Lynda: It’s 11pm and the mind is still active and alert. You have a big day ahead of you and you know how important sleep is for your overall health and function but the anticipation and panic of another sleepless night is only amplifying the problem.
Why not try a short Yin Yoga sequence before bed? Certain yin yoga poses calm the nervous system and promote an undisrupted sleep. Below is a sleep inducing sequence you can do to get your body into a restful state. Stay in each posture for 3-5 minutes. Or longer if you feel compelled.
Dangling
This delicious posture slows the heart rate and nourishes the spine, a structure which supports the entire body. Dangle also massages the intestines which often feel the discomfort of a nervous mind.
To get into Dangle:
- Stand with the feet, hip width apart.
- Fold forward with bent knees. You may need to bend your knees more if you have any issues with the back.
- Let the crown of the head drop toward the floor.
- Rest the back of the hands on the floor.
- To come out of it – slowly roll up to standing. Or move into a squat if you have low blood pressure.
- Stand, relaxed with arms alongside the body or in a squat position for 1-2 minutes.
- Avoid dangling if you have high blood pressure.
Wide Kneed Child’s Pose
Child’s pose is a calming and restorative posture. A beautiful posture to drip into when feeling anxious. This posture also stimulates the liver meridian channels. The liver when out of balance can lead to irregular emotions such as anger and frustration. When liver “chi” (life-force) is healthy we are more fluid and flexible and are able to adapt and change to situations better.
To get into Wide Kneed Child’s Pose:
- Sit on your heels.
- Spread your knees apart. As wide as they will go.
- Keep your hips back toward the arches of your feet.
- Rest forward onto your chest with arms outstretched and palms facing the floor or with your head resting on your forearms.
- Stay in the posture for 5 minutes.
- To come out bring your hands forward if folded and on an inhale raise your hips and bring one knee toward the centre of your body.
- Rest in child’s pose with knees together for 1-2 minutes.
Caterpillar
Caterpillar massages the heart, the organs of digestion and supports the kidneys. Emotionally when kidney health is compromised we may experience fear. In chinese medicine the heart is seen as the house where spirit lives. When the heart “chi” is healthy we experience harmony and inner peace.
To get into Caterpillar:
- Place a cushion under your sitting bones if you have tight hamstrings. Or bend your knees.
- Begin to bend forward from the hips.
- Allow spine to curve into a forward bend.
- Let the head drop or place your head onto a cushion (or bolster).
- Palms are open and facing the ceiling. Do not reach aggressively for the toes.
- Stay in this pose for 5 minutes.
- Come out on an inhalation, raise your spine slowly until you are upright.
- Lay on your back to rest for 1-2 minutes.
Note – If you have sciatica, elevate the hips by using a blanket or cushion underneath your bottom or avoid this posture.
Legs-Up-The- Wall
Viparita Karani otherwise known as legs up the wall supports the urinary bladder meridian channels. When the urinary bladder is out of balance we may experience an inability to cope and have fear of change. This posture is perfect for those who spend many hours standing as it improves circulation by drawing stagnant blood from the legs to the lower body.
To get into Legs-Up-The-Wall
- Sit with your right hip and bottom close to the wall.
- Lie onto your back and straighten the legs up toward the ceiling.
- Make sure both butt cheeks touch the wall.
- Rest your head back. Your chin should be the same height as your forehead. If not use a blanket underneath your head.
- Stay in this posture for 3-5 minutes or longer if you desire.
- To come out of it – bend your knees and push with your feet away from the wall. Roll over to one side and rest there with bent knees for a moment.
Savasana aka “corpse posture”
Now it’s time to rest the entire body and mind completely.
To get into Savasana:
- Lie on your back and let the feet flop away from each other.
- Pop a blanket over your body so you stay warm and receptive to relaxation.
- Palms of the hands are open and facing the ceiling.
- Scan the body for any areas of tension – feet, legs, lower back, entire spine, hands, arms, throat, face and entire head. Gradually allow these areas to soften, open up and melt into the floor.
- Stay in this posture for 3-5 minutes.
- Finally make your way into bed and enjoy some heavenly and restorative sleep.
“Stress is the trash of modern life. We all generate it but if you don’t dispose of it properly it will pile up and overtake your life” Danzae Pace
For more sleep hacks below:
Podcast – Top Sleep Hacks: How to Manufacture the Best Nights Sleep
The Ultimate Guide to Sleep [Infographic]
My Top 4 Hacks for the Best Sleep Ever
Yin Yoga Principles
- Gradually allow the body to open up. Do not throw yourself into a posture.
- Come into the pose at a depth that is appropriate for you.
- Remain still and focus on breathing without restriction.
- Hold the pose for time.
Use props such as cushions, bolsters, blocks as much as you need to. This will allow you to stay in the posture for longer. It will also allow the yin pose to affect the health of deeper organs such as the fascia, bones, joints and organs rather than the muscles which is the goal.
