Yoga for Better Sleep

Getting enough quality sleep is crucial to health and wellbeing.  Most health professionals recommend getting 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night for optimal health and increase longevity.  But studies show that 35% of Americans do not sleep well.

We live in a fast paced seemingly ceaseless moving society.  Some people even wear their sleep deprivation on their sleeve as a badge of honor.  But not getting enough sleep or poor quality of sleep can lead to weight gain, low energy, bad moods, decrease cardiovascular health and decrease cognitive function.

---

Stress and Fatigue

There are two common types of sleep problems.  The first one is difficulty falling asleep.  This form of sleep issue is driven mostly by stress. Our mind is so active that we can not quieten it enough to fall asleep. 

The other common type of sleep problem is trouble sleeping through the night.  This form of sleep issue is driven by deep fatigue.  The body is so tired, restless, and depleted that it does not have the energy needed to soothe the nervous system enough to sleep through the night.

---

Yoga Can Help

Yogic techniques like postures, breathing techniques, and meditation can address both types of sleeplessness.  Yoga activates the relaxation response from our parasympathetic nervous system by calming the mind, restoring the body, soothing and balancing the nervous system.  This allows the body to relax and sleep. Yoga helps us transition from a busy day to a night of peaceful sleep.

---

Bedtime Ritual

In addition to yoga techniques, creating a bedtime ritual can go a long way in promoting healthy sleep.  Here are some suggestions to help create your own bedtime ritual and align your inner rhythm with nature’s rhythm:

• Have a light and early dinner
• Mind your diet - reduce intake of caffeine, alcohol, and sugar.
• Create a wind down time - decrease stimuli (TV, internet, exercise, video games, etc) at least an hour before  bedtime to allow the body-mind to slow down and relax.
• Start your bedtime ritual between 8pm -10pm
• Create a peaceful setting to promote sleep- Light candles, take a warm bath/shower, play soothing music, put on Pajamas, remove the TV and computer from the bedroom, make the bedroom dark and a comfortable temperature. Remember to put the candles out before bed or use candles with timers.
• Practice slow, deep breathing. See this week's practice videos - Yoga for Better Sleep and Breathe Into Relaxation.
• Yogic postures and/or meditation.
• Go to bed at the same time every night.
• Be in bed by 10pm-we tend to get a second wind at 10 pm.  
• In the morning, do not linger in bed.  Get out of bed as soon as your eyes naturally open - even if its 5:30 am.
• Repeat - Make it a new way of being.

---

Practice

This week's yoga practice is designed to promote better sleep.  Each pose, the breathing technique, and meditation was selected for its individual ability to trigger the body-mind's relaxation response and for the collective effect on the nervous system.  This week's practice includes:

• Same Vriti (Equal Breath)
• Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby Pose)
• Supta Padagustasana (Reclining Big Toe Pose)
• Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose)
• Vparita Karani (Legs Up The Wall Pose)
• Savasana (Relaxation Pose)
• Seated Meditation