Chinese Wisdom for Better Sleep

The Chinese have practiced this simple position to improve the quality of their sleep (and their breathing while asleep) for thousands of years. Today, as sleep disorders and chronic ailments resulting from poor-quality sleeping and breathing are on the increase, we can learn from this powerful yet simple technique.

Get the easy how-to instructions here:

1. Lie in bed on your back.

2. If you are right-handed, cross your left foot over your right foot (vice-versa if you are left-handed).

3. Interlace your fingers on top of your chest.

4. Close your eyes and gently concentrate on your breath. As you listen to your breathing, you will soon drift into a deep and restful sleep.

Read more: Spirit, Alternative Therapies, Guidance, Self-Help

Adapted from The Secret Teachings of the Tao Te Ching, by Mantak Chia and Tao Huang (Inner Traditions, 2005). Copyright (c) 2005 by Mantak Chia nd Tao Huang. Reprinted by permission of Inner Traditions.
Adapted from The Secret Teachings of the Tao Te Ching, by Mantak Chia and Tao Huang (Inner Traditions, 2005).

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Marie W.

11:17PM PDT on May 19, 2012

Can try but I am a side sleeper.

send a green star

Dale O.

11:07PM PDT on May 19, 2012

Fascinating, can try this one although have never really felt comfortable sleeping on my back. For some reason my body prefers it if I am sleeping on my left side.

One person mentioned that one should not have the foot of the bed facing the door as it is a "death position". Since I often reverse sides and put my pillow by the door one night and switch another night especially if a neighbour is blasting the radio my sleep experience certainly has variety.

Most of us like to read articles like this without being lectured about how the Chinese (or anyone else) mistreats animals or whatever the Cause happens to be. Every culture has its abusers be it of animals, women, children, seniors....we could go on and an. Can we not read something about sleep without someone with a Cause telling us how nasty someone else is. We all are exposed to something called the media and are already aware of things around the world.