7 guidelines for restful sleep By Satkiana Shaw

1. Body Position: 

You may be surprised at this one...sitting up to sleep is best. Kapha is heightened when we sleep, producing more mucous in the body. If we are sitting-up to sleep, less mucous forms and we remain in alignment with the Earth and Sky.


My father spent the last few years of his life sleeping in a "Lazy-Boy" chair. Little did he know he was connecting with the wise ways of the yogis.

East-West is Best: Sleeping with your head pointed towards the East produces a restful, meditative sleep, because your head is pointed in the direction of the sun.

South = Health: Boosts your health as the magnetic lines of force of the earth draws energy into the body and stabilizes it there.

West = Distress: Dreams will be of a disturbing nature as the feet are pointed in the sun's fiery direction and the feet are connected to your dreams.

North...Very Cold: This position is best for corpses. I'm not kidding. In India, corpses are laid with their heads to the North to hasten decomposition and prevent the departed soul or a wandering spirit from entering into the body. The magnetic lines of force draw the energy out of the body through the head. I have a North pointing bed and could not switch it to fit the room, so I simply sleep with my head at the foot of the bed, facing South! Moon-time: We want to enhance our lunar energy when we sleep. She will carry us into peaceful and restful sleep and dreams.

Sleeping on the left side opens the right nostril, enhancing the solar energy and arouses sensual desire. So, sleep on your right side and you will be breathing from the left nostril, enhancing that moon mama energy for a deep, restful and alert sleep. Wind at your Back; Sleeping on your back, no matter how comfy your mattress, disturbs Vata resulting in an airy mind, poor body coordination and may lead to disease in the body/mind.

2. High or Low? I used to live in a tiny one room apartment and a former boyfriend built me a very tall bed so that I could have some living space underneath it. I had to climb onto a dresser to access the bed! Not so good, says the Vedas. The height of the bed should be equal to the height of the sleeper's knee.

3. Zen room:
The room should always be clean, well-ventilated and silent and pyjamas should be clean and loose.

4. Clear Mind: Give your mind time to relax before going to sleep. No eating, reading or serious thinking 2 hours prior to bed.

5. Meditate Instead! Wash you hands, feet and face, massage your feet with a little warm oil to ground your energy into the earth and sit quietly with your spine straight, remain silent...just observe your busy mind...with kindness and acceptance for whatever is there. Some days it is busier than others. No big deal. It will become quieter with practice, patience and time.

6. No Kitchen Naps: Kitchens and food prep areas are not meant for sleeping in!

7. Beds=Sleeping: go to bed only to sleep and get up immediately upon waking.