A mind free from all disturbance is Yoga. 

- The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

If you are one of the many people whom suffer from insomnia, whether occasionally or often, Yoga can help.

Through a series of relaxing physical exercises, breathing techniques and complete relaxation, you can promote more restful and regular sleeping patterns.

Before going to bed, you can do a few gentle stretches to relieve tension and help your body relax. Happy baby is a great choice as it releases the low back and hips, leaving you feeling looser and more relaxed. Goddess pose opens the groins and is another option. The wonderful thing is that you can do both these poses while lying in bed. To help you relax as well you may want to add some forward bends such as Standing Forward Bend or Wide Legged Forward bend and a couple of Seated Forward bends and a Downward Facing Dog or two to your routine.

At the same time, breathing practices such as complete breath will allow for more oxygen in the body providing clarity in the mind.Three-part breath is very helpful for clearing the mind of the day's clutter. Use this simple exercise to prepare your body for sleep.

A wonderful way to end your practice and day is Lying in bed in Corpse Pose a Yogic relaxation technique, focus on each part of your body and soften it before moving on. Begin with the toes, move up the legs and arms, through the torso to the neck, face and head. Then spend a few minutes just breathing. If you find your mind wandering during this time, don't engage in your thoughts instead, bring your attention back to your breath. This helps create a break from your active mind and allows you to relax for sleep.

Yoga trains you to turn inward to a peaceful silence which encourages sleep. For best results Practice must be done every day for 15 to 30 minutes. Above all, you will have a more restful sleep due to the relaxing aspect of Yoga and the relieving of stress, tension and fatigue. You will also wake up refreshed every morning ready to go instead of wishing you could stay in bed.

Namaste.