Your Body Yoga: A natural sleep remedy I
f anyone had told us as children -arguing about our early bedtimes, (or was that just me?!) - that a full night of good-quality sleep may be one of things we most crave as adults I’m not sure we would have believed them! Sleep is so essential for our health and wellbeing, as well as playing a crucial role in our cognitive processing and memory consolidation. Our physical body needs rest and the time to replenish on a cellular level. Sleep deprivation is considered torture for a reason- it is simply a non-negotiable part of being human. So why then do so many of us currently struggle to settle down to sleep, and what can we do to help ourselves? The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to many experiencing increased levels of stress and anxiety amongst all the uncertainty; those whose livelihoods have been significantly impacted face financial concerns, and the repeat national lockdowns left many of us feeling isolated and cut-off from our friends and family. Well, the good news is that Yoga can help! Yoga is so much more than just stretching: it is the union of the mind, body and breath, and can have a beautifully soothing effect on our nervous system. It can take us out of our “fight, flight or freeze” sympathetic nervous system mode, and transport us to our “rest and digest” parasympathetic state, ultimately reducing our heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormone levels, among other physiological benefits. It can help us to turn down the volume of our often-relentless internal monologue, otherwise known as the “monkey mind”, creating space in the mind, balancing emotions, and relieving tension in the body. The more we practice relaxation on our yoga mats, the easier it can become to relax when we really need to, such as going to bed to prepare for sleep.
As if all these benefits of Yoga aren’t enough, did you know that there is also a style of yogic sleep? Known as Yoga Nidra, it is a practice of deep, guided meditation connecting you to the 5 layers of the body (Pancha Kosha): our physical, energetic, mental, intellectual and bliss bodies. Unlike other styles of yoga involving movement, Yoga Nidra is done with students lying down for the entire practice- perfect for those needing more rest! Additionally, 1 hour of Yoga Nidra has been proven to be as restful and effective of 4 hours of normal sleep, due to theta and delta brainwave activation. What are you waiting for? If you’re new to yoga/nidra you can try a variety of online classes for free on the VetYogi YouTube channel. From soothing Yin yoga, to balancing Hatha and energising Vinyasa, the classes range from just 5 minutes to 60 minutes so there is something to suit everybody! However, if you have any physical or mental health conditions it is always best to consult your doctor first. Stay safe, and sleep well!
Dr. Chloe Hannigan BVetMed MRCVS Chloe is a RYT-500 qualified yoga and meditation teacher, is registered with Yoga Alliance Professionals and splits her time between teaching yoga classes, speaking at conferences, and working as a vet. She also runs her business, VetYogi, with the more inclusive branch VY Tribe offering a range of yoga props, clothing and home fragrance items. 22
Roots of Life Wellness Magazine www.therootsoflife.co.uk
