Author: Stacy Kamala Waltman
Depending upon one’s dexterity, there are many yoga postures which are considered to be beyond our current physical capacity like the sitting position of Full Lotus or the flexibility and strength required in the yogic posture of Pincha Mayurasana – Forearm Stand.
Aside from yoga, if I asked you where you experienced your current greatest life challenge you might respond, “Getting everything accomplished!”, “Finding time to relax” “Getting to sleep” “Handling all of my varied responsibilities” or “Letting Go”.
For those of us who aren’t suffering from insomnia, we may remember how to sleep but many have lost the art of how to truly rest.
For some, it takes great effort to resist turning on the television, and, once it’s spiraling on, can become even harder to turn off. We are often mesmerized by its constant promises of entertainment as time drains away from other more nourishing pursuits.
In this day and age of over-exertion, over-extension, a coffee hut on every corner and media over-stimulation, relaxation has been pushed aside. Replaced by activity and consumed by the effort, we think ourselves lazy if we aren’t busy. Our authenticity often becomes lost in forward moving, frenetic activity just for movement’s sake.
We are a highly adaptive species: what was once “normal” in life morphs and evolves over time becoming our new standard and sometimes we can forget what life was like before our new habits took hold. Wisdom too is lost if we don’t pause to notice our current state of being.
Shavasana, The Corpse Pose – a mental and physical equivalent to deep relaxation, is often the most difficult yoga position for newcomers. It is the least physically challenging posture in the spectrum of yoga positions because we don’t have to do anything with our bodies other than sink deep into our being.
In Shavasana the mind quiets down; the body leans into itself and the internal organs begin to unwind. When comfortable in this pose, breathing slows and stress begins to evaporate. The body’s natural healing powers rise as we surrender to a higher wisdom.
Students who practice Shavasana over time begin to relish the cumulative benefits of this restorative and rejuvenative posture. As our mind becomes calmer, it is easier to meditate and we notice that fewer mistakes are being made throughout our work day. We feel better. Our sleep is richer. The capacity for kindness expands. It becomes easier to make decisions due to our mental clarity, and we feel more connected to God.
The Corpse Pose can be mentally challenging though – our mind can trick us into thinking we should be doing something because striving is what our psyche knows.
According to the Mayo Clinic, if we are experiencing a great deal of stress in our lives, it is imperative to find the time every day for relaxation and just a few minutes a day isn’t enough to provide the stress reducing benefits of deep relaxation. For a clearer, less stressed mind, fifteen minutes of deep relaxation a day is best – rest at the core level for our optimal health.
In a pinch, daydreaming can also be used as a relaxation technique; however, with daydreaming, our mind is still engaged, whereas in Shavasana, our mind is quiet.
As a precursor to meditation, deep relaxation also provides relief from headaches, reduced body pain, improved concentration, emotional stability, elimination of insomnia, lowering of blood pressure, reduced fatigue, improved bowl function, reconnection to our source and less depression and anxiety. The quality of observing without judging is also developed in this pose.
How often do you daydream? When do you truly and deeply relax? The Mayo Clinic recommends a daily practice of deep relaxation. Yogi’s do too. If you add to your daily relaxation practice with a gradual and regular series of at first 30, then 60 and finally 90 minute Shavasana classes, you will enjoy the peace, clarity, strength and restfulness of this miraculous yoga posture.
Turn down your mind and begin to turn up the quiet with Shavasana – The Corpse Pose.
