Taking savasana one step further

“There is so much more to relaxation than meets the eye. Many people think that relaxation is just about de-stressing the mind and body in order to feel better. Of course it is a very effective way to do this and really works to dissolve stress, but its real purpose, as with everything in Yoga, is much more profound. When relaxation is guided by a skilful Yoga practitioner the potential for self change is quite extraordinary.
   In deep relaxation, the mind is taken to a place between waking and sleeping similar to the hypnotic trance state where the mind is exceptionally receptive to suggestion. In this state, where the conscious mind is not engaged, it’s possible to absorb knowledge and access artistic and poetic inspiration. It’s also the state that scientists tap into when making great discoveries.
   Any positive thoughts or affirmations introduced into the relaxation process at this stage will have a very beneficial effect and potential for transformation at the deepest level. Great yogis actually use the semi-hypnotic state of deep relaxation to direct the mind to accomplish whatever they want to achieve.

Relaxation is an art
Every day we accumulate many different tensions, even if you consider yourself to be a very relaxed person. If the mind is tense, then the muscles of the body reflect that tension. Even if you were to lie in bed all day, you would still collect tensions from not moving, from boredom or just too much thinking without doing. Everything has a knock on effect on everything else so that if you have tension in one place, it will transmit to another. If you have stomach tension, it will affect your whole circulatory system. If you are worrying about your children, it can make your shoulders and neck tense. If you are worrying about money, your lower back may reflect the tension and so on...”

   The article, which is written by Yamuna, continues to discuss the three basic types of tension in yogic philosophy, and describes the moon sequence in detail, as a means of preparing the practitioner to receive the full benefits of Savasana (corpse pose). The sequence is reproduced courtesy of DRU YOGA by Chris Barrington, Anita Goswami and Annie Jones, Dru Publications. Yoga & Health readers can try the Dru Yoga online studio (www.druyogaonlinestudio.com) free for two weeks. See page 17 of the February 2009 issue of the magazine for coupon code details.