Author: Stacy Kamala Waltman
Written: January 8, 2008
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 Yoga Nidra or deep relaxation in shavasana begin to relish the cumulative benefits of this restorative and rejuvenative practice. 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 Source.
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 or if we are interested in keeping stress at bay, it is imperative to find the time every day for deep relaxation and just a few minutes a day isn’t enough to provide the stress reducing benefits of yoga nidra. For a clearer, less stressed body, mind and spirit, fifteen minutes of deep relaxation a day is best for 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 and we connect at a deeper level to our true nature.
As a precursor to meditation, deep relaxation also provides relief from headaches, reduces body pain, improves concentration, balances emotions, eliminates insomnia, lowers blood pressure, reduces fatigue, improves bowl function, eases depression and anxiety. The quality of observing without judging is also developed in a yoga nidra/deep relaxation practice allowing us to remain a witness rather than a follower to, unconsious and habitual thoughts.
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. Turn down your mind and turn up the quiet with yoga nidra/deep relaxation.
For more information on yoga nidra and deep relaxtion with Stacy, please visit: http://www.integrationcoaching.com/YogaNidra.html
Copyright © 2008 (Stacy Kamala Waltman)
For many years I had problems with my back. I had to slide out of bed and crawl to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Then I would go to the chiropractor and my spine was put back in place. I tried accupuncture as well. Finally I had a MRI and found athritis in L 4 & L5 as well as other problems in my back My Dr. sent me to a back surgeon and he stated, you do not need surgery, do Yoga. (I was really lucky I met this Dr.)
I started doing a Yoga caled Dahn (Korean Yoga) that did a little good, not nearly the releif I was looking for. Then I found Svaroopa. At that time I had a knot of tension in my shoulder. Massage accupuncture or chiropractic did not help. I just 3 months of Svaroopa Yoga the painful knot that that had been there for a year was totally gone. I was finding more and more releif from my back pain. After 2 years of Svaroopa 4-5 classes weekly and home practice my lower back pain is gone. I have my own home practice and have done the Svaroopa Foundations course as well as other workshops to deepen my personal practice. I found a natural way to feel Great. I am addicted to feeling Good.
I meditate in Shavasana daily for atleast an hour. I go so deep that I have to set a timer or I would open my eyes hours later to put me behing in my day. Yoga and meditation have improved my life substantially. What a blessing!!
Hi David,
It was delightful to read your report on how yoga has affected your life. Thank you for taking the time to write about your experience on this blog!
Blessings,
Stacy Kamala
There is nothing more rejuvenating than lying in Shavasana – just 15 minutes can feel as refreshing as a good night’s sleep. In fact, the experience of deep relaxation can be even better than sleep. I have been practicing healing and meditative yoga for over seven years and I can’t imagine life without it. At first, the poses seemed so simple. “How could this possibly be helpful?” I wondered. But, it is deceptively simple. Physical muscle stiffness and aches dissipate. Mental and emotional processes become more calm and clear. Life is more balanced and centered. The regular practice of relaxation and rejuvenative yoga is simply life changing.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us DH!
Interesting @David’s reply. I started my Yoga practice with the Iyengar style except that I kept hurting myself; so I switched to Svaroopa™ which I actually teach and still enjoy immensely, however, having a tendency to “get lost in space” I found that adding Dahn not only helps me to ground, noticeable physical benefits appeared in my annual blood tests.
I do agree that very few of us get enough deep relaxation. Good post Stacy.
There is a Yoga saying “The practice that will heal you today will kill you tomorrow” ~ meaning I think that we need to have the discernment to know what is good for us in each moment.
I love synchronicity! Here I am, reading a post from 2008 and my experience resonates with these posters! I had to stop doing Integral hatha yoga due to herniated disc and horrible sciatic pain. After I was able to function a little better (after numerous steroid injections and physical therapy), I was coaxed into trying Svaroopa. What a blessing! It has healed my back, neck, shoulder, fibromyalgia pain about 95%! If I do my practice daily, I’m able to function without pain. The “double shavasana” / deep relaxatoin – at the beginning and end of my weekly class – is heavenly. I go back to shavasana pose whenever I feel anxious, stressed, or have some back pain. However, recently I have been feeling a need for a more energizing practice to balance the restorative, meditative aspects of Svroopa – and have been doing more hatha poses at home. Am also looking forward to being able to incorporate yoga nidra into a daily practice. And…so true about the television – highly addictive! Stacy, I so admire that you haven’t had a TV in 14 years! When I travel, I try to put a shawl over the TV as soon as I get there and set up my picture of Satchidananda as part of my altar, so that I’m not tempted to turn it on…!