Savasana and why you may need it most

Savasana (corpse pose) is usually practiced at the end of a yoga class, to calm the body before meditation. Lying down in total connection with the earth helps prepare the body and settle for relaxation. Savasana brings balance to your mind, body and breath which can help to prevent stress, anxiety, tension and depression.

I admit I used to be one of those students who would politely roll up my mat and exit the yoga class before relaxation began. A yoga session was about exercising, sweating and feeling like I had completed a workout. The idea of lying still for 5 to 10 minutes seemed like a complete waste of time! Since then I have spent time developing my practice and reading yoga philosophy. I began to realise there was more to yoga than the physical postures and relaxation and meditation are crucial to maintaining balance in life.

It is natural to feel uncomfortable during savasana because it is difficult to lie still and avoid distractions. With practice it becomes easier to let go of thoughts, worries and to start to feel the benefits of focussing on your breath.

In today's modern world, we are so busy living and never really recharge our batteries! Imagine you are a mobile phone, constantly being used but never being charged up, eventually you run out of battery life and then no longer work. A simple metaphor but one that resonates with most of us. So I encourage you when you are next in class to try and treat savasana as a reward, a little treat or in the case of the mobile phone, think of it as recharging your body. And if you don’t have a regular yoga practice, no problem! Try to take a couple of minutes each day to find a quiet space, close your eyes and take some deep breaths. It really will change your life!

Namaste