Sleep Yoga

Sleep Yoga- It is a way to release the day's stressors both physically and mentally. This simple practice helps the body relax and ready to sleep instead of going to bed with all of the stressors from the day stuck inside your body. Sleep yoga may be able to help you fall asleep quicker, especially for those who have difficulty shutting down their brain at night. Sleep yoga may also help put the body in a calm and relaxed state, allowing your blood pressure to slow itself naturally.

Hold each pose for 2-5 minutes, bringing your awareness to your breath. Inhale through your nose as you count to 4, fill your belly with air, exhale through your mouth as you count to 5, feeling your belly button go toward your spine.

Seated Forward Stretch: This pose can be substituted with the butterfly stretch. Both positions allow you to slow your heart rate, release tension from your back and lower back.

Cat-Cow: This pose stretches the back and neck after a long day. Inhale through your nose and fill your belly with air for cow, exhale through your mouth, feel your belly button go toward your spine for cat. Repeat each set 4 times.

Child's Pose: This position brings a calming effect to the mind and body by having your heart lower than your head. This pose can also be done with a pillow under your chest and head for additional support.

Legs-Up-The-Wall: A great way to slow down, allow the heart rate to slow down, take some pressure off of your lower back and recharge. This pose can be done with your legs on the headboard while laying on the bed, or it can be done on the floor with your legs on the wall. If needed, add a pillow under your lower back for additional support.

Corpse Pose: Another great pose that allows the body to melt, find a sense of calm and slowly drift to sleep with either a guided meditation or calming background music. If needed, you may add a pillow under your knees for additional back support.

Hope you have a good night's sleep!