A Ten-Minute Evening Wind-Down
This sequence uses floor poses and slow breathing. Move slowly and stay within comfort.
The sequence
- Seated forward fold, 2 minutes. Sit with legs long or crossed. Fold from the hips and let the head hang.
- Reclined twist, 1 minute per side. Lie on your back, drop both knees to one side, arms wide.
- Child's pose, 2 minutes. Forehead down, breathe into your back.
- Legs up the wall, 3 minutes. Let the legs rest and the breath slow.
Finish
Lie on your back for a minute. Try breathing in for four and out for eight, five times.
Do this at the same time each evening for a week and note how you fall asleep.
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