Yoga and sleep are closely linked to the ability to relax. To sleep well, it's important to be able to shift from a state of activity into a state of rest.
During yoga practice we gently stretch and relax the muscles, and through calm breathing we lower the arousal of the nervous system and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, linked to rest and recovery.
But yoga is not just stretching. We learn to release the body from unnecessary tension and to bring attention from activity into stillness.
At the end of class we do Savasana — the pose of complete relaxation. This is not just rest after the exercises, but an important skill that can be learned.
Try it at home: lie on your back, close your eyes and relax the different parts of the body in turn — feet, legs, belly, shoulders, arms, face. Then simply watch the breath without changing it. Stay like this for a few minutes.
Regular practice of this kind of relaxation can help you unwind more easily in the evening, improve the quality of your sleep and recover after a demanding day.
