Savasana is one of the most important poses in yoga, but it is often the most neglected. It’s understandable, it’s the last pose and you want to get out quickly at the end of class. However, a good savasana is crucial for your well-being. It helps to release tensions and re-calibrate your mind and body following an active yoga practice.
Savasana is a Sanskrit word that means the practice of cleansing or clearing. It’s a traditional and basic moment in any Sun Salutation routine. The purpose of Savasana is to allow your body to recover, relax and re-align itself after going through standing poses, forward bending poses and backward bending poses.
There is no doubt that yoga is a good way to relax. Within our busy schedules, we always find ways to squeeze in a yoga class or two to keep ourselves calm and relaxed. But did you know that there are specific poses for relaxation?
Savasana, also known as Corpse Pose, is the pose for relaxation.
savasana pose is considered by many to be the most challenging of all yoga poses. It is the final resting pose generally performed for 5 to 10 minutes at the end of a yoga class. It is an excellent pose for stress reduction and relaxation. The word savasana comes from two Sanskrit words: “sava”, which means “corpse” and “asana”, which means “pose”.
The aim of savasana is to relax the physical body and quiet your mind. This can be difficult because sometimes your mind resists allowing you to quiet it. People who have trouble sleeping can also perform this pose in bed before going to sleep as a way to calm their minds and bodies as well as improve their quality of sleep.
Most of us use it at the end of our practices after finishing all the poses and sequences. We do it because we are told to do so. But if you ask anyone why they do this pose, most will probably answer “because it’s a relaxation pose” or “because it’s part of the practice”. There are many reasons why it is important to practice Savasana. Here are some of them:
It helps lower your blood pressure
It reduces muscle tension
It improves breathing
It improves circulation
It calms your nervous system
Savasana Benefits
Relaxes the body. Savasana relaxes your whole body. It helps release tension from the muscles and organs, improves circulation, lowers blood pressure and slows down your breathing and heart rate
Calms the mind. The physical relaxation of the body in savasana then triggers mental relaxation. This pose helps calm down your mind by relieving stress and anxiety while reducing anger, fatigue and depression. It also helps increase focus and can be used as a meditation technique to improve concentration
Increases energy levels. Relaxing the body in savasana gives you more energy as it decreases fatigue and helps relieve insomnia
Improves digestion. The relaxing qualities of savasana help improve digestion by soothing abdominal cramps or discomfort.
Why You Should Do Corpse Pose
When you’re performing a corpse yoga pose, you’ll lie down flat on your back with your eyes closed, your arms resting by the sides of your body, and your legs extended straight out.
As you breathe in and out, try to focus on the sensations in your body and let go of any tension you may be holding onto. You may also want to begin by taking a few deep breaths to clear your mind.
You’ll stay in this position for as long as you feel comfortable doing so or for about five minutes. If you’re new to yoga or have back issues, you may want to start off with less time and work up to a longer session.
The corpse pose is a yoga asana, which is basically just a position, that’s done at the end of a yoga session. The position, also known as Savasana is done lying flat on your back with your feet about hip-width apart and your arms about 45 degrees from your body, palms facing up.
The purpose of this pose is not to tone you up or burn calories, but to relax your mind and body after an intense workout. However, there are some health benefits that come with doing this pose.
You can improve your circulation by doing the corpse pose (savasana). To do this move properly, lie flat on a mat or the floor, legs slightly apart and arms resting by your sides. Close your eyes and focus on deep breathing and relaxing each muscle in your body. Stay in this pose for 5 minutes for optimal results.
