I hope a number of you have experienced how wonderfully relaxing yoga can be and when coupled with meditation, it really is a superb way to relieve stress from your life. However I have come across something that should be great news to a lot of people: bedtime yoga. Yes it is yoga before bed, and I really can’t understand why I haven’t been doing this for a long time now. Yoga is one of the ideal ways to relax for me and it really does make sense that doing yoga before bed will really produce sound sleep. After some research and a number of trial nights, I am happy to share with you my favorite yoga positions to do before going to bed.

Upside-down relaxation – I honestly did not know this was a yoga position until I read about it, I used to do this as a kid when I would be lost in my thoughts and I am happy to share it with you today. Simply find the wall adjacent to your bed, now lay back on your bed and legs straight on the wall, almost as if you are sitting on the wall itself. Keep your hands on your sides and simply breathe normally, and let your body relieve stress naturally. Among the positions for yoga before bed, this one really takes me back to my childhood and allows me to relax a whole lot quicker, hopefully it will have the same effect for you.

Winding down twist, one of the easiest yet relaxing yoga poses you can do before going to bed.

Winding down twist – This is a nice yoga before bed position, you can really rest up and find the weariness of the day wash away with this stance. Start seated on your bed, then cross both your legs, I believe this was once called an Indian sit. Now gently place your right hand on your left knee, while carefully twisting your entire body. Allow your head to twist along with your body and face towards the left side. Hold and breathe for a few seconds, release and repeat with the right side, this should really relax you just before you hit the hay.

Rock-a-bye roll – By far, this is one of my favorite yoga before bed poses since it is just so relaxing. To start this lie on your back and then hug your knees as tight as you can, against your chest. Cross your ankles and hold your shins with clasped hands, inhale and exhale, rocking your body back and forth. This will really relax you and you can feel your body relieve stress slowly, as you can feel your eyes droop, the rocking is super calming and is a wonderful way to drift off to dreamland.

Butterfly pose – For this yoga before bed position, start with sitting down and now put the bottom of your feet together and bend your knees, it’s almost like crossing your legs. Now sit up straight and slowly bend towards your feet, use your hands to spread your feet apart, almost as if you are reading a book, couple that with your elbows pushing down slowly on your knees as far as you can. Hold and breathe, release and repeat until you are ready for bed. I can feel myself relax a little more and how I can relieve my stress even more with a nice cup of tea an hour or two before bed.

Seated straddle – Once more sit on the bed for this yoga before bed exercise, now spread your legs as far as you can, make sure your toes are all pointing up. When ready, reach for your big toes and grab on, allow your body to slightly bend forward and hold the position for a few breathes, then release and repeat. This position will relax you just before you say hello to Mr. Sandman, and it is a nice way to limber up from the rest of the day, it feels as though you are wiping the fatigue away and can relieve stress with each breathe you hold in the position.

Bridge pose – This yoga before bed position is a little difficult however oh so pleasing if done correctly. Stay lying down, with your knees pointing upwards and your feet as close to your buttocks as possible, hold this position, as you get ready to move. Breathe and gently arc your hip upward, using your lower body, use your elbows to firmly plant its place beneath you and your palms at the edge of your lower back as support, let your neck bend and allow your chin to touch your chest. Hold the position for a few breathes and release, repeat as much as you need in order to relieve stress and get to your relaxed state.

Doing yoga before bed is also important for your blood circulation. Try this child’s pose for a good, relaxing stretch.

Child’s pose – For the yoga before bed positions, this is a very basic one but an oh so relaxing one at that. Sit down on your bed with both knees tucked under you and gently roll over, keeping your chest as close to your knees as possible while still being comfortable, and keep your arms stretched out above your head. Hold the position and breathe, allow the yoga pose to relieve stress and bring you to a more relaxed state.

Lying spinal twist – Now we are really talking a great way to relax with this yoga before bed position, you will simply love how this will relieve stress in almost an instant. Lie on your back with your knees facing upwards and keep your feet a little close to your buttocks again. Now gently swing both your legs to the left while twisting your upper body to the right, keep both your hands stretched out to the side with your palms flat on the bed. Hold for a few breathes as per usual and slowly switch sides. If that doesn’t get you ready for bed I’m not entirely sure what else can.

Savasana – Now that’s a mouthful, however this is also known as corpse pose, yikes but ironically sounds very restful and you’ll know why once you try it. Simply lay on the bed, on your back and close your eyes, keep your feet apart but not too wide, your hands on your sides with palms facing upward in order to really get to a relaxed state. Breath in for a few breathes and really let your body relax. This is by far one of the simplest yoga before bed poses there is and yet it can really get your body to work against the fatigue and relieve stress just before you end up drifting to sleep.

Now there you have it, some of my favorite yoga before bed positions and there are so many more out there, feel free to keep trying and tailor fit which one is best for you and your body to relieve stress. Relax, that is the best way to get to bed and get to the dreams you so rightfully deserve. Stay healthy!