Don't forget to "spring
forward" and set your clocks one hour ahead this Saturday
night before you go to bed! This part of daylight savings
time can be a bit of a challenge on the body since you lose
an hour. So, for the first relaunch of my "asana of the
month" I have chosen a very important pose: Savasana. This
is typically used at the end of your practice in order to
let the body integrate all the work you have just done.
Although we tend to think of Savasana as the final
resting pose to our asana practice, it can be used at any
time. I suggest practicing Savasana on those days when you
don't have enough time for your full practice, but really
need to spend a bit of quiet time with yourself in order to
re-group, rejuvenate, and re-direct your energy. The
translation of Savasana is "corpse pose." It is a surrender
pose where you should let your thoughts go, and keep the
focus on your breath.
Lie Comfortably on the floor with your arms out to your
sides, a few inches away from the body , palms face up, and
legs stretched out--let your feet fall away from one
another. If you have any low back issues place a bolster or
rolled blanket under your knees. You can also support the
neck with a small rolled blanket or towel and cover your
eyes with an eye bag (or a small dry wash cloth if you don't
have an eye bag). As you close your eyes take a nice deep
breath and let the body soften and release. Some people like
to let themselves feel light as if they were floating and
some people like to let themsleves feel heavy and grounded
as if they were settling into the earth. The main idea is to
let the body go and focus on your breath. Try to simply
observe the breath rather than directing it one way or
another. Stay for at least five minutes (I suggest setting a
timer so you don't need to open the eyes and check the
clock). Come out of the pose slowly; roll to your right side
stay there for a few breaths and then slowly sit up.
You can look for this pose soon on my website under the
"asana of the month" button.
Meanwhile enjoy practicing and pass this on to anyone
else you know that might benefit from the information.
Don't forget to register for my Green Gulch Retreat in
Sausalito by April 10, 2006 and receive a one hour private
yoga session. Hope to see you there!
Blessings and Namaste,
Sandy
