Savasana
Encyclopedia
Savasana, Shavasana or Corpse Pose, is an asana
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Lying on the back, the arms and legs are spread at about 45 degrees, the eyes are closed and the breath deep, using dirga (long) pranayama
. The whole body is relaxed onto the floor with an awareness of the chest and abdomen rising and falling with each breath. All parts of the body are scanned for muscular tension of any kind, which is consciously released as it is found, optionally with a small repetitive movement of the area. All control of the breath, the mind, and the body is then released for the duration of the posture, typically 20-30 minutes although often less in Western yoga classes.
The posture is released by slowly deepening the breath, flexing the fingers and toes, reaching the arms above the head, stretching the whole body, exhaling, bringing the knees to the chest and rolling over to the side in a fetal position. After a short time and a slow inhalation, the practitioner takes a seated position.
Following an asana practice ending in savasana, the body may be in the anabolic state of metabolism during which organ and muscle repair and development is occurring. Activities requiring the body to switch back to the highly active catabolic state of metabolism are therefore reintroduced sensitively, as the two states do not coexist well.
As a relaxation posture which may involve cooling after exertion, extra clothing or covering may be necessary.
Asana
Asana is a body position, typically associated with the practice of Yoga, originally identified as a mastery of sitting still, with the spine as a conduit of biodynamic union...
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Etymology
The name comes from the Sanskrit words Shava (शव, Śava) meaning "corpse", and Asana (आसन, Āsana) meaning "posture" or "seat".Description
Pranayama
Pranayama is a Sanskrit word meaning "extension of the prana or breath" or more accurately, "extension of the life force". The word is composed of two Sanskrit words, Prāna, life force, or vital energy, particularly, the breath, and "āyāma", to extend, draw out, restrain, or...
. The whole body is relaxed onto the floor with an awareness of the chest and abdomen rising and falling with each breath. All parts of the body are scanned for muscular tension of any kind, which is consciously released as it is found, optionally with a small repetitive movement of the area. All control of the breath, the mind, and the body is then released for the duration of the posture, typically 20-30 minutes although often less in Western yoga classes.
The posture is released by slowly deepening the breath, flexing the fingers and toes, reaching the arms above the head, stretching the whole body, exhaling, bringing the knees to the chest and rolling over to the side in a fetal position. After a short time and a slow inhalation, the practitioner takes a seated position.
Following an asana practice ending in savasana, the body may be in the anabolic state of metabolism during which organ and muscle repair and development is occurring. Activities requiring the body to switch back to the highly active catabolic state of metabolism are therefore reintroduced sensitively, as the two states do not coexist well.
Contraindications and cautions
While savasana is a good way to reduce stress and tension, it is not recommended for meditation as it has a tendency to induce sleepiness. Drowsiness or restlessness of the mind while in savasana may be counteracted by increasing the rate and depth of breathing.As a relaxation posture which may involve cooling after exertion, extra clothing or covering may be necessary.