Teams don’t make it to the Super Bowl the first time they step out on the pitch. It can take years, a whole career – and they may not make it even then. This dosn’t stop them trying, training or enjoying the process. We can apply the same idea to savasana, corpse pose, the relaxation at the end of our yoga classes.
In fact savasana is often referred to as the most advanced yoga pose of them all due to the fact that the art of relaxation is harder than it looks and being alone with our thoughts is a place we train ourselves to avoid with constant distractions in our lives.
‘To master asana, abandon all effort and contemplate the infinite’ Patanjali 2.40
Savasana can potentially give us all the acclaimed benefits of any relaxation. We have a small opportunity to tap into the feeling of space in our body and space in our busy minds and feel it’s possibility. Peace and calm may come, we may end our class feeling sleepy or refreshed- or we may end up in a rage or turmoil at the enforced stillness.
Soft practices draw us inward and releasing rigidity in body and mind can help us navigate reality.
What does it actually mean? Of all the language and words to use for relaxation or rest, shava or mrita ( corpse or death) were chosen. Laya yoga is known as the practice of dissolution and this is the origin of Savasana, where we move away from or ‘dissolve’ the physical body, exiting deha bhava (‘I am the body’) and entering realms leading to moksha (liberation) This is really the crux of yoga, the physical playing a lesser role than the ‘mind stuff’ and I find this helpful when relaxation feels elusive in Savasana, to focus on the body melting away till I am just with my thoughts, breath and mind.
HOWEVER…
Despite all our good intentions, if our bodies are deeply uncomfortable lying on the ground, savasana will remain elusive. We can talk all day about it being an internal practice but if your back hurts or your neck is strained, let’s change that. Physically we are looking for a shape of very little effort so whilst that may be lying down, it can also be with bent legs on your back, lying face down instead, curled up on your side, seated or propped against the wall. And if you really hate the process it’s ok to leave. You have full agency and it is not a reflection on you or any of your teachers business. Props can be also be a wonderful addition to find more comfort. Bolsters under knees, blocks or jumpers under heads, rolled blankets to support you, whatever you need is ok. (I look like I am going high maintenance camping when I attend a yoga class, laden down with all my blankets and props)
Do not worry about external noise. This is reflective of real life. Practicing in a carefully curated environment often finds us then without the skills to relax or withdraw from more bustling places and ultimately with more work to do. Be grateful for the odd thud, clunk or hum of voices – how do we react to that? Our reaction is our superpower and it has its own comforts knowing that life carries on around us.
Its OK not to know. Your teacher may ask you how you feel, or what you notice, I promise you it’s ok to not know and to not listen, I couldn’t tell you one thing that was said to me in my last savasana, they are prompts for those who want that opt in but to disregard for those having a wander of the mind, a busy internal dialogue or a nice little time on their own.
Anchors can be really useful, like following a trail of breadcrumbs back home to ourselves. The breath is our constant companion but if it feels aggravating to follow its flow turn your mind to what you can feel or hear. Maybe the touch of your mat, the cool floor or the fabric of your clothes instead. Anything slow and repetitive an trigger the relaxation response, even counting.
If the breath is a comfort, let the exhale be simple, soft, long and heavy. Breathing out a little longer than you breathe in.
Add a layer as the class winds down rather than just before savasana. One of the responses to relaxation is the body cools, we also often soften the tongue and close the eyes as our fight or flight responses dial down. These can help us calm more quickly but if you don’t feel comfortable closing your eyes find a spot to gaze at and slow your blinks right down. I love an eye mask, I sleep in them and wear them round the house to soothe my forehead muscles so if you don’t like covering your eyes try an eye pillow, your forearm or a jumper sleeve over your forehead instead.
It is a practice for life so be patient with yourself. Witness all the distractions and embrace that there is no winning yoga, no goal, no end game. Simply do or don’t do and you have the choice. If you are uncomfortable mentally or physically,change what you need to. If you feel it is always a struggle, congratulate yourself for still choosing to show up. It is the most difficult process to be face to face with our own thoughts, shortcomings and fluctuations of the mind but yoga tells us that we are perfectly fine as we are with no need to change but simply accept.
Savasana can hold up the mirror and be a tricky process but ultimately will take you privately closer to self acceptance than any public hashtag, quote or self care bubble bath ever will. Spa days and affirmations are great but can often be a band aid leading us to always seek and never be fulfilled or satisfied. Savasana takes us to the inner work, which dosn’t hinge on anyone or any circumstance that is external to ourselves.
‘Of all the paths to the Self, love is the easiest.’ Narada Bhakti Sutra
