If you are doing Savasana-corpse pose- for 21.5.800

21.5.800 program note: please sign up via my email subscription right over there in my side bar so that you will get my blogs during these 21 days about my own process and other interesting tidbits along the way to inspire, and encourage. #215800

If you are doing Savasana for all or any part of 21.5.800 then this post is for you.

Tomorrow we start, (June 8th), so I want you to have everything you need to begin.

I’ll say a bit about Savasana here and then below will give actual instructions for those of you who have never done it.

If you are wondering if you should do Savasana, I’ll say this: Rest is wildly and tragically under-utilized and under-valued in the modern world. We push and push and push ourselves to the point of exhaustion and then we drink more coffee to keep up with our lives. So. If you are fried, hate yoga, have several children under the age of three, just had a root canal, are exhausted, and/or are energetically behind the eight-ball in every way, PLEASE DO SAVASANA FOR THE 21 DAYS. I promise you the pose will do it’s magic.

Savasana. Sava means corpse and asana means posture or pose. So corpse pose is the translation from Sanskrit.

In Savasana, the idea is to imitate a corpse. Why would anyone want to do that you are thinking right?

Well, folks, one thing that a corpse is, is STILL. By remaining motionless for some time, and keeping the mind still while you are fully conscious, you LEARN TO RELAX. For a brief period the body, the mind , and the speech are still. All parts of the body, skin, muscles, and nerves are relaxed.

Savasana is the quintessential restorative pose. It is also a pose of letting go and non-clinging. Conscious relaxation invigorates and refreshes the mind and body.

Savasana teaches you how to be totally open to whatever comes into your field of awareness without reacting or judging. You notice your thoughts like a leaf floating down a river.

Traditionally, Savasana represents a transitional period between yoga practice and activities once you leave the mat and go back to the things you do.

The practice of Savasana brings a sound and refreshing sleep devoid of dreams. It is not simply lying flat on the back, it is a state of meditation.

It usually takes 10-15 minutes, in Savasana to become quiet and still enough to fully experience the great rejuvenating benefits of Savasana, so I encourage you to spend at least 15 minutes in the pose, but ideally, 15-30 would be like going on a retreat.

Please feel free to listen to Dr. Jeffery Thompson Awakened Mind while in Savasana here:

Instructions for Savasana:

1. Lie flat on your back with your legs stretched out and apart from each other so they naturally splay out to the sides. Move your arms slightly away form your torso and turn your palms upwards. Relax the hands. The fingers will naturally curl slightly inward.

2. Close the eyes. If possible place an eye bag or a piece of cloth across your eyes. Let the gaze of your eyes be softly cast downward toward the heart. This gaze helps relax the mind.

3. To begin, breathe deeply and slowly. Don’t try too hard at all, just breathe a few times in and out and then let the natural breath of relaxation do it’s thing. The mind follows the breath.

4. With every inhalation let the rib cage expand and become heavy circumferentially. With every exhalation, relax the body more fully.

5. Let the legs be heavy. Like tree trunks.

6. Let your lower jaw hang loose. Release any clenching in the jaw. Let your tongue fall to the back of your throat heavy and relaxed. Relax your throat.

7. If your mind is jumpy or wanders, just sweetly bring it back to the breath and be patient in the pose.

8. Visualize a beautiful, holy place.

(with heartfelt thanks to my yoga teacher, John Friend, of Anusara.com for his loving instruction to me over the years)

I think it’s best to set a timer so that you can just let go. Turn off your phones and all that stuff. Give yourself this time. At first it might be difficult. but stay with it and see what happens over the 21 days okay? Oh and blog about it and post your experiences!

You can use #215800 as the official hashtag, but say it like this: 21 5 800 okay?