Magic Carpet Ride
It does not matter what level or lineage of yoga you practice, the final pose offered is "savasana". The translation means "corpse pose" which sounds a bit macabre. The point of savasana is to allow the body and mind to rest, to allow the nervous system to assimilate your practice of poses and release any held stress improving your physical and mental well-being. It is lying down on your mat with your limbs outstretched, closing your eyes, and taking a few deep breaths. It is sometimes held for a few moments or can be as long as 15 minutes.
The first time I practiced yoga in a class as a student I remember thinking it was a little weird to be lying in a room with a bunch of other people and essentially taking a nap. I had also just had a baby and fell asleep so hard I snapped awake drooling. The point is NOT to fall asleep but to simply relax. And clearly that can be exceedingly difficult for so many of us. The best is when you hover between a state of being asleep and awake.
Shunya. In Hindi, shunya means a void, the supreme state of awareness where everything comes to nothingness. ... It is said that everything returns to zero or nothingness before being created anew.
When I first started teaching, I wondered what I was supposed to do while everyone in the room is lying down. I used to walk around the room and offer hands-on adjustments. But since the pandemic I have not been doing that. I will sometimes lie down too, but often I feel like the keeper of the space so that feels inappropriate. I usually just sit quietly at the front of the space. I can feel the energy of the room settle, I watch as bodies that were twitching or scratching an itch stop moving. I can see the rise and fall of bellies decelerate as breathing slows. When I teach privately at people’s homes, this is when the family dog finally lies down and the whole house goes quiet.
Other things happen too.... unexpected things. I have witnessed countless tears streaming down people’s faces. Fisted hands-on top of eyes or an arm that slides outward to hold the hand of a loved one next to them. For many, being quiet and still with your own self is the toughest part of the practice.
With the holidays approaching, I am going to make a conscious effort in my classes to offer a longer savasana. If you are coming into the studio to practice, we will be using the props (blankets and bolsters) and experiment with getting cozy. If you are practicing at home, have a blanket or pillows handy when you sign on.
An eye pillow is also a great prop for savasana. Not only does it block out light but the faint pressure of the eye pillow on the eyelids stimulates the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve decreases alertness, lowers blood pressure, and lowers your heart rate. This gentle pressure sends a calming message down the back of the neck and shoulders giving the mind and body permission to relax.
Consider savasana a gift. Like anything else it gets easier the more you practice, conditioning your breath to slow and quiet until it is almost invisible, relaxing one body part at a time, and flirting with being suspended in space.
xoxo
JK