Sleep Better
Hi Friends,
If I had a nickel for every student who’s apologized to me for falling asleep in savasana in one of my classes, I’d be rich!
There’s no need to apologize – I think most yoga teachers would agree that someone falling asleep in class is actually quite the compliment & proof that the yoga is doing some of its best work.
Yoga helps calm the nervous system, encourages non-attachment to overwhelming thoughts, slows down breathing & gets the wiggles out of the body: all things that make sleeping much easier.
I know I’m generalizing here, because there are many styles, breathing techniques and/or times of day that will influence a more energizing or relaxing response from your yoga practice, but any are better than none & they all prep us for better quality sleep.
When you live in chronic pain, you well know that sleep is vital to your (already compromised) ability to reset your systems.
What I’ve always felt to be a cruel joke is how difficult true, deep & restful sleep is to find with a chronic illness. In my own body, I toss & turn a lot in my sleep, which often wakes me from the pain in my joints. Then once awake, I begin to worry about the sleep I’m losing. A cycle that can continue all night & for many nights unless I’m proactive about setting myself up for sleep success.
I often feel that the biggest benefits of yoga are the fringe things, the things that happen far after rolling up the mat. Better sleep is one of them.