WHY IS SAVASANA SO IMPORTANT?
WHY IS SAVASANA (CORPSE POSE) SO IMPORTANT?
Lots of people find it difficult to lie still in Savasana or don’t like to do it as they think it’s a waste of time and they could be achieving something in that moment. In Western society we feel the need to always be doing something and we pretty much never give our body the opportunity to rest and restore. Some people freaking love Savasana and zone out completely (not every time though). For others they fidget; hate the silence; thoughts creep in their head; they want to get on with the day. Savasana is more than just lying on your back and relaxing. It’s a time for your body to integrate and absorb all the information it’s taken on during the practice. It’s time for restoration and nourishment! What could be more important? :)
Simply by lying on your back and following the flow of the breath, allows us to recover from any physical stress brought on from previous yoga postures, and releases any lactic acid build up acquired during a practice. It gives the body a chance to rejuvenate. It’s inevitable the mind will wonder in Savasana. Each time the mind does wonder gently draw the focus back to the body and the breath; observing how the body feels and holding the body in your awareness. Maybe there’s a sense of lightness, heaviness, tingling sensation or floating.
Benefits
1. DE-STRESSES - it’s good for anxiety and works as a de-stresser (if you’re feeling stressed I understand it’s hard to take a 2 minute ‘lie down’ but by slowing down the breath and bringing the focus to the body; it will automatically begin to calm your thoughts)
2. BRINGS CLARITY – it will leave you feeling refreshed in the mind so you can think more clearly or even sleep better (if done before bed). A less cluttered mind will not only benefit yourself but those around you.
3. REVIVES THE BODY – When your body is relaxed, after your yoga practise, your bodily functions and systems (like your immune and digestive system) become stimulated and revitalised. Your body needs that time to process and remember the information and intelligence.
4. MEDITATION - Savasana kind of bridges the gap between asana and dharana (intense focus) then dhyana (state of meditation). It trains the mind to be more focused and present, to be aware of flowing thoughts and not to fixate on them.
The beauty of Savasana is that you can take the pose whenever you want throughout the day. It doesn’t necessarily have to be after your asana practice.