Whether you spend each day at a desk or on your feet, your commute is a quick walk or a long drive, you did a 20-minute HIIT workout or an hour of Pilates, your body gets put through its paces on a daily basis. So, it’s important to give yourself some downtime and, of course, ample hours of rest. Good news: This bedtime yoga routine can lead you straight from Savasana into a more restful slumber.
“Stretching before bed not only relaxes you, it also keeps your muscles flexible so you’re less likely to experience discomfort during everyday activities,” says Sarah Larson Levey, registered yoga instructor and co-founder of Y7 Studio.
Plus, doing a few relaxing yoga poses before you hit the hay can greatly impact and benefit the rest your body gets throughout the night, which is arguably the best perk of a bedtime yoga routine. “It allows you to release some of the tension you’ve built up during the day so you can prepare both your body and mind for a good night’s sleep,” says Levey.
For a better rest, try this bedtime yoga routine created by Levey and Kay Kay Clivio, lead teacher trainer at Pure Yoga in New York City. Pro tip: To make the most out of each pose, breathe in and out through your nose. It has a calming effect on the nervous system. (See also: 7 Bedtime Stretches That Will Help You Fully Decompress)
