Good sleep & Yoga admin on 16 Dec 2006 06:32 am
Good sleep - day four
Breathing techniques and movements to induce relaxation
Tension which has built up through out the day can lock up your upper body – shoulders, neck and head. When your neck and shoulder muscles are tight, you cannot fall asleep easily as relaxed muscles are essential for this. Practice these simple relaxation techniques to help you sleep peacefully.
Caution: Those with cervical problems should avoid Exercise 3.

Exercise 1
• Sit with your legs stretched out, and keep your back straight. Bend one leg; place the ankle on the opposite thigh close to the groin. Bend the other leg and place the ankle on the thigh of the bent leg, close to the groin
• Interlock your fingers at chest level, with the palms facing towards you, and keep elbows at same level
• Inhale deeply as you turn palms out and slowly stretch your arms out in front
• Exhale through the mouth as you turn palms in and slowly bring palms back to the starting position
• Repeat five times.

Exercise 2
• Repeat steps one and two of the first exercise
• Inhale deeply as you turn palms out and slowly stretch your arms, shoulders and chest upwards
• Exhale through the mouth as you turn palms in, and slowly bring the palms back to the starting position
• Repeat five times.

Exercise 3
• Repeat step one of the first exercise
• Place your hands on your knees
• Slowly move the head as far back as comfortable. Do not strain
• Slowly bring the head up and move it forward so that the chin touches the chest
• Repeat five to 10 times.

Exercise 4
• Sit back on your heels
• Place your palms on your knees
• Keep your back straight, and close your eyes
• Hold this posture for five minutes.