1. About.com
  2. Health
  3. Yoga

Discuss in my forum

Yoga for a Better Night's Sleep

Yoga for Insomnia

By , About.com Guide

Updated January 21, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Corpse Pose - Savasana

Corpse Pose - Savasana

© Barry Stone
If you have a hard time getting to sleep at night, incorporating yoga into your life can help, especially if your insomnia is stress-related.

Exercising regularly may help you sleep better at night. Vigorous yoga, such as power yoga or Ashtanga, done at least three times a week is a good choice. Avoid intense exercise right before you go to bed by doing your practice earlier in the day.

Three-part breath is very helpful for clearing the mind of the day's clutter. Use this simple exercise to prepare your body for sleep.

Before going to bed, you can do a few gentle stretches to relieve tension and help you relax. Happy baby is a good choice because it releases the low back and hips, leaving you feeling looser and more relaxed. Goddess pose, which opens the groins, is another option. You can do both these poses while lying in bed.

Corpse pose ends every yoga class, and it's a good way to end your day too. Lying in bed, focus on each part of your body and soften it before moving on. Begin with the toes, move up the legs and arms, through the torso to the neck, face and head. Then spend a few minutes just breathing. If you find your mind wandering during this time, don't engage in your thoughts; instead, bring your attention back to your breath. This helps create a break from your active mind and allows you to relax for sleep. Good night!

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved. 

A part of The New York Times Company.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.