The art of Surrender

  Savasana, known as the corpse pose. A pose of just being, letting go, total surrender. Savasana is thought to be one of the most important poses in all yoga practices. And is considered one of yoga's most challenging poses of the entire practice. 

The challenge of savasana is not physical, it’s the ability to quiet the mind long enough to receive all the benefits savasana has to offer. Lying on your back, legs are straight, arms are down at your sides taking up space on your mat, palms are facing up to receive. The eyes are shut, and the breath is long and deep. The entire body is heavy and relaxing into the ground, releasing any stress and tension in the body.

 It is called corpse pose not only because of the position of the body but also in its ability to prepare you for the ultimate relaxation: death and rebirth. Savasana will also help you be able to accept and integrate any changes before entering back into your life.

 Savasana is not physical death, but it is the death of letting go of what no longer services you. A death of old thoughts, an idea, a way of being. Savasana reminds us of our mortality and the impermanence of the body we are occupying in this lifetime. We are so much more than just this body. It is through the practice of death that we remember the preciousness of life. 

Savasana is an asana that dates back to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the yoga pose that is still practiced today. It is the only pose among all the asana that is included in every sequence, this makes you realize how important savasana is. Practiced at the close of asana practice, savasana serves to calm the central nervous system after the stress of physical movement. By engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, savasana calms down stress. Savasana can decrease your heart rate and blood pressure releases muscle tension eases general levels of anxiety, boosts energy, and increases memory. Gaining an overall sense of wellbeing without savasana, we miss post-yoga bliss. 

A daily yoga practice is a perfect restart to begin again with a new perceptive and gratitude for where you are now. Absorbing what you need from your mat and taking it with you throughout your day is so beneficial for your mind, body, and soul.

 My personal experiences with savasana can be different each time. Some days I am much more accepting to receive the gifts it can bring. Calmness, clarity, vision, peace, healing, and love. And then other days I battle to quiet my mind and settle in. By accepting all savasana has to offer is a chance to begin again. I wholeheartedly believe my yoga practice has fundamentally changed who I am and how I walk through this lifetime.

  Guiding someone into savasana:

 Speak softly and calmly. Lay flat on your mat arms down at your sides, palms facing up, legs extending straight down your mat. Take up as much space as you need, breathing normally, eyes closed, guiding them to relax their bodies from the tips of the toes to the crown of their heads. (Special attention to shoulders, and jaw) Allowing your body to become heavy and melt into the earth. 

Let all your thoughts drift away, absolve yourself of any thoughts or feelings that need to go, absorb any new ideas or thoughts. Renew, Release, Recycle, a chance to begin again, Awaken to a new consciousness, Rest in peace. 

Gently bringing awareness back to your body begin to wiggle your fingers and toes, reach your arms up overhead, take A nice morning stretch, welcome back. Gently and slowly, hug your knees into your chest, roll over onto your side in a fetal position, 3 rd. eye touches the mat, reestablishing your connection to the earth.

 Feeling supported and loved. Take your time. When you are ready make your way to a comfortable seated position on your mat, eyes closed, hands resting on your knees. facing forward in the room.  

Hands to heart center… I hear you. I feel you. I love you. For I am you. What we see in others is merely a reflection of our own true essence. Fly free, Be happy. Show compassion, Shine brightly. Open your mind, share your love. What if just for today or even just this moment we just surrender what we think life should be and open our hearts and minds to what life could be. 

Hands to 3rd eye, deep inhale OM (AUM),

Thank you for allowing me into your mind, body, and spirit and letting me guide you into internal bliss. 

Om, Shante, Shante, Shante Om.

 Peace, Peace, Peace

Namaste