Yoga for Sleep

Although a full mattress that's comfortable and supportive will help a person to sleep better, there are other ways to enhance further sleep. For instance, yoga has the potential to relieve insomnia naturally. It's an excellent way to manage stress to help a person get a better, more restful sleep.

Why Yoga Helps

Yoga has the ability to reduce stress, which is oftentimes a cause of insomnia. It calms the mind and relieves tension. It has the potential to boost self-esteem and make a person feel better overall. All of these can lead to a person being in a better state of mind and being able to go to sleep and stay asleep easier.

Best Yoga Postures for Better Sleep

The Child's Pose, also known as balasana, consists of a person's torso being over a person's legs. Arms should be on the side or extended. In this pose, a person's forehead should touch the ground. To further extenuate the relaxation properties, a person should give him or herself a forehead massage, by massaging from left to right at the end of the brows.

Plow Pose

The Plow Pose, sometimes called halasana, is recommended by Yoga Journal to make it easier for a person to fall asleep. It starts with the individual lying on his or her back. Next, he or she should lift his or her legs over his or her head. He or she can put his or her hands on his or her back for support. 

He or she may also opt to just rest them on the floor. The tips of the person's toes should touch the ground. This pose should be held between one to five minutes. This pose will alter the way the blood is flowing. Therefore, it gives the body vitality and just makes a person feel better overall.

Legs Up the Wall Pose

The Legs Up the Wall Pose, called viparita karani, is a simple pose with plenty of benefits. Because the blood runs back to the heart in this pose, it's soothing. This position requires a person to lay down on the floor close to the wall. 

He or she puts his or her feet up the wall with his or her buttocks still on the floor. The person should be in a 90-degree angle. The person needs to stay in the position for up to five minutes for optimal results.