Hey! Got up all (well, quite) refreshed today. What happened? I was so drained yesterday. After blogging about it, I had an IDEA!
I guess this is why I started blogging. When you have to say it out loud and specific, you are forced to analyse it. The problem becomes clear and solutions become apparent. A creative exercise!
Remember the Cool-down asanas (yoga poses)? Well, I thought since yoga is calming - you become more at peace and focused - I can use this to prepare myself for proper sleep. Proper sleep? Don't we do that all the time? Sadly NO.
We sleep every night : that is to say, we close our eyes and 8 hours later we wake up.
Some of us wake up refreshed. Many of us, are still tired, even when we sleep for long hours.
Why? Usually, it's because we then to bring our work, our daily living problems, pleasurable moments, old memories to bed with us. Bedtime is the most private time You have time to yourself - that is, if you sleep alone ;) Most of the time we can sort out our priorities, our feelings, make decisions... and then we doze off, happily, contentedly and all refreshed to face another day tomorrow!
The other half of the people will toss & turn, try to count sheeps, wake up every other hour and become anxious that morning is approaching and we have not slept a wink. The more we worry, the more we can't sleep. Even if you 'log off' as soon as your head touches your pillow, your body may still be in "adrenalin ready" mode. Muscles (overworked ones) stay contracted.. noticed an involuntary clenched fist or clenched teeth lately?
So, back to my idea. It is very simple. Do a few yoga poses slowly in sequence like a dance, one pose leading into another just before you sleep.
You can check http://www.yogajournal.com/ for the poses that most suit you & beneficial for what you want to alleviate. Arrange them so that when performed, it is a continuous flow. No strain, relaxing, no sweat. You may not get the poses right at first. IMPORTANT - Read the detailed steps. DON'T just see the photo & bend your body to look like it. "Monkey see, monkey do". There are many specific steps (do's & don'ts) which you must be aware of. You can't get this by looking at the photo only & not everyone's body can reach the same flexibility as the model in the picture. It takes time. Anyway, the purpose is not to stress out trying to contort your body.
My suggestion :
Tadasana (Mountain pose) ---> Big toe pose ----> Chair pose
--> Extended side angle --> Half moon pose ----> Dancer's pose
Consider it as a graceful dance to be enjoyed, a lullaby for your tensed muscles!
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