Yoga is known for strengthening the body and increasing its flexibility but did you know that yoga can also help induce sleep and improve your sleep quality? Here are a few poses you can try to get better quality ZZZZs and fall asleep faster.

 

 

 

 

 

Child’s Pose –

This pose might remind you of the way babies, toddlers and young kids sleep sometimes. Sit down on your heels and bend your body forward to the floor, stretching your arms out in front of you or next to you (pointing to the back as seen in the above picture  # 1). Take a few slow deep breaths.  

 

Up The Wall –

Lie with your back on the floor and legs raised up against the wall (see picture # 2). Take a few slow deep breaths.  

 

Twist And Side –

Lie down on your back with arms stretched to the sides. Twist your leg to the left side (see above pic #3) and take slow deep breaths. Switch to the right side and take slow deep breaths again. 

 

Rock And Hug –

Lie down on your back, bring your knees up like you do during a crunches and hug gently taking a few slow deep breaths. See pic #4 in the above picture.

 

Sole-mates Together –

Lie with back on the floor and bring the soles of your feet together. Take a few slow deep breaths. See pic #5 in above picture.

 

Palming –

This is part of eye yoga but I think it is great for inducing sleep. Rub your hands together to warm it up and cover your eyes with your palms for about 5 minutes while applying gentle pressure on your eyes. 

 

Here is a video with more moves to incorporate into your night time yoga routine –

 

 

 

Overall, these poses help relieve built-up tension in our bodies, relax our minds and make us feel better. The best part is that these poses can be done on your bed (just make sure you don’t fall off the bed). You can also try the cat pose and puppy pose. Remember to concentrate on your poses and breathing so your mind doesn’t get distracted. You can switch off or turn down the lights for the last three poses which might help generate melatonin (sleep hormone) to help you fall asleep faster. Have you tried yoga for sleep?  Would you try these poses? 

 

P.S. –  Research deeper and talk to your doctor before starting any poses.  

 

The answers you seek never come when the mind is busy, they come when the mind is still ~ Luce Cannon

 

Love,

Heel in Mint