When was the last time you could say that you were in a true state of meditation? Well, the last time you were in Savasana! This posture is of paramount importance to the Bikram Yoga series and any yoga practice. The posture is a shift from doing to being, consciousness to awareness. Savasana presents the opportunity to truly observe the effects of the practice while regaining balance.
Benefits of Savasana
- Returns cardiovascular circulation to normal
- Slows the heart rate and reduces blood pressure
- Teaches complete relaxation by stilling and focusing the mind
- Facillitates powerful blood flow throughout the body
- Magnifies the benefits of the posture before it
- Allows for internal cleansing
- Relaxes central nervous system/calms mind
- Helps relieve stress
- Decreases beta brain waves and shifts to slower brain waves which helps reduce insomnia and improve sleep
- Reduces headache and fatigue
- Helps relieve depression
- Improves the absorption of nutrients
Tips for Savasana
- Need help stopping your mind? Try breathing in for five counts and out for seven counts to slow your heart rate
- Remember that you don’t need to do anything or go anywhere, just be in the posture
- If your mind starts to wander just return to your breath
- Don’t judge the posture or how you are in it
- Keep a soft gaze on one spot on the ceiling
- Do not hold any tension in the body – try to feel like your whole body is being absorbed by the floor
- Keep your arms relaxed beside you, wherever they naturally fall which should be relatively close to the body
- Don’t fidget, wipe or scratch
- Don’t overthink it!
More on Savasana
- How Do You Do That Posture? Savasana
- Posture Clinic: Savasana
- Should I stretch before yoga class or lie in Savasana?
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