Check out This Relaxing Bedtime Yoga Routine

After a long day of taking care of the kids, work, and anything else that can cause stress to you throughout the day, all you want to do is get a good night's sleep. To relieve that stress and get you ready for bed, a nightly yoga routine will help you wind down and relax to ensure you get the sleep you've been hoping for. This routine of eight moves will get you relaxed and right into bed.

Forward Fold

Start out your routine with a forward fold that will stretch out your legs and get that blood flow going. Stand hip's width apart and bend at the waist reaching your hands for the floor. Go as far as you can without any extreme pain. Let your shoulders and arms droop down, not putting any pressure on them. Hold for as long as you feel necessary. 

Downward Dog

From your forward fold position, take a step back and plant your feet and hands to the floor with your butt up towards the sky. Feel a deep stretch in your shoulders and backs of your legs with this stretch. For a deeper stretch, pull your chest in towards your ankles without moving your hands and feet.

Deep Lunge

From your downward dog position, sweep one leg through, planting one foot in front of you landing in a deep lunge. Your back leg should be extended directly behind you. You will feel a nice stretch in your hip flexors, so feel free to go as deep as you can without pain. Lunge forward as you feel a deeper stretch, and reach your hands above your head, reaching for the stars.

Half Pigeon Pose

Swing one foot in towards your center, placing your knee outwards and the other leg extending to the back. This will give your hips, thighs, and glutes a good stretch. Bring your chest upwards, keeping good posture then lower your upper half over your hip to breathe into a deeper stretch. Hold each position for at least 20 seconds. Switch sides to even it out.

Seated Side Stretch

Sitting on the floor, swing one leg out at an angle and bring the other foot it towards your opposite thigh or knee. Reach towards the extended leg flexing your foot and feeling the stretch in your calf and hamstring. Point your toes for a different stretch. Breathe into the stretch and lower your body a little more with each deep breath. Switch sides to even it out. 

Butterfly Pose

Bring both of your feet in where the bottoms of your feet touch each other, where your legs look like the wings of a butterfly. First, push down on your knees with your elbows to feel a wider stretch. Next, you will bend at your waist, lying your stomach and chest over the center, reaching your head towards your toes or further. Reach as far out as you can without lifting your butt off the floor. You will feel a nice, deep stretch in your hips.

Spinal Twist

Lie on your back and bring your knees up and in towards your chest. From there, twist your back, dropping your knees over to one side. You will feel a release of tension in your spine. Look the opposite away of your knees. Switch sides for an even stretch.

Child's Pose

Sitting on your knees, point your toes and sit your butt on your heels. Bending at the waist, lay your stomach and chest over your quads and reach your arms out in front of you as far as you can. Rest your temple on the floor and feel free to rock it back and forth for a temple massage.