2011 October

It’s common knowledge that proper diet and exercise are essential components of healthy living.  Equally important to wellness, but often neglected, is the type of relaxation taught in yoga. While plopping down in front of the TV or curling up with a novel are relatively relaxing activities, what I’m referring to is complete relaxation of the body and mind.

Why do yoga students exit class with serene faces, looking like they’re walking on air? They’ve given themselves the gift of deep relaxation in the posture called savasana (shah-VAHS-ahna).  Translated from the Sanskrit, savasana is corpse pose.  In savasana, we surrender the body to the earth and experience stillness.   We take the body into the rest and repair mode.

While experiencing deep relaxation at the end of yoga class is especially wonderful, you can also enter this beneficial state at home whenever you have a small amount of time and a quiet space.

Lie down in a comfortable, quiet spot, preferably on the floor.  Use a mat or folded blanket for padding.  Make sure you will not be disturbed for at least fifteen minutes.  Turn off the phone ringer!  Your clothing should be loose and comfortable, and your feet bare.  Dress warmly or have a blanket handy.

Stretch out on your back, separating your feet about two feet apart.  Allow your hands to rest on the floor, palms upward. Align your head with your spine.  The posture is symmetrical.  Remain still with your eyes closed.  Breathe gently and rhythmically through your nose.

Spend the remainder of your time in savasana giving your body commands to relax.  Bring all your awareness to your feet, and say internally, “Feet relax.”  Move systematically and slowly up the body.  Say, “Legs relax, hips relax, lower back relax,” and so on.  Pause after each command to experience your body.

You can be as specific as you like while taking this journey.  You might include the internal organs.  Definitely attend to each part of the face.  Finally, say, “Mind relax.  My mind is relaxed.”

In the relaxed state, follow the ebb and flow of your breath.

There’s nowhere to go.  There’s nothing to do.  Just relax.  You deserve this.