Savasana - rest or rejuvenation?

Savasana or corpse pose looks like the simplest yoga pose but is one of the most challenging ones in an asana practice. Even if the body craves this restful position after exercise, it is not so easy to get the mind to calm down. It is a test of patience and practice to surrender and just be one with your breath.

To begin, lie down in a comfortable position on your back (pregnant women on your side). Keep a distance of about 12 inches between your feet, let your toes loosely fall to the sides. Place your palms slightly away from your body with palms facing up. Fingers and toes are relaxed.

You can simply lay down and notice your breath as you inhale and exhale, as your abdomen rises and falls. You can also do a body scan from toes all the way to crown of the head and observe any changes after you’re the practice that you just completed. I love to include visualization in my guided meditation scripts for Savasana because I find that taking your attention to your happy place does wonders for one’s mood, energy and motivation to actually reach/achieve that place in real life.

Make time for a 5-10 minute Savasana, or longer if your soul needs some R&R; and experience how it can benefit your body, mind and spirit in so many ways. Savasana…

· Relaxes the central nervous system, muscles and joints after yoga practice.

· Rejuvenates and invigorates the body and mind

· Improves blood circulation

· It is a wonderful stress buster – helps to declutter the mind

· Effective tool to learn the art of relaxation

· Being a grounding pose, it can help to balance vata dosha

Do take note of these precautions:

· Pregnant women should practice Savasana by lying on the side and using pillows between legs and under the head for comfort.

· People with back problems can use modifications like keeping knees bent and using a thin pillow or a folded towel under the head.

· Try not to fall asleep. This pose is one of conscious rest.

I have had students tell me after early morning classes that they had planned to go back and take a nap (kind of like continuing the Savasana we would practice, but in bed with a blanket). But, apparently and unsurprisingly to me, that has never happened! This is because the cells are energized with lots of fresh oxygen with all the mindful breathing and correctly practiced yogasanas. One always feels so invigorated after yoga that ‘sleep’ is the last thing on the mind!

Go on, try it out and post your experiences in the comments below!

Did you feel rested or rejuvenated, maybe both? : )

*Om Shanti Shanti Shanti *