The Many Benefits Of Savasana

For many of us Savasana is the ten minutes at the end of our yoga practice where we can just chill out and relax. It sounds lovely and easy doesn’t it? So why do so many of us struggle with this posture?

For some of us relaxing and surrendering the body to total relaxation doesn’t come very easy. We’re not used to stilling the mind and the body at the same time, we fidget because we can’t get comfortable or our mind wanders on thoughts of the day like what to have for lunch or all the jobs that need doing …

Like all things though, it becomes easier with practice and it pays to practice because Savasana benefits our body and mind in so many ways, it:

• Relaxes the body
• Calms the mind
• Relieves tension
• Helps with tiredness and fatigue
• Stimulates blood circulation, and
• Helps you sleep better

Savasana (Corpse Pose)

• Lie flat on your back with your feet pointing out to the sides and your palms facing up. You can put a bolster under your knees if lying flat on the floor/mat isn’t comfortable for you.
• Nestle your shoulder blades down your back and across the mat, releasing all the tension in your body.
• Close your eyes and breathe your natural breath.
• Bring attention to your body by relaxing each part of your body starting with your forehead. Relax the frown lines we all get when we’re concentrating or holding onto any type of tension in our bodies.
• Let your relaxing gaze hover over your eyes, your cheeks and relax your jaw.
• Now bring that relaxing gaze all over your body and breathe and relax.
• Rest here for 10 – 15 minutes then when you’re ready to bring yourself out of this posture start to bring awareness back to your body by wriggling your fingers and your toes.
• Bring your right leg to your chest and give it a hug, then bring your left leg up to join it and give both your legs a hug.
• Rock from side to side to ‘massage’ your lower back.
• Then slowly turn over to your right side so you’re almost in foetus position like you would do if you were sleeping in bed.
• Take a few breaths here then slowly and at your own pace bring yourself back up to sitting.