Taking care of yourself also means taking care of your sleep
Elodie Abadie • 13 septembre 2023
Peaceful sleep thanks to yoga

Insomnia, restless nights, stress and fatigue are part of your daily life?
I have a 5-year-old daughter, so I go to bed quite early and it often takes me a good hour to get to sleep.
Why is that? I overthink!
About what? Current instability, countries at war, my business, my family..... All these factors affect my quality of sleep. It simply affects my mood and both my physical and intellectual capacities at the moment, but in the long run, consequences can be dangerous for my health (cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure....).
We spend around a third of our time sleeping. Sleep is essential and necessary, so it's important to understand how to manage it.
Yes, it's important to go to bed with happy, constructive thoughts, because the subconscious mind keeps repeating your last thoughts. If you worry while you sleep, you'll still feel tired when you wake up.
So for the past month, I've been doing a bedtime routine.
To rebalance my body after a busy day, I perform a series of yoga poses to relax and soothe my racing thoughts.
And I promise you, it's possible to get a good night's sleep thanks to yoga.
Yoga will help you release the accumulated stress of the day and promote relaxation.
Here's a plan to help you change your routine and regulate your sleep issues.
Would you like to have sweet dreams? Here's how.
1 => Before taking your shower, I invite you to perform this little yoga
dance choreography,
which will help you disconnect, let go and release all the tensions of the day. Click here to try it out.
The further along you get in the week, the more enjoyable it will be, as you'll know it by heart. The idea is to be able to practice it every evening with the music of your choice, the one that speaks to you, the one you like.
2 => Take a hot shower to relax your body. (Or a bath if you have a bathtub) If you have time, you can of course add candles, incense, essential oils ... I know that such an intense routine is complicated to implement on a daily basis, especially if you have husband and children waiting to have dinner. So a hot shower will do the trick. Use a scented, relaxing shower gel.
3 =>
Eat at the right times and the right things. Ideally at least 1h30 before bedtime. Avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea and rapid sugars (sweets, sweet desserts...).
Instead, choose pasta (not overcooked), rice, wholemeal bread, lentils and chickpeas ....
4 => Here's a little
meditation
that may also help you fall asleep.
The brain is the main troublemaker of your nights. It leads us to ruminate, carrying us away in thoughts that go round and round in our heads. It's important to re-center ourselves to calm these thoughts and focus our attention on present sensations.
Meditation for sleep, to be found on the studio in guided meditation audio format, click here.
Let's imagine that thoughts are like birds in the sky. Lie on your back. For a few minutes, feel the sensations of your body breathing, the air coming in and going out. Your muscles contracting and relaxing. Observe the flow of air through your lungs. As you breathe, bring your attention to the thoughts and emotions that are flowing through you at that moment. The images, words and sounds in your mind. Watch them appear and disappear. Thoughts are like birds in the sky, fluttering in the wind. Watch them transform. If you notice that your mind has flown away with a thought or rumination, quietly bring your attention back to your breath. Breathing is like the wind that blows the clouds away from your mind.
Understanding sleep:
Sleep is characterized by periods of :
- decreased motor activity
- increased sensory response thresholds
- easier memorization
- discontinuity of mental activity
In the brain, during slow-wave sleep, activity slows down more and more as sleep deepens.
The same applies to the body, with a progressive reduction in the body's main basic functions: pulse and breathing slow down, blood pressure, muscle tone and body temperature drop.
There are two types of sleep: slow wave and REM.
What happens to the body?
In slow-wave sleep, neuro-vegetative functions gradually slow down as sleep deepens and brain activity slows.
In REM sleep, muscle tone disappears completely.
The hypnogram shows the sequence of a night's sleep.
Why do we need sleep?
Sleep deprivation affects our ability to learn, memorize and adapt to new circumstances. It also plays a key role in daytime well-being.
Another function of sleep could be to put the body to rest, or at least reduce its energy consumption and rebuild metabolic energy stocks (glycogen in the liver). Other systems benefit from this "rest": cardiovascular systems, for instance.
Self-confidence is one of the essential pillars for thriving in personal, professional, and social life. Yet many people struggle to cultivate it.
The good news is: confidence is not a gift reserved for a few—it’s a skill that can be built and strengthened day after day. In this article, discover practical tips and proven strategies to boost your self-confidence, transform limiting beliefs, and unlock your full potential. What is self-confidence? Self-confidence can be defined as the belief in your own ability to act, overcome challenges, and achieve your goals.
It combines several elements: * Self-esteem: the value you give yourself. * Perception of your skills: believing in your ability to succeed. * Resilience: the capacity to bounce back after failure. 👉 Without confidence, we censor ourselves, take fewer risks, and constantly compare. With confidence, we step into our power, move forward, and shine. Why is self-confidence so important? Building strong confidence allows you to: * Make decisions with clarity. * Better manage stress and criticism. * Seize new opportunities. * Maintain healthier relationships. * Feel aligned with your values. 💡 Confidence acts like an engine: the stronger it is, the more you dare to act—and each small victory fuels it even more. 7 tips to boost your self-confidence 1. Identify and reframe limiting beliefs Our thoughts shape our reality. If you constantly repeat, “I can’t do it”, your brain will believe it.
👉 Replace each negative belief with a realistic, encouraging affirmation: * “I’ll never succeed” → “I learn and grow every day.” 2. Take care of your body and mind Physical well-being directly impacts confidence. Move your body, practice yoga, dance, or fitness, get enough rest, and eat a balanced diet.
💡 When your body feels good, your mind feels stronger. 3. Step out of your comfort zone Every small risk strengthens confidence. Try something new: speak up in a meeting, explore a new activity, or say “no” when needed.
👉 Action is the best antidote to doubt. 4. Celebrate your achievements, even the small ones Many people focus on what they haven’t done, forgetting what they have accomplished.
Keep a success journal and write down every win, no matter how small. Revisit it during moments of self-doubt. 5. Surround yourself with positive people Confidence grows in the right environment. Distance yourself from toxic people who bring you down, and connect with those who encourage and inspire you. 6. Practice gratitude and self-compassion Stop judging yourself harshly. Speak to yourself as you would to a dear friend.
Each evening, write down three things you’re grateful for. This simple practice nurtures a strong, positive mindset. 7. Keep learning and building your skills The more mastery you develop in a field, the more confidence grows. Invest in yourself: read, attend training, practice, repeat. Practical exercise: the confidence mirror Every morning, stand in front of a mirror, look into your own eyes, and repeat aloud a positive affirmation such as:
✨ “I deserve my place.”
✨ “I have the resources to move forward.”
✨ “I am capable and confident.” This simple yet powerful ritual anchors a new self-perception . Conclusion: self-confidence is a path for everyone Building self-confidence is like strengthening a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. It’s not a gift reserved for a few, but a skill anyone can develop with patience and self-kindness. 👉 If you want to go further on your personal growth journey, and explore yoga, dance, and Pilates practices that strengthen self-esteem and confidence, visit our website: www.yogadanse.eu 🌿 Because every movement, every breath, and every intention can become one more step toward the most confident, radiant version of yourself. ✨ And you—what’s the very first action you’ll take today to strengthen your confidence? Namaste 🪷
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Chakras lie at the heart of many spiritual traditions, especially in yoga and Ayurvedic medicine.
These invisible energy centers influence our physical health, emotional well-being, and mental clarity.
When our chakras are open and aligned, the vital energy (prana) flows freely, allowing body, heart, and mind to live in harmony. In this article, discover: * What chakras truly are * Where they are located in the body * How to recognize imbalances * Which yoga poses, breathing techniques, meditations, and foods help restore balance to each chakra
What if you could combine the power of yoga, the grace of dance, and the energy of mindfulness into one single practice?
That’s exactly what Yoga Dance offers — a complete, accessible, and deeply liberating experience. In this article, discover why Yoga Dance is attracting more and more people , who it’s for, how a typical class works, and what unique benefits it brings to your body and mind.

