Having a hard time getting a morning yoga practice in? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one! With all of life’s responsibilities, most of us don’t get enough sleep as is, so the last thing we want to do is get up early when we don’t have to! The good news is that having an evening yoga practice is important as well. It help calms the nervous system, reduce physical and mental tension, helps you to unwind after a long day and can even help with sleeping issues.
This week’s featured classes will be sure to help you unwind from a long day.
- Everything Is Alright Evening Slow Down with Claire Missingham: This class is an evening wind down that has many asanas that release the muscles around the spine that will have become tight perhaps from sitting in flexion all day. We then focus on opening the belly to gain better digestion of the days food and activities. Hip openers to release tension from the pelvis and hips, finishing with a lovely, supported relaxation to support a good night’s sleep. Props Needed: Two blankets, a block and a strap.
- Seated Moon Salutation with Alex: This seated variation of Moon salutation is traditionally done in the evening and has a calming, meditative qualities that help promote restful sleep. This is a great balancing practice for over-active and busy days. Prop Needed: A chair.
- Soothing Evening Flow with Giselle: There is nothing like a little evening yoga to come down from your day. This practice will include soothing stretches, deep relaxation, and a savasana nightcap that will get you ready to pour yourself right into bed. Suggested Props: 2 blocks, blanket, strap, and wall space.
- Evening Meditation with Kia Miller: This beautiful breath meditation makes the perfect interlude between work and play, or work and home life. The breath gently stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands whilst also relaxing the parasympathetic nervous system making you both aware yet relaxed. Take a moment to be quiet once you have finished, even lay down for a while, then get up and feel refreshed and clear!
- Melodic, Quieting Evening Flow with Jason Crandell: This practice contains just enough fluid movement to wipe away stress and revitalize the body without being over stimulating or fatiguing. You will start slowly, by opening the hips and hamstrings before moving into a slow-flow sequence of lunges, twists, forward bends and side-bends.
- Evening Hip Opening with Amy Ippoliti: A restful practice to open the hips and root the femurs whenever you need to ground your energy and especially sweet just before bed. 1 or 2 blankets, 1 or 2 blocks, and strap are helpful.
- Evening Wind Down with Elena Brower: Take a pause between your work and your rest. Use a practice of alternating twists and forward bends to bring you deeper into an awareness of your own breathing. Make space between your thoughts so you can truly rest.
