Yoga is known as a powerful mood influencer. The right yoga routine can relax you when your mind is racing and you're having a stressful day. Some sleep specialists even suggest striking one of these poses to calm yourself down when you can't get to sleep at night. Whatever the issue, whatever the time of day, try these relaxing yoga moves to smooth out a troubled mind and spirit.
Calming Move: Child's Pose. This pose is so wonderfully relaxing that it's often used as a resting pose in yoga class. And it's so simple, even a child can do it.
Strike the Pose: Kneel on your mat, with your tush resting on your heels. Slowly lower your upper body until it rests on your thighs. Breathe deeply. You can do child's pose a number of ways. Try it with your knees together, and also with your knees spread apart to almost the width of your mat (I love this version). You can reach forward with your arms for a nice shoulder stretch, or place them on the mat alongside your body. If your head doesn't rest comfortably on the floor, place a blanket or a yoga block under it so that you're completely comfortable. Hold the pose 10 breaths or more.
Calming Move: Forward Bend. Backbends create energy, and forward bends chill you out. You can do a standing forward bend, dangling your arms toward your toes, or grasping the alternate elbow with each hand. But for ultimate relaxation, I like to do my forward bend sitting down.
Strike the Pose: Sit on your mat with your legs straight in front of you. Shift the weight of your tush so you're sitting directly on your butt-bones. Slowly bend forward, reaching your arms along your legs. Don't worry how far they reach. Some people can grab their calves; other people can grab their toes. Doesn't matter; the point is to stretch your body luxuriously. Once you've achieved the best stretch for you, you can lower your head toward the mat, placing a blanket below it for comfort if needed. Hold the pose 10 breaths or more.
Calming Move: Legs Up the Wall. All inversions – headstands, handstands, and the like – increase the blood supply to your brain. A Gentle inversion like this one can be very relaxing.
Strike the Pose: Lie on your mat with your tush against the wall. Raise your legs, feet together, against the wall so that your body makes a letter L. You can put your arms straight out to the sides, or you may find it more restful to put them closer to your sides, either palms-up or palms-down. Relax into the pose as you allow the wall to support your legs. Hold the pose 10 breaths or more.
These three poses can create a simple yoga routine that's simple to do at home.