Fitness
The lowdown on everyone’s favorite pose.
After powering through a yoga class, nothing feels better than laying back into a cozy, reclined savasana.
But how long should savasana be in order for the restful posture to do its job?
Think of it as similar to meditating its not always easy to embrace stillness.
Savasana is also a deep form of rest similar toyoga nidrathat can be incrediblyregenerative to your body and mind.
The pose brings us tothe parasympathetic state, calming the nervous system, she says.
This helps us to reset and is highly effective for relieving stress and anxiety as well asaiding digestion.
Savasana is a moment for us to no longer be humans doing things, but rather humans being.
- Lie on a comfortable surface, like your mat.
Use a blanket, bolster, or block to confirm your body feels supported.
Extend your legs straight and let your arms rest by your sides.
Close your eyes.
Relax the space between your eyebrows, or wherever else you hold tension.
Let all your muscles relax so it feels like your body is melting into the mat.
Gently bring your awareness to your breath, allowing for natural fluctuation of your inhales and exhales.
With every inhale, feel the oxygen expanding through your body.
With every exhale, begin to release any tension in your body.
Stay as long as you need.
- Turn onto your side and push yourself up to a seated position.
How Long Should Savasana Be?
By the 10-minute mark, you should feel totally relaxed.
In general, its best to stay in savasana until the teacher guides your attention back to the room.
Start by tacking a minute or two onto the end of your stretch and see how it feels.
Once youre situated,check in with yourself.
If you aren’t in a dark room, placing something over your eyes could be lovely as well.
2022;6(1):61-84. doi: 10.1007/s41782-022-00202-7.
Epub 2022 Apr 23.
PMID: 35496325; PMCID: PMC9033521.
