5 Facts About Savasana

Savasana is the final resting pose in a yoga class. Some people refer to it as the "nap" at the end of class; some people think it's a nuisance and can't wait for it to be over; and for some people, it's the whole reason they go to yoga classes.

1. Savasana means "corpse pose."

"Corpse pose restores life. Dead parts of your being fall away, the ghosts are released." 

- Terri Guillemets 

In the modern world where we often times are in control of so many aspects of our lives, it can be really hard to really, fully let go. When we practice yoga, we create new mental and physical patterns in our bodies and minds which help us break free from patterns that are no longer serving our highest Self. These are the "ghosts" that are released. 

2. It helps us release the nervous system.

The nervous system controls the breath, the heart rate, blood pressure, and emotions, among many other functions. It controls stress in the body. In yoga, we learn to control our response to "stress" in the form of physical postures, asanas, which challenge the body. We control our breath, flooding the body with oxygen, keeping the body calm and the mind inwardly focused, and create space from the constant chatter of thoughts in the mind. This action of deliberate, intentional, focused thought blending with the stretching, strengthening, and relaxing of physical asana practice makes the end of a yoga class the perfect time to find complete relaxation of the body and mind.

3. Contrary to what you might think, Savasana is the most difficult pose to truly master. 

It may seem as though the thoughts that bounce around your head all day are impossible to completely control. Images pop into your mind, grocery lists, imagined conversations, all of which make it a challenge to truly "mute" the mind. So when you lie down, fully stretched, seemingly primed and prepped for perfect relaxation, it might be frustrating that even though you try to think about nothing, nothing reminds you of something, and before you know it, you catch yourself thinking, "I'm hungry. What should I have for dinner? Did I remember to switch the laundry this morning? I wonder if that girl returned my phone call?...etc. etc." What gives?!

Cut yourself some slack. It takes time and practice to learn how to be comfortable emptying your mind. Have patience with yourself! Every time you notice your mind wandering, just gently bring your mind back to follow your breath. Each breath you take in is a new chance to quiet the mind, so practice quieting your mind for one minute and then gradually work up from there.

"A perfect savasana needs perfect discipline. It is not only very uncomfortable to the brain, but it makes the body feel like a piece of dry dead wood." - B.K.S. Iyengar

4. Savasana was designed to protect practitioners from fear of dying.

Much of the transmission of yoga was passed through oral tradition. Savasana brings us close to death through total liberation of body and mind. Patanjali, the sage from ancient India who authored the Yoga Sutra, is said to have been the earliest creator of corpse pose, because his students asked him how they could free themselves from the fear of death and the unknown.

5. If you can't make yourself comfortable lying flat on your back, all hope is not lost!

I'm a huge proponent of props. They are a wonderful way to gently ease your body into asanas. Safely creating your expression of the pose with the help of straps, blankets, blocks, chairs, what have you- gives your body the chance to ease in to the challenge of creating that shape. You can absolutely still tap into the energy at the heart of the pose, regardless of what assistance you might need in order to keep your body safe from injury or excessive strain. In savasana, the spine should be eased down on to the mat in a straight line. The shoulder blades should be touching down equally, as should the hips. The palms face up, arms at a comfortable distance from the body, and the feet fall out to the sides. If you've heard these or many of the other physical cues of savasana but still can't quite get comfortable on your mat, you're not alone! Luckily, one of the most wonderful use of props is in savasana. If your back bothers you when you lie down flat, place a rolled up blanket or bolster under your knees. If your neck is uncomfortable without support, a blanket or pillow placed underneath your head might feel good. One of my favorite props for savasana is an eye pillow or even just a folded up towel  placed over the eyes. It will provide soft weight and allow you to sink deeper into relaxation.

Have a happy savasana!