Yoga Teacher Training Forum

Most people look at yoga for its many benefits. But, very few people are able to list all the benefits of yoga. They might be able to list the physical improvements that can be gained such is increased limberness and flexibility. They can also mention the mental health benefits such as reduced stress levels. However, they often are unaware of many ancillary benefits that yoga is able to provide. Case in point, yoga can actually help you reverse problems associated with insomnia. Yes, you read that correctly - yoga can actually help you improve your ability to get a good night's sleep.

How is this possible? There are a number of reasons why yoga has the potential to improve your ability to sleep. As previously mentioned, the ability for yoga to calm your mind and reduce stress levels would have a significant impact in terms of eliminating the inability to fall asleep. This really should not come as a surprise. When you are stressed out and dealing with a great deal of anxiety, it is not exactly easy to fall asleep. When you regularly perform yoga during the day, you can disperse and eliminate much of the stress that may be keeping you awake at night.

You can actually slip into a meditative state as you are lying in bed. You would not exactly be in a yoga stretching posture but you could mimic the breathing patterns associated with yoga. It is also possible to empty out the mind and calm down. This can eliminate much of the anxiety you deal with and allow you to doze off. Again, yoga greatly combats stress and when you reduce stress levels you boost your potential to get a reliable amount of sleep.

Physical pain can also reduce one's ability to get a decent night's rest. How can you doze off when you have to contend with serious aches and pains? Honestly, it is really difficult but if you are regularly performing yoga, you will find that the gentle stretching can help nullify a great many of those aches. That means you can enjoy a more blissful and peaceful night's rest.

A rapid heart rate has a tendency to keep you a little revved well into the evening. There can be many reasons why your heart rate could be a little faster than normal. Often, it has to do with the physical activities you perform during the day. That said, when you take part in yoga exercises, you will discover that you can keep your respiration under control. By keeping your heart rate under control, you will discover that it is possible to fall asleep quicker and easier.

And yoga can allow you to remain asleep. The calmness and tranquility that yoga delivers can aid in helping you sleep because you will not have to suffer any disruptions thanks to the calmness yoga delivers.

Yes, yoga does have many extra benefits that most people are unaware of. The ability to reverse problems with insomnia is one of them. If you are currently experiencing trouble sleeping, yoga may prove to be helpful.

Yoga Postures You Can Practice While You Sleep

Several standard poses are effective for relaxation before, and comfort during sleep. If you need help with insomnia, apnea, anxiety, or restlessness at bedtime, there are a few Asana and similar body configurations which greatly help.

The first, is a Balasana pose sometimes known as “waking child,” “or dawning child.” It is a close cousin to the universal fetal position. With your knees tucked to your chest and one side of your head on a firm pillow, let your arms lay out near the feet, or crossed holding your shoulders beneath you.

This is a pose of comfort, anti-anxiety and security. The back should be toward the ceiling and your hips should remain higher than your head. As the muscles in your core contract they will force deep exhalation, which is vital for lowering metabolic levels and inducing sleep.

Two Asanas for Insomnia

Two other yoga poses that can be practiced on different nights, successively, or in concert are Twisting Buddha and Corpse. Modifications can be practiced if there is any physical duress.

With knees together and feet tucked to the buttocks, gently swing both legs to one side. Hold your arms flat and perpendicular to the body and relax. Instead of one palm up and the other facing down, try only to let your hands settle freely. This should create a twist and reflex in the lower back and hips. A “popping” of vertebrae may be experienced. Try the Twisting Buddha to both sides and settle on the most comfortable for sleeping.

Lastly, the Corpse should be practiced with a thin, firm pillow. Either remain completely motionless with your arms at the sides and legs together and straight, or stretch you arms above your head, parallel with the lying surface. An effective modification that is great for sleeping is to cross your legs like a Buddha sitting position. This will align your back and facilitate extremely deep, slow breathing. Whichever form of the Corpse you choose, concentrate on emptying the mind and torso of all images and busy speech from the preceding day.

Pranayama practice integrated to sleeping patterns does not happen automatically. One must resolve to want their body to experience lightness and deep sleep before these practices exert a truly positive impact. Remember pain should never be forced on a body while it is resting and repairing. Slight modifications to accompany individual physiology are perfectly acceptable, as long as, the spirit finds comfort and relaxation during the restful state.