Don’t you want to release all stress of the day and relax for once? What if we told you there was a way for you to do that. No medications, no addictive substances, no costly therapies simply including yoga in your daily life will be enough.
But yoga too has evolved into different styles over a period of time. Add to that there is almost a never-endling list of yoga asanas. Each of these provide you a specific health benefit. But out of all it is Shavasana that helps you let go and focus on the present moment.
Want to know what makes Shavasana so different? Read further to find the answer.
Shavasana – The Yoga Pose to Let Go
Shavasana is the Sanskrit name for the Corpse pose in yoga. It is a beginner-level restorative yoga exercise. Almost every yoga session ends with the Shavasana where you lie down in the supine position. It might sound easy but this yoga exercise requires a good level of mental focus.
Daily practive of Shavasana rejuvenates your body and mind by calming down the nervous system. It is an effective yoga asana to attain peace of mind and body.
Do you know that the word Shavasana has a much deeper meaning? No? The information below will give the answer.
Shavasana – The Deeper Meaning
The word Shavasana is a result of two root terms. The first one, Shava refers to corpse and the second word Asana refers to pose. In simple terms, you keep the body motionless by lying down on the ground like a corpse. A certified YTT school can help you learn this yoga asana using the right technique.
Let us now check out how you can practice this relaxing yoga pose.
Steps to Practice Shavasana
- Lie down in the supine position on the ground/yoga mat.
- Relax your shoulders. Keep both arms at least 15cms away from your body.
- Keep both arms straight. Let your palms face upward direction.
- Curl your fingertips.
- Spread your feet as far as comfortable.
- Close your eyes. Relax your entire body.
- Keep your body motionless. Breathe deeply.
- Bring awareness to different parts of your body. Start from the right foot, right knee and the entire leg.
- Do the same with your left leg.
- Now bring awareness towards your head.
- Inhale. Exhale slowly and relax your body.
- Surrender yourself completely to the feeling for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Slowly bring awareness to your body and the surroundings.
- Close both eyes. Roll towards your left side. Remain there for a minute.
- Press your right palm into the floor/mat
- Gently sit in the Easy pose.
- Remain in the seated position. Keep both eyes closed and breathe deeply.
- Slowly open your eyes.
But, there are a few precautions and contradictions to the Corpse pose.
Precautions and Contradictions
- Keep your body still, without the slightest movement.
- Never practice Shavasana with a disturbed mind as it can lead to headache and frustration.
- Do not tilt your head towards any of the shoulders.
- Do not practice Shavasana during the later stages of pregnancy.
- Practice Shavasana with bent knees and feet on the floor if you have a back injury.
Apart from these you should also know about the yoga poses that make you ready to do the Shavasana.
Preparatory Yoga Pose for Shavasana
Shavasana is practiced after dynamic yogic postures like the Sun Salutation. The yoga teachers tell you to practice Pranayama before doing the Corpse pose. Join one of the certified yoga schools in India to learn this yoga pose from experienced yoga teachers.
Following the guidelines mentioned above will help you reap the benefits of Shavasana.
Benefits of Shavasana
Given below are 3 major benefits of Shavasana.
Relaxes the Body
Corpse pose is the best yoga asana to let go of all tension and relax your body. It helps you become mindful of deep breathing. Your body supplies fresh oxygen to the muscles to release any built-up tension.
Reduces Blood Pressure
Apart from relaxing your body and mind, Shavasana also improves your blood pressure. It keeps stress and fatigue away from your body. In the long run this helps bring the blood pressure under control. The Yoga Alliance certification can help you learn how Shavasana does this.
Improves Concentration
Shavasana helps you enter a deep meditative state. It helps you focus on every part of the body. This enriches your mind which improves memory and concentration level.
Conclusion
The Shavasana is one yoga pose that relaxes your entire body and mind. If you want to let go of all the tension and stress then you should practice this yoga asana. Join a certified YTT school to learn and practice Corpse pose under guidance of skilled yoga experts.
