Yoga Pose for Better Sleep

If you are anything like me, I’m sure you’ve seen a million videos on better sleep and sleep hygiene. Well one night when my mind wouldn’t shut off, I seen a video about how putting your legs on the wall could help with insomnia, sleep and pain. Considering the number of prescriptions and supplements I take and I’m still in pain, I’m like what did I have to lose trying something different for 5 minutes since I couldn’t sleep anyway.

Having mobility issues with fibromyalgia getting on the ground wasn’t an option. My husband thought that I was crazy when he caught me midstream as I scooted over and laid sideways in the bed put my legs up on the wall, so they were at a 90-degree angle. Something that seemed so silly has now become a regular part of my day, sometimes 2 to 3 times a day.

Will doing a yoga pose help sleep apnea?

Week 1 and feeling sceptical...

I guess I’m skeptical of everything because all the things that were supposed to help in this sleep apnea journey haven’t worked for me. Skeptic and slightly pessimistic but this looked so easy in the video, so I had to try it.

I didn’t think it would be challenging or hard since the wall seems to do most of the work in the video. However, it was harder than I imagined once I got in the position, I was only able to make it about 90 seconds before my calf’s started to burn. However, before that I focused on my breathing slowing inhaling and exhaling for those few moments my mind wasn’t racing, I felt relaxed and was in the moment. Another thing I noticed is that the tightness and pain in my back wasn’t gone but it was a little bit better after less than 2 minutes.

Week 2 and sticking to it!

So, this crazy video went from something I did 1 night to now something I have added to my routine and have done every night for the past 2 weeks now. The crazy thing is day by day my endurance increased, and I was able to hold it a little bit longer. I could feel it get a little easier the more that I did it. Then by day 8 not only could I hold it for 5 minutes, but the timer went off and I stayed in that position for an extra minute.

During the day I work from home and sometimes I just feel stressed, tense and frustrated so I decided to try the position on my lunch. This time I turned on a 5-minute meditation on the Calm App I used a lounge chair that sits against the wall because I can’t get up and down from the ground.

Literally once I’m in the position it clears my mind, provides a stretch that I feel in my lower back and legs it help relieve some of the pain from sitting all day and focusing on breathing helped me clear my head, decreased my anxiety and I just felt better.

Success with a yoga pose for better sleep

I can’t count the hours that I’ve spent on TikTok or Facebook just aimlessly watching reels while my mind races and my body fights sleep. I never imagined that in my aimless scrolling I would come across something so simple but with so many health benefits. Seeing how helpful this one stress has been I’ve been now purposely searching for stretches or yoga positions for people with mobility that help with pain and sleep. Check back for an update after my 30 days to see how my journey goes.

Have you ever tried yoga or unconventional things to help with your sleep?