Shavasana

[RiverSnake]

Been experimenting with a bit with shavasana after my morning yoga as well as taking naps and also sleeping In it. I know many yoga books consider this the most important pose as its suppose to balance out and equally distribute the prana In ones body.

 

My observation has been that it really creates a major shifts in chi In the body and I feel much more rested and refreshed when I sleep in it and can feel the prank oozing on the surface of my hands. I can often feel prana saturating certain areas of the body when I lay in the pose as well.

 

I was wondering if others could share their insights on why Shavasana is considered such an important pose and elaborate it's on various levels, physical, mental and energetic benefits from a cultivation perspective. It seems to me like very powerful posture.

 

My 2 cents, Peace

Edited January 14, 2013 by OldGreen

[dwai]

I found shavasana very powerful. It has helped going beyond the mind... Key is patience.

 

Depending on your energy level you could sleep or be in such a total state of relaxation that you hear yourself snoring softly - but really you are awake/aware.

 

Shavasana neutralizes the effect of gravity on your body relaxation is possible easily. With relaxation physical tensions release and chi/prana flows. As chi permeates the body it automatically increases relaxation.

 

Then it is possible to turn attention to the mind stream. And let go as thoughts rise and evaporate...resting in the gap as it elongates -- pure consciousness untouched by objects

[gatito]

...

Edited July 17, 2015 by gatito

[dwai]

I found shavasana very powerful. It has helped going beyond the mind... Key is patience.

 

Depending on your energy level you could sleep or be in such a total state of relaxation that you hear yourself snoring softly - but really you are awake/aware.

 

Shavasana neutralizes the effect of gravity on your body relaxation is possible easily. With relaxation physical tensions release and chi/prana flows. As chi permeates the body it automatically increases relaxation.

 

Then it is possible to turn attention to the mind stream. And let go as thoughts rise and evaporate...resting in the gap as it elongates -- pure consciousness untouched by objects

 

Another thing I forgot to mention is that for good shavasana be in a place where you will be shielded from sudden noises etc. it is very disturbing to get interrupted when you are at the periphery of immersion into deeper stages. Also set it up so you can really spend time in shavasana ie not worry about going somewhere else Or doing something else after.

 

Also key is to be comfortable but not on a mattress or too soft a surface. Ie shavasana is best not done on your bed or couch

[Flolfolil]

Yoga Nidra

 

all the classes in my town that deal with this are at 8 in the morning

 

i am already asleep at that time! lol

[suninmyeyes]

Doing it before going to sleep is also good,it changes the quality of sleep and dreaming .

[i am]

Perfect topic before I'm about to head to class, which has been on sabbatical since the week before christmas. I can always hear my instructor in my head when I'm practicing on my own, saying "it's time now for shavasana..."...

[RiverSnake]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Glad to here you got some benefits Rainbow.

 

My 2 cents, Peace

[RiverSnake]

Twisted my ankle recently playing some basketball. One of the thing my friends said to me was that I should keep my foot elevated above my heart level in order to restrict blood flow to the area so it doesn't become inflamed. As I got back home and laid down in bed I realized that shavasana is one of the few positions that the entire body is equal in height to the heart.

 

That would mean that blood flow is equally distributed to the entire body along with chi/piraña. Thought this was interesting.

 

My 2 cents, Peace

[RiverSnake]

I have found that one of the biggest opponents to ones practice is food. When were full we have difficulty with meditating or practice chi kung.

 

However, i order to still practice and not waste any time i have found shavasana quite useful because we can just lay in this posture whether were full of food or not…..and energy seems to circulate throughout the body without us doin a darn thing.

 

My 2 cents, Peace

[EarthDragon]

Shavasana is always wonderful at the end of the practice for all the physical reasons and in a way I feel its the ultimate yin pose.

 

Being open and receptive to whatever may blossom in the mind, not knowing anything but your breath and how wonderful you feel just being.

 

I often have to remind myself not to want it to badly or it will become the goal of my practice!