Shavasana-Why We Call It An Asana?

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The common understanding of asanas is a pose involving twists, stretches and balancing of the body. But, when you are asked to lie down and do nothing, can it still be called an asana? This is the case with Shavasana, also called the Corpse Pose or the Mritasana. At first, let us understand that the literal meaning of an ‘asana’ is ‘posture’ and it can be any posture. If you are familiar with a number of yoga postures, you would know that these are based on how various animals, birds, and other living being including humans sit, stand, walk, run, sleep or respond to a particular situation. So, Savasana is also a posture within this meaning of the word ‘asana’ and, therefore, is an asana.

If you think that you do not have to do anything in this pose, except lying down, you are gravely mistaken. This means that you have not understood the profoundness of this pose. It is important to remember that this pose requires you to be in complete relaxed state of mind. Bringing about that state is not easy. You have to remain extremely focused on going about relaxing the tensions in the muscles right from the toes to the head. The attention has to move in slow manner, all through the body, from one point to another, allowing time for the muscles to relax. All thoughts which come in the way have to be kept at bay while doing this exercise.

When you become totally mindful about being relaxed while doing Shavasana, the true beauty of the pose is realized. The level of mental peace attained is something which you would not like to forego ever. In this stage, even a single movement of body or muscle and even breathing looks like an impediment to this blissful state. It is when this state is reached that one becomes completely motionless while remaining awake.

Due to state of mental relaxation attained while doing this pose, the people often fall asleep. Since the correct way of doing this pose requires you not to confront or oppose anything, even sleep shall not be opposed. If it comes, let it come and be asleep. After a few minutes, you will wake up completely refreshed. For this reason, this asana is also a treatment for problem of insomnia.

The best times to do Savasana

There is no specific time when this shall be practiced. Whenever you are in a little relaxed state of mind, having accomplished all tasks which you have to do during the day, you can practice it. Even during a hectic schedule, you can take time out if you are craving to do this asana. These cravings do happen when are looking for that relaxed state of mind which you have experienced before while doing it. However, my experience is that it is best done in evenings or before going to bed after a gap of about 3 hours after dinner. This improves the quality of sleep as well.

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