Everyone, everywhere, talks about doing yoga early in the morning. “Get up earlier and start with the sunrise.” “Boost your productivity!” “Set the tone for your day!” How many times have we all heard this
What about practicing before or after work? Do they exist? There are actually a lot!
You can reap the rewards of your morning practice by using it to benefit others (work, family members, friends, neighbors, or general interactions in town). At night, however, you can enjoy the benefits and use them as you restore your body and mind during the most crucial part of your recovery–during your sleep.
Here are some more reasons to practice yoga at night.
You will sleep deeper and more replenishing
You can use the relaxation effects of any practice to help you relax and fall asleep at night. Yoga activates the parasympathetic system, which is responsible for the “rest and digestion” function (it’s the opposite of the “fight or flee” response).
It begins the process of relaxation required for adequate rest a bit earlier. This reduces the likelihood that you will be awake and thinking and waking frequently.
Undress the Stress
Take the stress literally. Yoga before bedtime is a great way to remove stress both physically and metaphorically. This is an energetic hygiene technique that most bodyworkers are familiar with.
Energetic hygiene is a way to shed unwanted or unpleasant aspects of your day or interaction off of yourself. For example, you could shower when you arrive home after work or shake your hands dramatically after a stressful experience. Yoga before bedtime is a relaxing and peaceful way to let go of the stress of the day and start focusing only on yourself.
Relax and relieve tension, aches, and pains
Stretching before bed will help you avoid any crunchiness that joint pains or injuries may cause. These injuries can affect your sleep, making you feel groggy and affecting your performance the next morning. It is best to get all oxygenated before going to bed and release muscle tension. This will ensure that your aches and pains don’t interfere with sleep.
Avoid mind chatter
We all know the tendency to repeat one thought before going to bed. You can calm your mind by opening up your body and softening your breathing.
Enjoy Smaller, More Intimate Yoga Classes
A big advantage of doing yoga at night in a studio is that the class sizes are smaller. This makes it easier to concentrate, and you’ll get more attention and care from your instructor.
You will probably be happy to have fewer people in your life if you are an introvert. If you’re an extrovert like me, more time spent with your instructor is a great way to make your day. Win-win!
It is important to improve your sleep quality because it will reduce the stress on your body and boost your immunity.
Yoga isn’t just for the morning. A nighttime practice can be a great way to end your days, get a deeper sleep, and improve your life in general!