Yoga is beneficial for many areas of our health, including sleep. People who regularly practice yoga often report a better sleep.

Practicing yoga before bedtime can help you to:

– Relax

– Burn excess energy

– Loosen up tight muscles

– Improve insomnia

– Encourage your body into a deep sleep

If you have never tried yoga before, don’t worry! You don’t need to be super athletic or flexible to give yoga a go. Most yoga studios have beginners’ classes available.

There are many specialised yoga studios around Australia. Ask your local gym if they offer yoga classes or if they can recommend someone who does. If you would prefer to practice yoga in your own home, YouTube has lots of free yoga tutorials available online.

If you are doing yoga at home, invest in a yoga mat or make sure to lay on carpet/another padded surface. It is recommended to practice yoga somewhere other than your bedroom – it is best to reserve the bedroom for sleep only. You can use supportive props such as pillows, blankets, or yoga blocks to provide extra comfort.

Remember that breathing is very important in yoga. Your breath helps you relax into poses.

There are 11 major forms of yoga. If you are wanting to practice yoga close to bedtime, do not perform energising yoga such as ‘vigorous vinyasa flow’ . Instead, opt for a more relaxing style of yoga. ‘Yoga Nidra’ is one of the best for pre-sleep. Yoga Nidra promotes rest and relaxation through meditation. It is designed to help decrease anxiety and increase calm feelings. It can help you fall asleep more quickly and encourage a more restorative sleep state.

As little as 10 minutes of yoga per day can help you begin to see positive changes in both your mind and body. Consistency is key – doing yoga regularly is ideal for optimal changes in sleep.