Release the Action and Master the Art of Surrendering
Initially, when you embark on your yoga journey, savasana may feel like a luxury. Reclining on a soft mat amidst fragrant incense and the gentle tones of a Tibetan singing bowl? Absolutely!
Why Savasana Matters
The wonderful aspect of savasana is that the time spent lying down, supported by bolsters is crucial for your body to absorb all the insights gained from your yoga session. Just as your body processes the food you consume to develop your muscles, organs, and tissues, resting flat on your back at the conclusion of class offers your body the space and time to fully embrace the advantages of yoga asana (postures). Many instructors do not devote nearly as much time to the anatomical subtleties of savasana as they do to other poses. This is partly because creating an empty space is where the true essence of savasana begins to unfold.
Why Savasana Is the Most Challenging Pose
The term savasana translates to corpse pose in English. When we’re lying down, eyes shut, palms up towards the sky, we really couldn’t be doing much less unless we were deceased. This is where the difficulty arises. In Buddhism, a restless mind is referred to as a monkey mind. If you’ve ever observed your thoughts, you may have realized it tends to leap from one idea to another like a monkey swinging through branches. When you lie or sit in stillness, it may often feel as if you’re accomplishing nothing. There’s a lure to resist engaging with all those thoughts clamoring for your focus. In this manner, savasana can require more dedication than other yoga postures. It’s worth the effort.
The Physical Advantages of Savasana
Savasana stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (your ‘rest and digest mode’). The perks of spending time in the parasympathetic nervous system (in contrast to the sympathetic nervous system, your ‘fight or flight’ mode) include better sleep, reduced blood pressure, lower stress levels, and decreased fatigue. Furthermore, as your body decelerates, your mind follows suit.
Savasana as a Form of Meditation
Savasana aids in soothing the mind. While you may not be monitoring your breath as you would in conventional meditation, granting yourself time (be it one minute or twenty) at the close of your yoga practice to shed ‘the action’ embodies a form of release. And surrendering is the essence of meditation. Letting go of attachment to thoughts begins with permitting your body to unwind. Thus, if the urge to forgo savasana surfaces, remind yourself that there’s equal potential for yoga magic in both savasana and handstand. Both positions require practice.