Savasana aka Corpse Pose is arguably the most important posture of any practice, for beginners and seasoned yogis alike! This final posture of relaxation allows the practice to fully integrate in both the body and mind. Accessing this state of deep conscious relaxation is a great way to start and/or end the day! While you usually practice Savasana alone, it's also a crucial part of a partner yoga pose routine , where you and a friend or partner can share a moment of quiet, connected stillness after a shared practice.
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Step 1
Lie on your back with your legs extended out and your arms alongside your body. Ankles are relaxed and the inner arches of the feet are facing up towards the sky. Hands are about 6 inches from your body with the palms facing up.
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Step 2
Close the eyes and release any controlled breath your were practicing and just allow the breath to flow naturally.
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Step 3
Release all tension in the body and allow it to sink into the earth. You can work your way up from the feet to the crown of the head; mindfully relaxing every muscle, tendon, ligament, organ and cell in your body.
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Step 4
See if you can acknowledge the thoughts and sensations that come up without engaging and reacting to them; simply let them float by. Ideally you want to stay here for 10 minutes or more to get the full benefits.
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Step 5
If you notice yourself drifting into sleep see if you can stay conscious and aware all the while staying relaxed.
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Step 6
To get out of this pose, gently start to bring awareness back to the breath and then the body. Keep the eyes closed. You can wiggle the fingers and toes, circle the wrists and ankles, extend the arms overhead, interlace the finger, flip the palms and stretch out as if you are waking up from a long restful sleep. Roll onto your right side into the fetal position using your right arm as a pillow. Stay here for as long as it feels appropriate. Without being rushed, gently press yourself up into a comfortable seated position. Take a few moments to soak in the peace and sense of calm before getting on with your day!
- Calms and energizes the body and mind
