Best Yoga Poses For Sleep

Yoga has many benefits and we can use our asana practice to achieve many different things. Including these poses that are the Best Yoga Poses For Sleep. If you are having a hard time falling asleep or need to decompress and prepare for your zzz’s these four poses can you help you achieve just that. Disconnect from electronics, turn off your TV and put down your phone. Take 10-20 minutes and practice these poses with a deep connection to your breath. Length your inhales and exhales. Settle in and enjoy some peace and quiet.

CHilds Pose

Starting your nightly practice in child’s pose is a great way to bring your attention inward. Gently applying pressure to third eye space and pineal gland helping to aid with chemical balances in the body. This shape allows you to turn your attention to yourself and your breath.

Alignment

sitting on to your knees with your toes together to touch and your needs wide. Settle your hips towards your heels and extend your arms forward on your mat. Another variation is with your knees and ankles together to touch allow your forehead to rest to the earth. Place your arms by your sides with your palms face up.

If this is uncomfortable on your knees you can place a blanket under your knees and/or between your thigh and your calves taking your knees out of the deep flexion. If your head cannot rest to the floor comfortably you can also place a pillow under your forehead.

Paschimotanasana

Paschimotanasana or seated forward fold helps to create length through the low back, hamstrings and brings the attention inward. Allowing the practitioner to clear the mind focus on breath and relax.

Alignment

Taking a seated position with your legs straight in front of you, folding forward over the legs. You can do this pose two ways, focusing on the hamstrings keeping the legs straight or bending the knees with your chest and thighs together to touch allow your legs to straighten while maintaining your chest and thighs in contact.

Supta BadhaKonasana

Supta Badhakonasana or reclined bound angle allows you to open your hips release any tension or stress in the hip joint. Relaxing into this pose and finding deep breathes can help to support and release in the hip joint and tension in the body.

Alignment

lying onto your back with your feet together to touch and your knees opening wide. Let the thighs weigh heavy to the earth. This pose can also be done supported with a bolster or pillow under your torso and blankets or smaller bolsters under your knees.

Legs Up The Wall

Legs up the wall can help with relaxation and stress. It also has a benefit on swelling and improving circulation. Legs up the wall can be held for anywhere from 2-20 minutes and will help with anxiety and relaxation.

Alignment

Supported legs up the wall is done with a blanket folded placed up against the wall. Place your hips on the blanket and move her hips all the way against the wall. Turn on to your back and extend your legs up the wall.

Corpse Pose

Svasana is a great way to finish out your practice for sleep. Find some stillness in your body. Let your body get heavy and clear your mind. Take a mantra and repeat to prepare for your night of rest. This can be a hard pose for most, but there are so many benefits to stay in this space for just 2-3 minutes.

Looking for ways to help you practice mindfulness check out these tips HERE.