| Description
Shavasana is a wonderful relaxation technique
which manages stress and gives many benefits of mental and
physical relaxation.
Shava is a dead body. In this asana, we assume a still and
stable posture just like a dead body. So it is called Shavasana.
Benefits
Physical
As shavasana is a wonderful relaxation technique,
it is useful for a number of psychosomatic diseases like hypertension
or problems such as heart disease, colitis or irritable bowel
syndrome
Mental
Shavasana leads to relaxation and meditative
state.
Pranic
Affects ajna chakra.
Techniques
- Lie supine on the ground with legs six to nine inches
apart from each other. Keep the heels inwards and toes
out. Keep both the hands three to six inches away from
the body, palms facing the roof, keep fingers relaxed.
- Keep the neck relaxed and turn the head slightly to
your right or left, Keep the eyes closed.
- After you reach this final position, don`t move your
body in any manner for a few minutes. Close your eyes
and maintain your awareness throughout the practice.
- Beware of your natural breath and allow your breath
to flow freely and naturally, without any mental or physical
efforts.
- Take autosuggestion and shifting awareness from toes
to head one by one, imagine relaxation of the different
parts of your body one by one.
- Initially you can take the help of your teacher for
suggestions. When you suggest yourself to relax parts
of your body one by one, be aware of that part of your
body and feel the change in your body allowing it to continue.
Even if you feel a slight pain or strain in that part
of your body which you are imagining as relaxed, just
be with change and allow the change to continue.
- Maintain the final posture as long as you wish to.
Cautions
Don`t leave Shavasana in a haste even if
somebody disturbs you while you are doing it. Continue the
asana till you settle and then come out very gradually. Try
to make sure you are not disturbed by the telephone calls
or door bell during shavasana. Tell somebody to attend the
calls disconnect the phone for a while.
Duration
15 min to 1hr. depending upon the need and
as per the availability of time, at least twice a day.
Please remember that no practice can be adequately learned
from a book, written instructions. The guidelines given in
the web pages are intended to give you an introduction to
different yogic postures. However, it is advised to practice
the asanas under the guidance of a Guru or a qualified yoga
instructor.
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