The sleep test

Are you sleep deprived? Answer these questions to find out.

Professor Richard Wiseman has designed this simple sleep
test to help you understand whether or not you are sleep deprived. Watch
the video and find out for yourself.

 



If the answer to those questions is yes, try a little yoga to help you sleep better.

 Forward Bend: Swing your legs out in front of you. Bring your arms
behind your back and clasp your hands together. Hinge forward from your
hips. Bring your hands over your head.

 Child's Pose: Kneel on the floor or bed with knees apart. Rest your
chest on your thighs. Bring your arms alongside your body. Let your
forehead drop to the bed. Hold for 45 seconds to 1 minute (longer if it
feels good!).

 Knees Into Chest: Lie flat on your back. As you inhale, bend both knees into your chest. Hug your knees and rock side to side.

 Viparita karani: This posture is alternately known as Legs-up-the-wall
pose. With your back on the yoga mat, gradually extend your legs up the
wall. Keep your arms on the floor with your palms facing upwards. Close
your eyes and then gently stretch your heels by extending it towards the
ceiling. Ensure that you take long and steady breaths while performing
this technique.

 Easy Spinal Twist: Bring your left knee into your chest and let your
right leg go straight. Take a deep breath; on your next exhale, bring
the bent knee across your body, keeping your shoulder blades on the bed.
Look over your left shoulder to complete the twist. Bring both knees
into your chest and then switch sides. Your right knee comes into your
chest, and your left leg goes straight. Hold for 45 seconds to 1 minute,
then release and bring both knees into your chest.

 Corpse Pose: Relax, breathe deeply, and let the stress of the day go.

 Cobbler: Bring the soles of your feet together and hinge forward. Sit on
the floor or bed with your legs out in front of you. Bring the soles of
your feet together and your knees wide apart. Bring your heels toward
your body. Sit up straight, grab your feet, take a deep breath, and
hinge forward from your hips as you exhale. Keep your back straight;
don't force yourself down.

 Pranayama: Usually this is done in a sitting posture and involves
steady-controlled breathing. However, you may also start with a lying
posture as this will enable you to really feel your breath moving
through your body due to the floor contact. The sitting posture is done
in a comfortable, cross-legged position. Start the natural
inhalation-exhalation process and try not to engage your mind in
different thoughts. Always keep in mind to inhale only though your nose
without involving your mouth. On inhalation, fill your belly with air
and then gradually exhale using your nose. Repeat the process for around
5-6 breaths and then relax.

 Adho mukha svanasana: This technique is popularly known as the downward
facing dog. Place your palms and knees on the yoga mat with your knees
aligned directly under your hips and your hands a little ahead of your
shoulders. This posture should be such that your toes are facing
upwards. Now, exhale and slightly lift your pelvis away from the floor.
Do not allow your head to dangle freely and hold it firmly in between
your arms. Maintain this posture for minute or two and then relax.
Repeat this for a total of 5-6 times per session.

 Downward Dog

Authentic Yoga is a collaboration between Deepak Chopra and Tara Stiles. In this video learn the practice of Downward Dog.

Butterfly Pose

Authentic Yoga is a collaboration between Deepak Chopra and Tara Stiles. In this video learn the practice of Butterfly Pose.

Forward Bend Pose

Authentic Yoga is a collaboration between Deepak Chopra and Tara Stiles. In this video learn the practice of Forward Bend Pose.

Child Pose

Authentic Yoga is a collaboration between Deepak Chopra and Tara Stiles. In this video learn the practice of Child Pose.

Knees To Chest Pose

Authentic
Yoga is a collaboration between Deepak Chopra and Tara Stiles. In this
video learn the practice of Knees To Chest Pose.

Lying Down Twist Pose Left

Authentic
Yoga is a collaboration between Deepak Chopra and Tara Stiles. In this
video learn the practice of Lying Down Twist Pose Left.