Ah, Savasana, that blissful meditative ending to a yoga class that allows one to connect to the earth, to let go and be held by it. A much needed time of stillness to help the body and mind rest, giving us an opportunity to integrate the yoga practice and feel grounded within ourselves.

 

I often say that I come to practice for that post-Savasana feeling, some call it “Savasana brain” if you have experienced it you know what I mean! I love Savasana, but it wasn’t always that way. Having gone through trauma and the foster care system at a young age there was a lot I was holding onto in my body and staying still was a challenge. It was a slow journey from resistance and holding on, to healing and letting go. Now, I soak up and savour the stillness and feel it nourishing my every cell.

 

I believe we resist savasana because we resist stillness, a deep fear of what will happen when we finally stop. Stop moving, stop thinking, stop doing. We are in a perpetual “fight-or-flight” mode with our to-do lists, responsibilities, the general stress of life, and possibly the subconscious resistance to face old wounds or trauma.

 

Savasana is beyond a gift for healing, mental well-being and a better quality of life. Here are a few powerful reasons to take time to rest daily:

 

1.) Savasana cultivates freedom from the stressors of life. Our heart rate, blood pressure, muscular tension and body temperature slow down.The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous systems gain some balance and union. When we hold stress in life, it shows up in joints and muscles as they begin to tighten, and it most certainly shows up in our unfocused and reactive mind.

 

2.) Savasana brings us back to ourselves. It reminds us that we are enough just the way we are as we slowly loosen our identification with the physical body and witness our thoughts without attachment. Loosening the grip of the need to know the outcome of our efforts allows the mind to take a break from planning the future or reviewing the past, giving us time to be in the present moment.

 

3.) Rest reminds us that we are human beings, not human doings. These days busyness is celebrated as being successful. Savasana allows us to reconnect to the being, the deeper part of ourselves, where the true power lays, I like to call it our “spirit”. We get caught up in the doing because it is easier and because the results are visible.

It is not easy to be with oneself, and literally just be and nurture who we are. When we find peace of heart and mind we uncover that everything will come when it is meant to. Please do not get me wrong, both are important, but when we cultivate balance between the two we uncover who we truly are and why we are here, and take appropriate and healthy actions to achieve it.

 

4.) Savasana allows us to succumb and let go of the things we cannot change or control. This is a tough one for many, including myself. I remember clearly when I was struggling and feeling overwhelmed with life, it caused great stress and anxiety. After months of trying to adjust to the changes, I was laying in Savasana and I just burst and began to cry. At that moment I just surrendered and allowed myself to feel, feel for what was happening at that time and deep rooted feelings from long ago. I envisioned myself floating on water, no longer trying to tread with force, just letting go to float and be with what was. It was a helpless feeling, but also liberating and freeing to just let to go and let be with what was happening in my life. Now, I see it was all to bring me to where I was meant to be.

 

5.) Savasana transfers our focus inward to our own inner wisdom and intuition. We are all intuitive! This is great news!!! It is not a skill we learn, but one that we clear the way for and open up to. When we allow ourselves some stillness and quiet, we can begin to hear. When we let go of the thinking (mind chatter) and allow ourselves to be still with our breath in the present moment witnessing our thoughts, body sensations and emotions and just be with it as it is, it clears the way for deeper knowing, arising of our deeper sense. In short, when open up to receive the benefits of our practice in savasana, we are also opening up receptivity to our spontaneous flow and intuition.

 

6.) Savasana brings us to stillness where we begin to open to our emotions and vulnerability begins to creep up. It is not easy to lie there with our heart open to breathe and feel and be with what is arising to the forefront. I am a huge Brene Brown fan and so grateful she took the time (14 years!!) to research vulnerability. She says:

 

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”

 

7.) Lastly, and hence the name corps pose, Savasana reminds us that we are going to die. As morbid as that sounds, it is another opportunity to rid of unnecessary attachments. As Pattabhi Jois said we experience “a small death everyday”, burning through the ego and allowing our authentic “unmasked” self to rise. This is why we practice yoga and meditation, to move away from the ego and to act, think and feel from our truest sense, our authentic being.

 

A few Savasana facts that may entice you to take time to rest today. It can take up to 15 minutes for the mind, muscles and breathing to slow down so the healing can begin, rest that is more therapeutic than sleep. I know it is not always easy to give or take a 15 minute Savasana at the end of a yoga class, but even 7 to 10 minute Savasana is fine. With each Savasana we awaken bit by bit to our higher self as we release attachments and rigidity in everyday life, and allow ourselves to be.

 

As my teacher Judith Lasater says, taking 20 minutes a day to rest and disconnect from the world “feeds the soul and nourishes our life”. We begin to notice how good it feels to be alive, and that is why I like to call it purr-asana, because you know cats have the life!