Each person needs to choose the time of day that works best for practicing yoga. For some, this time is morning, but others prefer to practice before bed at night. There are several benefits to practicing yoga late in the day.
Practicing yoga before bed prepares the body for sleep. The mind and body are working every minute of the day. When bedtime approaches, it is beneficial to release the stress and tension from the body, relax the mind and enjoy a quiet yoga practice before turning in for the night.
If you experience bouts of insomnia, yoga offers an excellent natural remedy. Studies have shown practicing yoga before bed at night is helpful for improving insomnia without the use of drugs. The combination of asana and pranayama relaxes the body and mind, allowing you to enjoy deeper, restorative sleep.
Often, we have trouble falling asleep because the mind is still going, long after we’ve crawled into bed. A relaxed session of yoga helps to calm the body, mind and spirit. This helps to quiet the constant thought patterns that can rob you of sleep. Combine yoga with a short meditation practice to enhance this benefit.
Yoga DVDs are available that have been designed especially for ending your day with yoga. The practice is generally slower and less intense than many typical yoga DVD practices. Inversions, twists and relaxation poses are combined to release tension, relax the body, improve circulation and sleep easily.
Be mindful of the environment in which you practice to help induce sleep. Create a restful space with low light, quiet music and comfortable clothing or pajama pants and a tank. Light some candles, if desired, to create a soothing environment for your practice.
Pay attention to the end of your practice. When rushing through a practice, it’s easy to shorten the relaxation component at the end of your practice. While this is never a good idea, this portion of the practice is especially beneficial when you are trying to unwind before bed. Spend a few extra moments relaxing in corpse pose.