Savasana, or corpse pose, is the ultimate resting pose. It’s the primary pose for yoga nidra, plays a big role in restorative yoga and is the proverbial cherry on top of most yoga classes, regardless of style. Kundalini, Hatha, Vinyasa….they all include savasana.
Savasana is often referred to as the most important yoga pose. It’s also considered the most difficult.
What makes this pose so special and complicated, all at the same time?
Keep reading to find out! Savasana is the topic of today’s newsletter.
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Sweet Surrender
At the most basic level, savasana is a yoga pose. It is typically the final pose offered in a yoga class, serving as the last few moments of respite before rolling up the yoga mat and getting back to life.
In truth, savasana is way more than just a yoga pose. It is a practice in itself, inviting us to pause and embrace stillness, something many of us find very hard to do.
That’s why savasana is more difficult than crow, plank or camel. While physically demanding poses may be uncomfortable, we are familiar with the struggle they bring. We are accustomed to constant effort. The real challenge lies in learning to stop striving and sit in silence.
This difficulty is why so many people skip savasana, especially when practicing at home. Which is a shame because savasana isn’t just the resting pose at the end of your yoga class; it serves a very important purpose: integration.
Understanding the Purpose of Savasana
Yoga teachers do their best to demystify savasana. Some say “Savasana gives you the chance to absorb the benefits of your practice”, others explain “Savasana integrates all of the work you’ve done in class.”
But what does that mean?
These cues have always felt a little esoteric to me. How does lying still after a yoga class help the yoga magically “sink in”?
As it turns out, the answer lies within the practice.
Why do you practice yoga? Are you seeking relief from stress and anxiety? Learning to cope with grief? Cultivating a sense of wellbeing? Inviting more peace and joy into your life?
Whatever your intention, the practice and everything within it — poses, breath work, mantras, mudras and meditations — is in service of that intention, and savasana is the culmination of the practice.
Savasana is the summit, the peak you work so hard to reach. Why not sit back, stay a while and enjoy the view?
The the benefits of your practice are not soaking into you. You are soaking in the benefits of your practice.
Put it into Practice
If your yoga practice was a cake, Savasana would be the frosting. While you can certainly enjoy the cake on it’s own, why pass up that added flavor, texture and sweetness?
And just like Savasana, frosting serves a higher purpose: it locks in moisture.
Bakers devote careful attention to whipping butter, beating eggs, monitoring oven timers and cooling/storing their cakes.
Even with all that effort, the cake still requires frosting to prevent the moisture from escaping.
This week, stick around for Savasana and add a little frosting to your practice. It’s luscious, lovely and preserves all that positive energy you so diligently cultivated.
25 Minute Self Care Yoga + Savasana | Relaxing Seated Stretches for Stress & Tension Relief | Jessica Richburg
25 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
This gentle class delivers exactly what the title promises. A relaxing, stress melting sequence with an extended Savasana at the end. Show up, stretch it out and stay for a few moments of stillness and silence before rushing back into life.
20 Minute Grounded Sunday Flow to RESET for the Week | Arianna Elizabeth
20 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
Arianna delivers a gentle, satisfying class for yogis of all levels. She guides us into relaxation then gives plenty of space to marinate in Savasana. Very nice for Sunday, or any day of the week!
30 Minute Yoga Flow: Cleanse Your Heart Chakra | The Journey Junkie
This heart chakra class is one of my all time favorites. I’ve been practicing it for years. Allie finishes the class with guided breath work, something I enjoy when I want a little more structure in my Savasana.
Final Thoughts
I encourage you to make some time for yourself, your yoga and a little Savasana on this busy holiday weekend.
Enjoy the festivities and come back next Sunday for our final REST issue in the month of December.
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