Stretches with forward bends! They solved my insomnia problems! But, WHY?

[~^~RedFlame~^~]

Originally Posted by Gardengirl

Laura, I'm trying to envision forward bends in bed under the covers!

Me too! Would you STAND on the mattress?

[Laura S.]

Originally Posted by cheech

Are the forward bends you're mentioning regular forward bends, like the ones Cathe and other instructors do at the end of workouts??

Normandy - I guess so. They are like the ones included by athletic stretch instructors in short stretches like Tamilee's 10-minute stretches and Slim & Limber by Debbie Siebers. I always skip stretches at the end of workouts and opt for those 10-15 minute stretch tapes. Does that answer the question?

Me too! Would you STAND on the mattress?

No. I would sit on the mattress and cross my legs in front of me. Simultaneously, I would pull the covers up around my shoulders and around me as best as I could as I leaned forward. Then, I would straighten one leg and bend the other leg with the foot pressed against the inner thigh. Repositioning the covers around my shoulders as best I could I would, again, lean forward. All of the stretches I did seated, except for the spinal twists which were supine (always wanted to use that word after working out to the Firm! ).

Of course, now that it is warmer, I just get up and do the stretches on the floor...

[~^~RedFlame~^~]

Well, with my life-long severe insomnia, I for one am sure gonna try it!!

[Gardengirl]

Originally Posted by Laura S.

No. I would sit on the mattress and cross my legs in front of me. Simultaneously, I would pull the covers up around my shoulders and around me as best as I could as I leaned forward. Then, I would straighten one leg and bend the other leg with the foot pressed against the inner thigh. Repositioning the covers around my shoulders as best I could I would, again, lean forward. All of the stretches I did seated, except for the spinal twists which were supine (always wanted to use that word after working out to the Firm! )

Spoken just like an instructor . . . even used "supine"!

I was thinking the forward bend like the one in Slim and Six and trying my best to figure how to do that one in bed (short of standing up on the mattress) with covers in place. My mind just couldn't go there and God knows what DH would think if I started rooting around doing "supine forward bends" in he middle of he night in bed!!!

[Lifeisgood]

Originally Posted by Gardengirl

God knows what DH would think if I started rooting around doing "supine forward bends" in he middle of he night in bed!!!

If he's anything like my H...there would be a "masculine, energizing, upward flowing energy"...which would be counterproductive to me trying to relax so I can sleep!

I'll try this out in the hallway to be on the safe side.

[Gardengirl]

Originally Posted by Lifeisgood

If he's anything like my H...there would be a "masculine, energizing, upward flowing energy"...which would be counterproductive to me trying to relax so I can sleep!

Exactly!!!!!

Originally Posted by Lifeisgood

I'll try this out in the hallway to be on the safe side.

[~^~RedFlame~^~]

Originally Posted by Lifeisgood

If he's anything like my H...there would be a "masculine, energizing, upward flowing energy"...which would be counterproductive to me trying to relax so I can sleep!

I'll try this out in the hallway to be on the safe side.

How funny and how absolutely TRUE!!!

[Tish]

Laura, I'm so glad you posted this! In the last few months I've had a bad night at least once a week so last night I tried your suggestion. When I woke up at 4 am I was able to go right back to sleep! Woo-hoo! Normally I'm awake and tossing for 1-2 hrs. It may not be a sure fix every time but so far so good!

[~^~RedFlame~^~]

I am very intrigued. So how long do you do this? You get up, say, and do a swan dive and just hang for a while? Or is it better to do several repetitions, as in standing sun sals?

I am a terrible insomniac, so ANY suggestions are welcome!

[SharonNYC]

Originally Posted by cheech

Are the forward bends you're mentioning regular forward bends, like the ones Cathe and other instructors do at the end of workouts??

Yes, the forward bends Cathe and other workout instructors use are borrowed from yoga -- as are most of the other stretches you see her (and others) do.