Science has proven there are benefits from practicing yoga and deep breathing. From stress relief, balance building, increased flexibility, and an exercise that is easy on the joints, yoga is a great physical activity which is accessible to everyone. But did you know that even a short sequence of yoga postures with conscious breathing can improve the quality of your sleep? In this age of chronic sleep deprivation, it’s more important than ever to have tools to improve the quality of your sleep.

Polly Liontis, Yoga Instructor and Certified by the Himalayan Institute and a Licensed Massage Therapist/LMT, shares the top benefits of practicing yoga before bed:

• Increases blood flow
• Relaxes the muscles by releasing muscle tension from the workday
• Takes the body out of the “fight-or -flight” stress response (De-stresses you!)
• Yoga poses with deep breathing and meditation help us to practice mindfulness instead of poor late-night habits such as snacking or mindless phone usage
• 2:1 breathing naturally slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure and induces a deep state of relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep
• Deep, diaphragmatic breathing rids the body of toxins stored in the tissues

Practicing 15 minutes of yoga a day has many health benefits! Especially when you use a relaxing sequence before bed, allowing for your body to unwind and reset.

For a bedtime yoga sequence, follow Polly’s wind down routine.