In the words of Katherine Budig, famed yoga instructor, “Yoga puts you in sync with your breathing, which stimulates the parasympathetic system and signals relaxation.” Consider a few simple asanas recommended for performing before bed. Simply tilting the body forward helps to unload the mind and body. This asana not only releases tension in the knee joints, hips and calves, but gives rest to the body from being constantly upright. If you have stomach discomfort at night, try the Lying Twisting practice. This posture helps relieve bloating and gas, improves blood circulation, and relieves tension in the neck and back. A powerful, chakra-clearing posture after a long, stressful day. According to Yogini Budig, Supta Baddha Konasana is great at developing hip flexibility. This asana is both an activating and restorative posture. Supta padangushthasana helps to relax the mind and relieve tension in the legs, hips, while increasing awareness. For beginners, to perform this asana, you will need a belt to fix the retracted leg (in case you cannot reach it with your hand). The final asana of any yogic practice is Savasana, also known as everyone’s favorite pose of absolute relaxation. During shavasana, you restore even breathing, feel harmony with the body, and release accumulated stress. Try practicing this simple set of five asanas 15 minutes before going to bed. As in any business, regularity and full involvement in the process are important here.
2022-11-11