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These cues are not just about posture—they refer to precise internal actions known as Bandhas, or energetic locks in yoga.
Activating the Bandhas helps you protect your body , especially your spine, while also stimulating the flow of vital energy, or Prana . They play an essential role in asana practice, pranayama, and even meditation.

What if you chose your warm-up based on the element that suits you today?
Earth, Water, Fire, or Air — discover how each energy can transform the start of your yoga practice. The warm-up, that key moment at the beginning of a yoga session, is much more than just a physical preparation. It’s a ritual of reconnection — a way to return to the body, get the circulation going, calm the mind, and settle into the present moment. Each day, our needs change. So why not choose your warm-up based on the natural elements that live within you? In yogic and Ayurvedic traditions, the elements — Earth, Water, Fire, and Air — can guide us toward a practice that aligns with how we feel, here and now.

What if, instead of constantly trying to fix what’s wrong, we started nurturing what’s already working well within us?
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Yoga Dance is much more than a physical discipline. It is a philosophy of movement , a way of being in the world, of inhabiting one’s body, of flowing through one’s emotions.
Born from the fusion of yoga, contemporary dance, and traditional Indian practices (notably Natya Yoga), this choreographic approach to yoga is not about performance, but about authentic self-expression through movement. Each session becomes a sacred space for reconnection — to your breath, your sensations, your creativity, and your joy of being alive.
Here are the core principles of this practice, far beyond the postures.

In yoga practice, breath is far more than a simple physiological function — it is a true bridge between body, mind, and spirit. Breath, or prāṇa , is considered the vital force that flows within us. Yoga invites us to become aware of this subtle energy and use it as a tool for inner harmony. In fact, breath is the link between the visible and the invisible, between movement and meditation, between outer turbulence and inner stillness. In foundational texts such as the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali , breath control is described as an essential pillar of practice. Prāṇāyāma, the expansion of vital breath, is one of the eight limbs of yoga (Ashtanga Yoga), placed after postures (āsana) and before concentration (dhāraṇā). This highlights how breath is seen as a path to inner transformation , leading toward meditative states.

Something new is coming to life in our universe.
A project we’re crafting with care, blending technique, precision, and a deep love for the moving body.
At the heart of this evolution lies a practice that transforms the way we connect to our body: the Pilates Reformer. But the Reformer isn’t just a machine.
It’s a full-body experience.
A way of moving that’s more fluid, more grounded, and more conscious. In this article, we invite you to explore this unique tool, its benefits, and how it redefines the Pilates practice from the inside out.