Hi dear friend,
I'm Stephanie.
Oftentimes when I finish teaching a yoga class,
My students come up to me and they want to know why they can get into that deep relaxation at the end of class,
And yet when they get in bed at night,
Their mind seems to be wandering.
Doing yoga,
You've stopped,
You've separated yourself from your day,
And you're focused on the movements that you're making and the breath that you're taking.
And so you have taken that time to step away from other people,
Other thoughts,
Your electronics,
All those things that send those bright lights into your eyes,
Into your brain,
And you've stepped away.
And so I suggest that before you get ready for bed at night,
That you take a moment to do perhaps some of your favorite yoga poses.
And that could be something as simple as bringing your feet together,
Hands to the heart,
Standing tall,
Reaching,
Arms up to the sky in a beautiful mountain pose.
Open the chest and the lungs and breathe.
And you can do this either standing or sitting.
Maybe bringing those hands back in,
Thumbs to heart center.
And very gently,
Pause as you listen to your own breathing.
Maybe you want to then get into a wonderfully comforting child's pose with the knees tucked under,
Leaning the head forward.
You maybe want to put your feet together and let your knees come out just to help you ease into the position.
You can reach your arms forward.
You can bring the arms around by your side.
Maybe you want to bring those hands under your forehead.
But again,
Just pause.
Let yourself take a moment inside with the breathing,
With the recognition of breathing in and breathing out.
And then as you crawl into bed,
Keep your knees bent for a moment,
Your feet flat.
And let your arms come out to the sides with the palms up.
And then as you feel ready,
Let those legs extend all the way to the end of your bed.
Bring a blanket over you in case you get a little chilled.
And turn back inside once again to listen to the breathing as you completely soften and relax the muscles from head to toe.
And then allow yourself to move into a quiet,
Peaceful state.
And then allow yourself to move into a quiet,
Restful slumber.
As always,
Wishing you the best of health.
