The Power of Savasana
- Rebecca James
- Nov 11
- 2 min read
We so often think of savasana - “corpse pose” - as the part of class where nothing much happens. For some, it’s the nap at the end. For others, it’s the time when the to-do list creeps back in. Yet within the yogic tradition, savasana is far from an afterthought. It is the heart of practice.
Rest as the Core, Not the Reward
The busyness of modern life has trained us to value doing over being. But savasana reminds us that rest is not the absence of yoga; it is yoga. To lie still, to release effort, to allow the body to soften into the ground - this is the practice of surrender, and surrender is no small thing.
Physiologically, savasana guides the nervous system toward parasympathetic rest. The heart rate slows, muscles release, digestion resumes its rhythm. Psychologically, it is the space where the effects of practice are integrated. Without it, asana remains incomplete, like planting seeds but never letting them settle into the soil.
Symbolism of the “Corpse Pose”
Savasana literally means “corpse pose.” That can sound morbid, but yogis have long seen death not as an end but as a teacher. In lying still, we rehearse letting go. We allow the small ego - the endless doing, striving, clinging - to dissolve, even for a few minutes. Each savasana is a chance to practice dying a little, so we can live with more presence when we rise.
Practical Depth
True savasana is not just lying down. It is an intentional practice:
Let the body become heavy, sinking into the earth.
Allow the breath to soften and move naturally.
Witness the waves of thought without chasing them.
Trust that stillness itself is the teacher.
Even a five-minute savasana can reset the system. At home, try using a folded blanket under your head, cushions beneath the knees, and a warm cover over the body. Comfort opens the door to depth.
Returning to Stillness
As the nights lengthen in November, savasana teaches us to value stillness, not as a luxury but as a necessity. To pause. To let go. To rest deeply enough that something within can quietly reawaken.
So next time you arrive at savasana, don’t see it as the end of practice. See it as the practice itself.
To rest is radical. To rest is yoga.
We'd love to invite you to our rest praticeses this winter. Look out for:
Monthly Deep Rest - Restore & Yoga Nidra
The Cold Moon Ritual
Winter Solstice Afternoon Retreat
And our Restore and Yin classes through the week.
Classes: https://www.sarvanga.co.uk/classes
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