Use this incredible Kundalini asana (yoga posture) as a sleep substitute. Yogi Bhajan taught me that doing a shoulder stand for fifteen minutes can equal two hours of sleep because it relaxes you so deeply. Though a shoulder stand is not a long-term replacement for sleep, it can be a great substitute when you just cant catch enough Zs.
To do a shoulder stand, lie on your back and bring your spine and legs up to a vertical position, supporting your butt with your arms. Your shoulders and elbows support your body weight (get your legs as vertical as you can and make sure that all of your weight is on your shoulders, not on your neck).
If a shoulder stand is difficult for you can do an easier inversion by simply leaning your legs against the wall. Place a bolster or two thick folded blankets under your lower back and lift your legs in the air supported by the wall. Rest in either of these positions for as long as you can, breathing deeply in and out your nose. Try it for a minute and then build up to fifteen.
Miracle Message: Fifteen minutes of shoulder stand equals two hours of sleep.
Or visit Gabrielle Bernsteins website
Learn how to meditate with Gabrielle Bernstein's video
