Artemis Yoga teachers and staff spend so much time creating calm for their students. But when class is over, how do they unwind?
We asked the Artemis Yoga team about their bedtime self-care routines, and we got a wonderful range of ideas that we want to share with you. If you’re looking for inspiration for your own evening ritual, here are some great tips.
Music & Soothing Sounds
Rahel Wasserfall listens to familiar music each night. Sheryl Rosenberg plays a sound bath playlist to help her settle into bed. The frequencies of a sound bath stimulate alpha and theta brainwaves, which promote a state of deep meditation and relaxed consciousness.
A Little Entertainment
A popular wind-down ritual is enjoying a book before bed.
Julia Dunoyer likes to read in bed, even if she can only get one sentence in before she falls asleep. Jarvis Chen admits that he’s been obsessively reading right before bed lately. Jess Miller listens to a favorite book from when she was younger. She finds that it puts her right to sleep because it doesn’t require much attention.
Some teachers like to watch shows before bed.
Alex Medeiros chooses a comedy to bring a little joy before she falls asleep. Natalie Tull Greene pulls out her iPad to watch something funny as well.
Dana Arnaboldi winds down with either reading or iPad time. She then prepares for sleep with an eye mask, earplugs, and a mouth guard as a way of depriving herself of the senses so she can truly rest.
Allison Hardenbergh admits that evenings with a young child can feel chaotic. Once bedtime finally arrives, her wind-down often looks like watching some TV and staying up a little too late.
Gentle Movement & Yoga
Sue Gormley always ends her day with a dog walk. Even if it’s just around the block, fresh air always calms her down.
Victoria Kuenerz and Gloria Rodriguez-Gil both enjoy evening yoga classes, saying it helps them feel relaxed and ready for sleep.
Tea & Warmth
A warm drink is a favorite bedtime ritual for many of us. Liz Padula enjoys chamomile tea. Elena Babson and Katherine McManus sip sleepy-time blends. Meredith Wright’s tea selection changes seasonally, right now she’s enjoying mint.
Warmth and comfort are essential to rest. JoAnne Kazis creates a cozy environment with tea, essential oils, and a heated wrap for her shoulders. Stacey Jackson-Flammia sets herself up in side-lying savasana with a bolster between the legs and carefully arranged pillows.
Washing the Day Away
Jane Croke has perfected her nighttime skincare routine—double cleansing, exfoliating, and applying a thick moisturizer. She then feels settled for the night and climbs into bed with a cat or two.
Santina takes a bedtime shower and adds an Ayurvedic self-massage called abhyanga. This practice melts away the stress of the day, leaving her feeling grounded and restored.
Danielle da Cruz enjoys soaking in the tub with an audiobook and a beer, while Kelly Michaud relaxes in a hot Epsom salt bath.
Precious Moments with Loved Ones
For many teachers, the most comforting part of their evening is cozy time with pets and family.
Liz Gawel reads in bed with a cat and two dogs. Einat Peled-Katz always tucks her dogs into their beds before she gets into her own.
Irina Sidorenko has discovered a calming trick: she covers herself in a thick wool blanket which is a foolproof way to get her cat to curl up on her lap. Petting her warm, purring cat has a very soothing effect.
Tara Rachel Jones ends her evenings walking her dog and chatting with her teenage daughter.
Charlotte Schorr says bedtime can be chaotic while getting her kids settled. But once everyone is in bed, reading together often leads to everyone drifting off to sleep.
Preparing For the Next Day
Sometimes winding down includes a little planning.
Tracy Affonso’s morning starts early, so her wind-down includes preparing for the next day: laying out clothes, setting multiple alarms, and packing snacks.
Katherine McManus always feels better after she closes the house down for the night. She cleans the kitchen, straightens the living room, and lays out clothes for the next day.
Finding Your Own Rituals
What’s your bedtime routine and how does it support you?
Small, consistent rituals matter. If you’re building your own bedtime routine, start simple. One calming habit—like a cup of tea or a few pages of a book—can make a big difference in how you end your day.
Wondering about your yoga teacher’s morning ritual? We’ve got you covered here.
