Savasana, the Resting pose

Savasana is sometimes called the "corpse pose", but I don't care for that word so we'll just call it the resting pose.

This pose is the very last pose you should do in any yoga practice. It is essential for gentle yoga, through power yoga and any variations in between.

Think about it this way...

Basic yoga poses realign your body, improve posture, massage inner organs and the nervous system. Relax and renew you. This is the pose where your body absorbs all the benefits. Practice some of these basic poses before your savasana. The benefits to savasana are simple: It is a resting pose. Allow your self time to rest your brain and your body. It is a stress relieving, tension melting, high blood pressure reducing pose.

Have a small pillow available and a blanket.Practice this pose in a quiet, warm, dark room, maybe with some soft lighting.

At the end of your physical posture practice, lie back on your mat. Place your arms by your sides with your palms facing upward (this allows your shoulders to open). Place your feet together then allow them to fall out to the sides.

Keep your head in line with the rest of your spine to promote that postural alignment you've worked on. Place a small pillow or folded blanket under your head if it is uncomfortable on the floor.

Cover you body with a blanket if needed. You will be surprised at how fast your body cools down in this pose.

As you breathe comfortably allow your breath to travel throughout your body - slowly - all the way down to your toes and then back up to your head. While your breath travels, scan your body for any tension, tightness, or stress you feel. Let your breath sit a little longer in those areas. Visualize your inhaled breath moving right into tight spots and then allow any tensions to melt away on your exhale.

Then simply breathe normally and let your muscles melt into the mat. Stay here in this resting pose for 5 - 10 minutes.

When you are ready to move, stretch your arms over your head and take a nice leisurely body stretch through your fingers and toes.Bring your knees in towards your chest one at a time.

Roll over onto your right side into a fetal position. Rest here for a couple of breaths.

Use your left hand at your heart center to help you up to a seated position.

Sit with your eyes closed in your easy seated position while resting your palms on your legs.

Hold here for a couple of breaths to let your body adjust to being upright before you get up.

When you are ready, inhale your arms up towards the sky, palms touching. Bring your pressed palms down to the center of your chest. Thank yourself for this work you have done and for resting in savasana to realign and renew.

Namaste