We’ve all been there. Your day is fully packed, you have things to get done, errands to run and deadlines to meet. You squeeze in an hour to take a yoga class before you lose your sanity. You promise yourself you’ll be in and out of the studio in one hour, so to cut back on time you skip savasana. As the teacher begins to cue the final resting posture, you quietly roll up your mat, rush out the studio door and get on with the rest of your to-do list… Noooo! Come back!
Since I’ve been teaching, I’ve had a handful of students skip out on savasana. Every time I see someone begin to roll up their mat I always want to yell, “But wait, this is the most important part!” Maybe you’re thinking, really Morgan? Will laying in stillness for five minutes actually have an impact on me? And I’m here to tell you, yes. I truly believe it does.
Photo by Precious Peach Photos
We’re all busy with jam-packed schedules and never ending to do lists. We’re constantly doing something — working, meeting up with friends, laundry, answering emails, you name it. During our yoga practice, we continue moving and flowing. Even when we hold poses for an extended time, some small part of us is anticipating the next pose and what’s to come. It’s not good or bad, just human nature. But savasana is the one and final pose where you can fully surrender. There’s no pose to move into, the eyes close and you return to the natural rhythm of your breath. It is an opportunity to allow the mind, body and breath to fully let go.
Savasana is such a critical element of the practice because it allows you to soak in all of the benefits of your practice. It offers a time to decompress after your flow and surrender into relaxation. The feeling after savasana is what some refer to as the “yoga high,” which is such a peaceful feeling. Giving yourself time to honor your body and all that it does for you, thank yourself for making time to get on your mat and take a moment to pause is a beautiful act of self-love. When you hurriedly roll up your mat and head out the door, you don’t get to bask in the post-yoga bliss.
Photo by Precious Peach Photos
Many yogis agree that savasana is the most challenging part of class. It’s harder than holding warrior two or boat pose because it is centered on relaxing the mind. When you’re flowing, you’re focused on the pose you’re in, your breath and your body, but when you’re in savasana, you let (or try to let) all of those thoughts drift away. It can be difficult and uncomfortable sometimes. I may be in savasana and my mind wanders to all of the things I need to get done or drifts to what I have to do after class but that’s ok. It’s a normal part of the practice. Savasana allows us to notice where our mind wanders and where we are holding stress so we can become more self-aware and less reactive.
I know you may be thinking, you made a few good points, but I still have places to be. I hear you. Even my own practice has evolved lately, which you can read about here. Just maybe consider what those five minutes that you’re “taking out” of your day can add back into your day — a few moments of peace and quiet, stillness, self-observation. No matter what comes up for you, it will allow you to move through the rest of your day calmer, more focused and centered. Maybe decide to stay for savasana in the near future and see how you feel. 🙂
Sending love,
Morgan