Recently, I have noticed a growing number of yoga practices that are leaving out savasana, or corpse pose, at the end of the class. At first I dismissed the trend by considering the source. I have been trying some practices on Exercise TV on demand and many of these practices seem to be a strange combination of aerobics and yoga.
Even a few of the night time yoga practices on demand leave out savasana at the end of the practice. How strange, considering the practice is designed to relax the body and mind before going to sleep at night. Wouldn’t savasana be the only logical way to end the practice?
I’ve also had a few friends who go to different yoga studios tell me some of the classes have left out or severely shortened the time spent in savasana. There are several reasons why this is not a good idea. Even if you are taking a power yoga class to lose weight, ending in savasana offers many benefits.
Resting in corpse pose completely relaxes the body and mind and soothes the spirit. As you are lying in savasana, you can feel and intentionally release any tension in the body. The longer you stay in this pose, the more your body will melt into the ground and all tension and anxiety will dissipate.
When you include savasana in your practice, you are more likely to take the calm feeling of yoga class off the mat and into your daily life. When you are relaxed, centered and refreshed, you are less likely to react poorly to problems in life, whether it is the kids fighting or an issue at the office.
Some people believe that savasana also has healing benefits. When the body is relaxed, tension and stress are reduced, which supports the body’s innate healing process.
Even when savasana is done, it is often shortened to no more than a minute or two. Depending on the source, yoga experts recommend a minimum of five to fifteen minutes spent in corpse pose. This allows the body to fully relax.
If you find corpse pose being shortened or eliminated in your yoga class, talk to your instructor and request that at least five minutes be devoted to relaxation at the end of the class. If you are practicing at home, you can play music or enjoy the silence after the DVD has shut off to relax completely in corpse pose before moving into your busy day.