We spend roughly one-third of our life sleeping. The most effortless of human needs and, like The New York Times puts it, ‘Sleep is the new bottled water’—free, but a commodity. So why does sleep sometimes seem so elusive?
Eight hours of sleep is the standard, but the likelihood of drifting promptly and rising in unison with the alarm is uncertain. Sleep is precious and a necessity for reviving. Some good news is there are unwinding rituals proven to aid rest and rejuvenation: here are some basic yoga asanas to employ to calm the mind and body for quality sleep.
Reclining Bound Angle Pose
Supta Baddha Konasana, or reclining bound angle pose improves general circulation and stimulates abdominal organs. Place a bolster under the lower back for a greater stretch. Hold for three minutes.
Cat pose / cow pose
These two separate poses together, gently massages your belly organs and and back. Ensure that your neck is in line with your torso. Alternate for two minutes, and don’t be scared to exhale a deep sigh.
Head-to-knee forward bend
Relieving anxiety, fatigue, headache, and calming the brain Janu Sirsasana stretches you. Use a blanket under your buttocks if necessary. Draw the heel back toward you with your leg straight out infront, the other gently resting on your inner thigh. Hold one minute per leg.
Legs up on the wall pose:
There’s a consensus, that Viparita Karani or legs on the wall pose is an ails (I think so too!) The stretch is minimal, gravity the only push. There is only one thing to determine before sitting in this stretch, the distance from the wall experiment, wherever you are in this position, be comfortable! If you’re flexible, you’ll want to be aiming to have your support against the wall. Hold for at least 2 minutes, or up to 5.
Further, to truly benefit from this unwinding flow, try doing this in a dimly lit environment. Giving your brain the best opportunity to relax without surrounding stimulus.