Sometimes you have to actively unwind to truly rest up, and a bit of mellow yoga could be your ticket to more restful sleep. This is especially true for tennis players and other athletes, and people with sedentary jobs. Activities such as sports that include running and jumping can make the outer hips tight, and sitting for long periods of time can shorten and stiffen the front hip flexors.
Here are three poses yogi Tara Stiles recommends to relax your body and quiet your mind so you can drift off easily to the land of Nod.
- Pidgeon: opens up tight hips and relieves tension in the chest and shoulders. It stimulates the abdominal organs, which helps to regulate digestion.
- Ankle to knee: stretches the outer hips intensely, particularly the piriformis muscle (located underneath the gluteus maximus near the sciatic nerve), which is often the main culprit of sciatic pain.
- Lying spinal twist: a supported side opener, shoulder, and lower back stretch. It also stimulates the abdominal organs and helps to regulate digestion.
So put on your PJs, press play, and get ready to chill out.