In addition to the physical benefits of yoga, it has plenty of mental benefits as well. Certain poses can help energize you and others can help relax you. While I wouldn't recommend a full yoga practice just before bed, doing a few of these gentle, restorative poses before going to sleep can help you rest easier. You can do most of these poses in your bedroom while wearing your pajamas. You might want to have a mat under you for comfort. To facilitate your voyage to dream land, turn off the TV and dim the lights. Before beginning, come to a comfortable seated position on your mat and close your eyes. Start breathing in and out through your nose, in long, even breaths. After 10 breaths, open your eyes and begin these poses. You can hold each one for as long as you'd like, at least five breaths. ![]() Child’s pose (Balasana): Benefits: Stretches hips, thighs and ankles gently; can help alleviate back pain. How to: You have two options to start: For a deeper stretch: TIP: Roll your forehead back and forth across the mat with your arms along your sides to help alleviate sinus congestion. ![]() Downward-facing dog (Adho Mukha svanasana): Benefits: Calms and energizes the body; stretches the shoulders, arches, hamstrings, calves, and hands; strengthens arms and legs; helps insomnia and stress. How to: ![]() TIP: If your arms need some help in this pose, try placing your hands on the seat of a chair set against a wall. ![]() Head to knee stretch (Janu sirsasana A): Benefits: Stretches the hamstrings. How to: TIP: If your knee can't rest comfortably on the floor, roll up a towel to support the bent knee. ![]() Seated forward fold (Paschimottanasana): Benefits: Stretches the spine and the hamstrings. How to: TIP: Can't reach your toes? Wrap a towel around your feet and grab either end with your hands to improvise a yoga strap. If your hamstrings are tight, you can bend your legs. ![]() Legs up the wall (Viparita Karani): Benefits: Stretches the hamstrings gently, allows blood that has accumulated in the feet and legs to re-circulate in the body. Offers a gentle release for the low back. How to: TIP: This pose is great for anyone who works on their feet. Spend a few minutes in this pose (you can even do this in bed) each night to give your legs a break. Remember this one--it's also great after a long day of holiday shopping! Have you tried any of these poses? Will you? Which one is your favorite?
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More health care practitioners are starting to include yogic techniques in their approach to healing — andmore yoga teachers
give a therapeutic intention to their teaching. People who have never tried yoga before are starting to consider including Yoga in their treatment plan.
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As science begins to document the importance of understanding the interrelation of all existing things, it looks to Yoga with
an intrigued eye, for Yoga speaks Unity in every word. As yoga techniques are researched and new data is gathered,it becomes
easier for science and the medical establishment to understand and accept the benefits of Yoga Therapy. Yet there is still not one consensual definition of the discipline.
In order to arrive to an adequate definition and to come up with proper standards for benefits of yoga Therapy, it is crucial at this early stage to properly address some delicate professional and ethical issues. At the same time it is important to educate the general public about benefits of yoga Therapy’s benefits and careful use. so this article was really helpful to me.. Report
I absolutely love it ... I have learned how to breath better ... my flexibility, balance, strength has greatly improved ...and it helps a great deal with my sciatica ...I too get a lot of tightness from running and spinning ... it has helped with that as well .... I have even learned how to completely let go of everything and just relax ... not for long periods but long enough to feel at peace ... every practice is a challenge and I love that ...
I recommend practicing yoga to everyone I know .. Anyone can practice yoga ...
Shanti ..... to all ...:)
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