I think it was one of my old, sadistic Iyengar teachers who said that savasana was the hardest pose EVAH. I have to admit it is pretty difficult for me too, because I hover so closely between sleep and consciousness during the day anyway. And when I get to savasana after an exhausting practice, I just conk out.
At the end of this morning's practice I decided to go for it. I was so tired from the weekend of activities; I didn't even have a catch-up nap on Saturday to get me through the coming week. So after doing my half 2s, I pulled out my Hello Kitty lucky eye pillow (made by ever craft-y Laksmi) and immediately flaked out for 15 minutes. Just what I needed.
Lax came for her first mysore in a long time (Yay!). She even noticed that I took this unusual rest and mentioned that I snored. Not too loud, but loud enough. Yeah, I'm a snorer. Sorry! I apologize to everyone who's ever been in a class with me and had to endure it, past, present and future.
At least I didn't pop a boner like the dude in the pic. Photo credits go to Bindu Magazine.
13 comments:
Years I omitted savasana. I thought I don't need it.
Now I do it and I profit so much from it. Even after an intensive practice I realize that my face needs to relax. To let go. That's what this pose tells me - let go, be in the present moment.
Now I like the pose.
I use my meditation clock when I do it. I give this pose 5 minutes.
Cheers.
Ursula
I think five minutes is the minimum! Not that I can stay there really. I'm okay if it's a led environment but on my own I have a tendency to get very very restless!
Hi annabella,
oh, you are so right, 5 min is the minimum, but you know I do not have much time. :)
It's not just yoga gurus that think shavasana is challenging. Lying down is a standard Taoist meditation position too and it's considered to be very advanced due to the difficulty of keeping one's mind steady, without falling asleep.
Why is it that Iyengar-influenced teachers are bossy control freaks? That's also been my experience.
suzie
Ursula, Annabella & Carl: There is an elusive and appealing quality of this pose that makes it so interesting. You're relaxed yet your mind is going for a psychelic ride.
On a side note, I like it when the teacher says, "Take rest!" That tells me we're not doing sivasana, but having nappy time.
Suzie: Yeah, you said it. A lot of these folks seem to drain the all the life and vitality that yoga has to offer. Maybe that has to do with his supreme grumpyness: BKSI. My favorite quote from him or one of his his disciples: "If I had a pose like that, I'd kill myself!"
Did BKSI really say that?!? I remember reading something a long time ago about Elizabeth Hurley saying that if she had hips as wide as Marilyn Monroe's were, that she'd kill herself. Personally, I'd probably kill myself if I were Elizabeth Hurley. But I digress.
I think I am a borderline narcoleptic, so it is not a problem for me to fall asleep anywhere, anytime, in any position and in anybody's presence. But ashtanga wires me up and I do not fall asleep in Savasana. Not even once, which is quite amazing for me. And I adore Savasana!
Alfia, me too borderline narcoleptic!
Maybe next time I savasana I can try to stay there the full five minutes and see what happens. If I can do it I shall report back.
yeah, there was no boner, just that solid package. (blush! I never look THERE!). Hey, I was really super proud of you for taking a long sivasana. You always have a quick little lie down, and I always feel sorry for you. Sivasana is the only reason I do yoga.
where were you? i brought something back for you...
i can't keep up with your hilarious comments!
Lax, i was in Van again this weekend.
well where are you now???? I must give you this gift! (it's really not that great, but I DID think of you)
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