Calming Moon Salutation Yoga Sequence
This end-of-the-day yoga sequence will help you unwind before bed.
Most yogis are already familiar with the Sun Salutation yoga sequence, which is meant to be practiced first thing in the morning to bring good vibes for the day ahead. However, you may not be as familiar with the Moon Salutation sequence, which is practiced at the end of each day before bed. Moon Salutation poses have a grounding and calming quality and prepare you for a great night of stress-free sleep.
The Moon Salutation poses below stimulate the lower back and gently work on the hips, hamstrings and back of the body. After a long, busy day, these types of poses are the best for calming both your body and your mind.
Standing Crescent pose
Interlace the fingers, and reach your arms upwards, palms facing the ceiling. Take a gentle side bend to the right and then the left, keeping the lower belly slightly drawn in and broadness in the chest.
Goddess pose
Step out with right foot and turn the toes of both feet diagonally out, knees following the direction of the toes. Bend the knees and sink the hips so you come into a wide legged squat. Bend the arms at your elbows, lift them shoulder-height and spread the fingers, palms facing forward.
Triangle pose
Turn the right toes out and the left toes in. Straighten both legs and both arms and reach the right hand as far as you can to the right, keeping the arms and torso parallel to the floor, roughly in line with the top of the right thigh. Take the right hand down to the ankle or a block and stack the left arm above it. Press into the floor with your feet and radiate out from the fingertips and crown of the head.
Pyramid pose
Step the left foot slightly to the left and shorten your stance. Rotate the left hip slightly down and lengthen the front of the body so it becomes parallel to the floor. Then drape your torso over the front leg as much as your hamstrings comfortably allow. Place your hands on blocks if the stretch is too deep.
Low lunge
Pivot onto the ball of your back (left) foot and bend both knees. Stack your right knee above the right ankle and lower the left knee gently to the floor. Retain a slight engagement in the lower belly and imagine your tail bone lengthens down (this will protect your lower back). Raise your arms up by your ears and lift your chest upwards.
Skandasana
From a low lunge, place your hands on either sides of the feet, pick up the back knee and pivot to the left so you’re facing the long side of the mat. Then bend your left knee deeply and straighten the right leg, toes pointing to the sky. You can either keep your fingertips touching the floor for balance or bring your palms to touch.
All images courtesy of EkhartYoga.com.
