As a yoga teacher, you’re familiar with making modifications to students with injuries or limited mobility during class. But did you know that you can also help your students who may suffer from sleep issues? With some basic knowledge of sleep health, you can start helping your students in small but meaningful ways.
Understanding Sleep Health
Help your students with sleep issues by learning basic information about sleep health. Of course, this is not for assessing or advising students medically, but rather to gain perspective from a basic foundation of sleep health to confront the commonality of sleep issues that many students face.
Start by researching common causes of sleep issues such as stress, lifestyle habits, hormonal changes due to aging, health changes, etc. An excellent place to start is through SleepFoundation.org. Learn about good sleeping habits like avoiding screens before bedtime, having a consistent bedtime routine each night, creating an optimal sleeping environment (cool temperature, blackout curtains), and getting enough exercise during the day.
When you have this knowledge base in place, you will be better equipped to help your students who struggle with getting adequate rest each night. While it’s not ideal to give students outward advice on their sleep issues, what is important is that you’re capable of maintaining a meaningful and empathetic conversation.
Creating a Relaxing Environment
Now that you’ve researched better sleep habits and understand how important a relaxing environment is for students, you can further commit to fostering relaxation. Yoga studios are not bedrooms, but they are still safe spaces for students to connect with mind and body, and better yet, hone in on the ability to relax.
Yoga teachers can help create a relaxing environment so that students can better learn how to relax their minds and bodies in preparation for sleep. Yoga itself is calming, and just by being a yoga teacher, you are fostering a relaxing environment for students. Enhance relaxation among your students with some of these tips:
- Set aside time for a longer savasana at the end of class
- Utilize calming music during savasana that is specifically tailored toward relaxation
- Offer a guided meditation during savasana that students can learn and later use for themselves before falling asleep
Offering Yoga Nidra Classes
If you want to make a difference when it comes to helping your students get better rest at night, consider becoming certified in Yoga Nidra. Yoga Nidra or Yogic Sleep combines yogic breathing techniques with guided meditation specifically designed for relaxation and improved sleep quality.
There are a ton of Yoga Nidra certification programs, especially as Yoga Nidra has been gaining traction in the yoga community. Online Yoga Planet is a good starting point for finding the right program for you.
Once you gain the ability to teach Yoga Nidra, you could offer Yoga Nidra classes or simply add a bit of Yoga Nidra towards the end of your Vinyasa or Hatha classes.
Yoga for a Good Night’s Sleep
Yoga teachers have an incredible opportunity to make a real difference when it comes to helping their students. Unfortunately, sleep is just another issue that many students encounter. Learning about the foundations of sleep health and creating a relaxing environment can be yet another path in your journey to healing people of the world.