7 Yoga Poses: A Cure for Insomnia

Insomnia can be torture. You need to sleep, but you can't. Nothing helps. If this is happening to you, you need yoga.

Restorative yoga poses are excellent for cure for insomnia. You can do this yoga sequence any time you want, but in the evening is the best times. Here are a few yoga postures that have worked for me. It's best to do this yoga insomnia cure in the bedroom, so you can get right in bed when they start working their magic.

Supported Forward Bend - Uttanasana

To do this yoga posture, stand directly in front of your bed. If you're very stiff, place some pillows on the bed. Inhale. Exhale, then lean forward from the hip. Don't over arch your back.

Gently and gradually move forward until your head is resting either on the stack of pillows, or the bed itself. This may take some time, so don't get frustrated. If your head won't reach the bed or the pillows, then rest your arms on the bed. Breathe.

Lift your kneecaps up. This will help to release the hamstring muscle. Stay here for as long as you can, to allow your hamstring muscles and lower back to release.

Shoulderstand - Sarvangasana

If you're not familiar with Sarvangasana, or it makes you uncomfortable, you should skip this yoga posture. Or you can use the wall as a support. However, if you feel that you can balance, lie down on the floor.

Inhale. With a moderately sudden movement, push your body up in the air, so that your shoulders are resting on the floor, but your legs are in the air. Support your hips with your hands. At first, do only a half shoulderstand. To do this, create a "jack-knife" with your body. Place your body at a 45 degree angle, and your legs at the opposite 45 degree angle. Keep your back and legs as straight as possible. Breathe.

Feel your shoulders and back unwind. Stay here as long as possible. Pay close attention to the breath. Watch your belly move up and down as you breathe. This is a more difficult pose than it seems, so stay focused.

Plow - Halasana