Good sleep depends largely on the ability to relax. To sleep well, you need to be able to shift from a state of activity into a state of rest.
How yoga helps
During yoga practice we gently stretch and relax the muscles. Calm breathing reduces the arousal of the nervous system and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and recovery.
But yoga is more than stretching. We learn to free the body from unnecessary tension and to move our attention from activity into stillness.
Savasana: relaxation as a skill
At the end of each class we do Savasana, the pose of complete relaxation. It is not just a rest after the exercises, but an important skill that can be learned.
Try it at home
Lie on your back and close your eyes. Relax each part of the body in turn: feet, legs, belly, shoulders, arms, face. Then simply watch your breath without changing it. Stay like this for a few minutes.
Practised regularly, this kind of relaxation can help you unwind more easily in the evening, sleep better and recover after a demanding day.
Read also: How to help the body relax after a demanding day
