What would you say is the hardest pose out of the 26 postures in the Beginner Class? Triangle Pose? Locust Pose? I know....Awkward Pose!? What if I said the hardest pose is actually Savasana! Would that surprise you? Would you agree?

During Savasana in the 10am class last Saturday (second class in the Yogathon!) the importance of Savasana filled my entire being. In fact the importance of this pose resonated down into my bones and I felt what I can only describe as a massive release which started in my heart and chest and then moved out to the edges of my body and mind. I felt so dead! I moved my pinkie just to verify that I was indeed still alive! Then I just released and allowed the tears to flow and my mind and body to open up into all of the love and energy and greatness in the room, around me and inside of me. I felt deeply connected to everyone around me, to myself and to the universe. There was no need to think or worry or plan or discuss. It seemed to last forever yet was over in an instant. It was like a dip into an eternity of peace.

Consider all that happens, or rather doesn't happen in this simple yet complicated posture! We effort to relax - an oxymoron of epic proportion. Simply hearing the word 'Savasana' spoken can be daunting! Like the word  'daunting' itself which means 'dire' and yet also means 'formidable', both true definitions. Savasana can be heaven or hell, and regardless of how we do experience the pose, it will always be a vital part of yoga practice.

Give Savanasa its rightful place at the forefront of your yoga practice. We invite you to take enough time for Savasana this month; to stay a little longer than usual in Savasana if you can. To strive for plenty of deep relaxation in your life. We encourage you to create space for yourself to breathe and enjoy the light, the warmth and the sunshine of Summer that is inside of you, and outside!

We have some awesome facts about Corpse Pose, Savasana to get you thinking, or maybe not thinking ...

 

2. Westerners typically fall asleep when they begin to practice Savasana due to being deeply fatiqued and unaware of this fact.

3. Savasana is the most difficult pose to truly master.

4. When the mind relaxes fully in Savasana, the tongue and muscles of the jaw and head relax, the roof of the mouth lifts, and the central core of the body opens.

5. Savasana is the only pose that will be a constant in every different kind of yoga class you take.

6.  Savanasa will enable you to discover the natural rhythm of your breath.

7.  Studies show that Savasana practiced regularly can   reduce insomnia, improve the quality of regular sleep, relieve depression and reduce headaches.

8. During Savasana breathing slows, blood pressure lowers and energy is drawn from the extremities of the body toward the vital organs. This is highly nourishing and regenerative and has a cumulative effect on your entire system.

In case you need more to chew on about Savasana, here is a great article about the subject written by a Bikram Yoga teacher...

Get Set....Savanasa  

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All the best from Jacqueline, John & the Bikram Westshore Team!