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Pilates poses for Better Sleep!

  • 06 June 2016
  • By Shveta Bhagat
  • 1 Comments

You must have heard many a times the merits of exercise when it comes to heavenly sleep, but now we tell you what line of exercise can best help and how. Also these can be practiced on a medium to hard surface including a quality comfortable mattress.

Pilates, a form of exercise which entails lot of stretches, and integrates philosophy with technique has shown to have a great effect on sleep. Invented by Joseph Hubertus Pilates, this form of exercise draws strongly from yoga and zen as well as ancient Greek and Roman fitness regimens, to achieve that perfect sync of body and mind. Joseph Pilates came to believe that the roots of poor health and bad sleep are bad posture, “modern” lifestyle, and inefficient breathing. He then dedicated his life to discovering a solution which later came to be known by his name.

Joseph Pilates had a holistic approach towards fitness and even highlighted its significance for good sleep in his famed book-‘Return to Life through contrology’. ‘Contrology’ referring to, “the complete coordination of body, mind and soul”. The exercise poses are designed to calm a disturbed nervous system, hence alleviating any stress and helping one sleep more deeply and easily. Pilates also helps by way of increasing blood flow throughout the system and increasing body awareness. Overall makes one tune in with oneself, strengthens core and helps in deep relaxation, by gaining mastery over one’s own body. Delhi based Pilates instructor Julia Romanova, who is a great proponent of Pilates shares some poses that are especially beneficial for sound sleep. So roll out your yoga mat and flex it.

1) Roll Up
Roll up is great for abdominal muscles, and is well known as one of the classic Pilates flat abs exercises. It is wonderful for stimulating the spine and as the spine has a lot of nerve endings, one ends up releasing stress in the process. It has been said that one roll up is equal to six regular sit ups, and is much better than crunches for creating a flat stomach. This first move is the Pilates Arms Over. You lie down flat, then raise a little, with your arms to the side and finally sit with your back straight and arms stretched right on top. This helps stretch your hamstrings and stimulates the spine. Usually it is repeated six times.

Step 1:

Step 2:

2) Mermaid stretch
It basically involves your intercostal muscles – which are main breathing muscles – your Quadratus Lomborum and back extensor muscles. To maintain the integrity of the torso there is also a minimum abdominal engagement. If done correctly, it will release certain muscles which are usually not worked, and ensure deeper diaphragmatic breathing. In this pose, you sit in an open fourth position, with one arm stretched sideways over your head. Then put one hand on the ground and raise your hips while stretching the hand sideways over your head. Keep each pose for approximately a minute.

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Step 2:

3) Butterfly Saw
A classical pilates exercise that strengthen the core and increases its flexibility is the Saw. It gives the spine a great stretch as also your neck and shoulder. Sit tall on your butt with your knees apart but soles of the feet joined together, and just stretch one arm across diagonally and then your other arm and reach out as far as possible.

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Step 2:

4) Wall Roll Down
This is a standing stretch where you stand against a wall. It stretches the back and the hamstrings, as it works the abdominals. Stand tall against a wall, move your feet a little away. As you nod your head your arms stay parallel to your ears and roll down your spine slowly and away from the wall. Begin rolling down slowing and curve your torso as much as possible, reaching the floor with your arms, keeping shoulder straight.

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Sleep exercises would help you develop healthy  sleep habits and help fight conditions like insomnia. Similarly your mattress and bed accessories can also affect your sleep.

So spend time to choose the best mattress online that is able to support your body and soothe the pressure points in your body for a good night's sleep.

Comments

this is a lot of valuable information. Thanks

Malini Das

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