Yoga before bed can be some of your best defense against insomnia. By calming down your body and your mind, you're putting yourself in a better position for sweet and restful slumber. Ready to get to bed? This yoga sequence will save the day.
— Additional reporting by Jenny Sugar
Start off your bedtime practice by cooling off in Balasana:
Learn about a variation of Child's Pose here.
Standing Forward Bend will feel like all the stress is pouring out of the top of your head:
Here's a deeper explanation of Standing Forward Bend.
Wide-Legged Forward Bend C is another relaxing pose that will loosen up your shoulders and help you destress before bed:
Here are more details on how to do Wide-Legged Forward Bend C.
The introspective Butterfly Pose gives your hips some love:
Check out these details on how to do Butterfly Pose.
Seated Straddle is an active pose, but it will also prep your body for sleep:
Read here for a variation that targets one hamstring at a time.
Head to Knee Pose A gives your sides an amazing stretch. This is my favorite pose to practice before bed:
Check out these tips on how to get more out of Head to Knee Pose A.
Bridge Pose is an ideal inversion to try out before bed:
If you want more details on how to do Bridge Pose, keep reading.
Legs Up the Wall will instill a sense of calmness in your whole body, and it will also relieve aches and pains from a sore lower back or tight hamstrings:
Learn more about Legs Up the Wall here.
Right before taking a rest, increase side-to-side spinal flexibility with this reclined twist:
Take rest in Corpse Pose before climbing into bed:
Having trouble relaxing? Here are four tips for sinking into Corpse Pose.