Do you get to the end of your yoga practice and have the urge to rush or skip savasana?  You're not alone.  Especially during a home practice, it's common to close your practice up quickly, not realizing that you're skipping one of the most important parts.  Even during a group yoga practice, it's very common to feel like your mind is running to where you need to be next instead of absorbing the true benefits of savasana. 

Don't be hard on yourself, it makes sense that in this fast-paced world we would be quick to move on to the next thing...BUT there are so many true and incredible benefits to savasana that once you learn about them, they are hard to ignore.  Being with the discomfort of resting in the present moment amongst the chaos is part of the essence of savasana.

See you in savasana.

Eoin Finn of Blissology Yoga says "Missing Savasana is like taking the time to mix a cake batter but not stick it in the oven to bake. This small chunk of time completely changes the mental and physical benefits of the practice."   Cake batter is yummy, but definitely not the real delicious deal.

Scroll down for our 7 reasons why you should never rush or skip savasana.

I'm breaking it down. Here are 7 reasons why you should never rush or skip savasana.

1.  PHYSICAL BENEFITS

According to the International Journal of Exclusive Management Research, a regular savasana practice helps to reduce blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, headache, fatigue, mild depression and muscle tension; helps to increase energy, memory, relaxation, focus, concentration and self-confidence; helps to stimulate blood circulation; helps to calm down the mind and to refresh and rejuvenate the body.

2.  STIMULATES YOUR PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Our parasympathetic nervous system is our rest and digest response.  Our sympathetic nervous system is our fight or flight response.  Savasana activates our parasympathetic nervous system which has incredible benefits to our minds, bodies and lives (we typically operate in a place where our sympathetic nervous system is very active, flooding our system with adrenaline and cortisol).  In the parasympathetic state, we feel a sweet release and calm.  Long-term practice of savasana and activation of our parasympathetic nervous system teaches us to activate this system more off of our mats as well.

3.  IT CALMS YOUR MIND

Savasana allows the opportunity to move to a quiet, present, deep and meditative state which produces calmness in our minds. 

Missing Savasana is like taking the time to mix a cake batter but not stick it in the oven to bake.

- Eoin FINN, BLISSOLOGY YOGA

4.  IT CALMS YOUR BODY

After a more yang state of movement and energy, finding stillness in savasana brings you to a more yin state, providing much rejuvenation.

5.  TRANSITION BACK TO THE NORM

Practicing savasana after movement helps to transition you back to your normal life off of your yoga mat, refreshing your energy and letting go of anything that might have come up during your practice.  If you hop off your mat too quickly, some teachers believe that you will feel tired or emotionally unbalanced throughout the rest of your day.

6.  ABSORB THE BENEFITS OF YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

You stimulate so many different aspects of both your mind and body during your yoga practice.  By taking time at the end of your practice to rest, you are allowing for restoration and the chance for all of the new information and processes to catch up.

7.  YOU HAD ME AT SAVASANA

Once you integrate savasana regularly (it definitely takes much discipline at first), you'll start to crave it and maybe even begin to give yourself more time in it.  You'll start to be able to reach your present state much sooner and without conflict.  You'll begin to feel the actual benefits that this important part of your practice has.

Next time you roll out your mat at home, near the waves or in your favorite studio space, be sure to carve time into your practice for savasana and commit to sticking to it.  Even if you just begin with a minute at first and increase it over time, you're taking the steps to a strong future savasana practice.  Over time and with consistency, you'll start to crave yoga's arguably most beneficial pose.

See you in savasana, Namaste.

Love, Jenny

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