“It is not death a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.”
-Marcus Aurelius
Every yoga class ends with Savasana. Students come to class with mixed feelings. “I just want to lay in savasana the whole time.” “Can savasana be extra-long this time?” “I can do the yoga, but not the savasana at the end.”
Regardless of your feelings toward the final rest, savasana is the one pose that is guaranteed in every yoga class. The posture is purposefully accessible to all and, despite the simplicity in the action of the posture, it is quite difficult to fully practice.
Savasana, or corpse pose, is the practice of rest and, ultimately, death. The name reflects the appearance of the practitioner, who lies motionless on their back, resembling a peaceful, lifeless body – the corpse. This seemingly inactive posture holds profound symbolism as it encourages the individual to let go of all physical, mental and emotional burdens, much like releasing the final breath at the end of life.
The goal of yoga is controlling your own mind so nothing in the world can bind you. Savasana is the practice of letting go. There are no sensations, no emotions, no thoughts, and being nowhere and yet everywhere all at once. You can think about it, but a corpse does not think. You can feel it, but a corpse does not feel it. All that you can do is LET GO. It is the ultimate experience in detachment. Savasana can serve as an analogy for change. As seasons pass in life, we practice letting go and embracing what comes next.
Physically during savasana, the body enters a state of complete relaxation, reducing heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels. This relaxation response helps alleviate anxiety, fatigue and insomnia. Moreover, the pose aids in the recovery and rejuvenation of tired muscles, making it an essential component of intense yoga sessions.
Yoga, in its essence, aims to unify the mind, body and spirit. Savasana acts as the pinnacle of this integration, where practitioners experience a profound connection with their inner selves and a sense of oneness with the universe. The stillness of savasana allows individuals to experience a meditative state, where they can glimpse beyond the surface of existence and delve into the realms of their spiritual being.
In this meditative state, one may experience a sense of transcendence, a dissolution of ego, and a realization of interconnectedness with all living beings. This profound spiritual experience is one of the reasons why savasana is often considered the most challenging yet rewarding posture in yoga.
The practice of savasana is a reminder of how precious life is. It is a practice in letting go and waking up to gratitude for what is present. Life is here! Life is NOW. Waking up from corpse pose is waking up to your life.
Savasana:
- Lie comfortably on the ground.
- Relax and let go of tension.
- Focus on the breath.
- Cultivate mental stillness.
- Remain in the present moment.
- Stay in savasana for 5-15 minutes.
- Awaken gradually.
Namaste.
