart. Slowly push your hips back and rest your chest in between your thighs.
Then, rest your forehead on the ground and stretch your arms forward. Hold this pose for three to five minutes or longer if you’d like. Take slow and steady breaths through your nose as you hold this pose. If you feel comfortable, try slowly rocking your head back and forth. This helps relieve any tension you may be feeling in your brow. To ensure you’re comfortable in this pose, wear a comfortable pair of yoga leggings so you’re able to feel the stretch and aren’t restricted by your clothing.
Cat and Cow Pose
Though it has an interesting name, cat and cow pose is extremely effective for relieving tension in your spine, shoulders and lower back while also promoting mental relaxation. Begin on your hands and knees with your wrists lined up with your shoulders. Inhale into cow pose by bringing the top of your head and your tail bone up to the ceiling. Then, exhale into cat pose by tilting the crown of your head down and arching your spine.
Focus on drawing your belly button in toward your spine while you’re in the cat pose to allow for a deeper stretch. Repeat the sequence five to 20 times, remembering to take slow and deep inhales and exhales as you perform the movements.
Corpse Pose
Also known as savasana, corpse pose is the best way to end your bedtime yoga routine, and best of all, it can be done from your bed. Corpse pose is great for lowering blood pressure and heart rate, relieving tension in your body and promoting relaxation.
To begin this pose, simply lie on your back with your legs straight in front of you. Relax your arms at your sides with your palms facing up. With your eyes closed, take slow deep belly breaths and allow your body to relax completely. Hold this pose for 10 to 15 minutes, or however long you feel is needed. If you have trouble quieting your mind before bed, try putting on some soothing music or engaging in meditation while you hold the pose.
Although sleep doesn’t always come easy, unwinding with some bedtime yoga can help you relax so you can get a good night’s rest. For more yoga poses you can do before bed as well as tips for crafting a perfect sleep schedule, check out the infographic guide below.
Author Bio:
Corey Doane is a digital content creator who helps Adidas create helpful and compelling stories worth sharing. Her background in digital marketing and creative writing has led her to cover unique topics ranging from business to eco to lifestyle.
