What is the Importance of Practising Savasana at the End of Yoga Class
The Importance of Savasana
All schools of Yoga recommend practising Savasana at the end of their class. No yoga session is complete without the final pose – Savasana. Many yoga students do not understand the importance of practising Savasana, also called as Corpse pause, at the end of their yoga practice. They feel that why to spend extra 10-15 minutes just lying down after the real class of series of exercises are over, which is according to them a waste of time. Instead, they prefer to leave the class and reach home fast. It is a pity that they do not understand how important is practising savasana for few minutes.
What is Savasana?
Savasana is a lying down in corpse pose and relax completely. Sava means corpse, and lying down in that position relaxing the whole body and mind, is called savasana. It is a great relaxation technique by being motionless and stilling the mind while one is fully conscious. We have to take care however not to use Savasana as an opportunity to drift off into a dream state or even to sleep. Remember, we are still practicing yoga. Though Savasana appears very easy it is not that easy.
Some Useful Tips for Savasana
If you know yoga mantra, after savasana, chant the concluding yoga mantra, folding your hands, sitting in the Vajrasana position.
If you do not have 10 minutes time to spare for Savasana, spend at least 3-5 minutes just lying down flat and relaxing completely,
If a soothing music is played during Savasana, that will be very helpful to get into the relaxed state.
While doing Savasana your whole body should be on the mat, and the room should preferably be dark, and free from outside distractions.
Caution
People with any medical problem should practise Savasana only with the supervision of a qualified yoga teacher.
Savasana should be practised on empty stomach, and not immediately after food.
How to Do Savasana - Step by Step
1.Lie flat on your back with legs outstretched like a corpse.
2. Leave your hands to the sides away from your body, with the palms facing up.
3. Keep your heels of the feet together with toes apart.
4. Close your eyes (no need to close tightly) as if you are sleeping.
5. Take a deep breath and exhale it slowly with concentration. Repeat this process three times.
6. Observe your breath and see that it comes to normal.
7. Now relax your whole body by part by part, starting from the feet. Tell in your mind 'relax my feet' 2-3 times, and concentrate on your feet. Likewise, tell in mind about each part of your body till the head, and concentrate that part properly.
8. By the time you reach the last portion (head) you feel totally relaxed. Each muscle and nerve are totally relaxed and your mind is free from all thoughts. Do not allow any stray thoughts to enter your mind. Even if it enters disperse it immediately. Please remember it is not a time to think about preparing breakfast or dinner (whatever it may be depends on when you are practising) or thinking of your office work.
9. Take a deep breath and exhale it by saying "Aum", and repeat it two more times. You will experience a pleasant and refreshed feeling when the waves of "Aum" travels through your nerves to all parts of your body. Experience and enjoy that state for about 2-3 minutes.
10. To come back to the normal position, move the fingers and toes, awakening the body.
11. Bring the knees into the chest and roll over to your right side, keep the eyes closed.
12. Slowly bring yourself back up into a sitting position.
Benefits of Savasana
Savasana removes the tiredness caused by stretching and pushing our body to various yoga poses.
The total body and mind get relaxed and rejuvenated.
The complete relaxation of the body stimulates digestion and giving the immune system a boost and benefiting all the systems of the body.
The complete relaxation of the mind helps to relive stress, headache, mental weakness, dizziness, and insomnia.
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Comments
lex123 (author) on September 16, 2013:
Thank you for your comment. Glad to know that you felt the information useful.
Sunil Kumar Kunnoth from Calicut (Kozhikode, South India) on September 16, 2013:
Informative and useful. A good hub, which will benefit all, if they pay attention. Thank you for sharing.
