Kundalini Sleep Solution

It has been a tough year for most of us, bringing anxiety and stress into our daily lives. Our disrupted routines directly worsen the effects on our sleep patterns. Making something as natural as falling asleep an emerging causality of the crisis/pandemic. If acute insomnia is left untreated implications can be dire and may lead to chronic insomnia. According to the Harvard Gazette insomnia causes a spectrum of serious health problems including cognitive consequences from inability to focus to general irritability, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and contributing to obesity. Studies also link it to increased risk of depression, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Thus making us recognise the vital role sleep plays in our well-being.

Kundalini yoga offered by online kundalini yoga classes is one such solution to unwind after a long day of work. Holding a few poses before going to bed has proven to improve the effects on sleep.  Bolsters and blankets, can be used to make poses comfortable and easy to hold for a longer duration.

Starting with a few poses:

First lay flat with your legs stretched and straightened. Lift your left arm at ninety degrees, followed by lifting your left leg at ninety degrees as well. Hold this pose while you lower and raise your head, this is called “hammering the head”.

Next, still lying down, place both your hands under your back for support and lift both legs up. Criss-cross them over each other for two minutes as fast as you can. 

Then continue to lay flat.

Raise your left leg to ninety degrees and keep both arms relaxed at your sides. Bring your right leg to ninety degrees as well. Stretch your left leg to touch the ground behind your head. Then lower both your legs to lay flat again. Continue this movement for two minutes. Repeat this same movement for the right leg as well for two minutes.

You can also chant Bandhana Kriya from the Praana Praanee Pranayam Manual in Gurmuki for a few minutes before bed. This is usually done for a half hour but can be done for 3-31 minutes before bed.

Take your hands and join them together. Make sure that your fingers perfectly line up and press your hands together. Bring it to the centre of your chest – inhale, hold your breath and chant “Wahe guru“ 8 times. Exhale, hold your breath and chant “Wahe guru” 8 times.

These simple changes will prepare your body before sleeping and help nip insomnia in the bud.