Soaking Up Savasana – A 7-Day Devotion (for 5 tiny minutes!)
The last of summer brought more beautiful change, more lightness, more ease. We said our last goodbyes to our home of almost 12 years, and the house closed last week. It’s amazing how differently everything can feel when you let go. Everything rearranges itself, and brand new energies have room to find you. So good.
I’ve been filling up with pleasure. Visiting friends in gorgeous places, new tiny rituals with Andy. Daily trips to farmers markets for the freshest most seasonal foods. I’m loving it all. Pleasure is good…in so many ways.It reminds us of who we really are, of how good life is, and it allows us to shake things up a bit. To move out of stagnancy and bring in pieces of beauty, connection, joy.
And…if you’re anything like me, you feel things deeply. All sorts of things. A lot. You take things on. You think, muse, worry- not just the challenges in your own life. But those of your friends, your partner, your clients, your family, your beloved pets.
As practiced as I am at noticing when I am beginning to feel the weight of it, the spin of it, the drain…. I still go there, still spend more time there than I wish.
But I know how to get out, and get out fairly quickly. And one of my very best ways to clear the decks, come back to center, drop back into my body comes from my yoga practice.
If you’ve ever taken a yoga class, it’s likely you’ve spent time in Savasana (pronounced shah-VAHS-anna). Also known as Corpse Pose. Because you lie on the floor, on your back, arms gently resting away from your body, legs hip width and allowed to roll out.
A few years ago I took a seminar at Kripalu with Bo Forbes who was teaching about yoga and the nervous system- balancing depression or anxiety or even trauma with yoga.
So many of my clients struggle at least sometimes with at least one of the above. Depression and anxiety are not uncommon for sensitive women who feel things deeply. And you want beautiful ways to come back to balance, to feel better.
One of the best things I learned in that class was that when done regularly/daily, for just 5 minutes (tiny teensy amount of time), practicing Savasana rebalances your nervous system plus is better for metabolic syndrome and weight loss and many other conditions than 3 full yoga classes a week, or walking or many other things.
That is great big huge.
What do you do mid to late afternoon when you’re starting to get antsy. When you’re a bit depleted, sick of working, needing a break.
If you’re reaching for sugar, or something salty, or finding your self in a trance on Facebook, or cruising the online sales at Garnet Hill…..try this instead!.
If you have a yoga mat (I keep mine tucked under my desk) roll it on the floor. Close your computer, move your cell phone to another room. Set the intention to let everything go for just these few minutes- really. This is such a small amount of time, with such essential benefits and the power to restore you. If you can do this in a place with no electronics (interfering energy) even better.
Lie down. Say a little prayer of gratitude for this time. Ask to be rebalanced, restored, to feel peace. Ask for what you need. Then close your eyes.
Let your body sink into the floor. Feel your bones getting even heavier.
Breathe in and breathe out.
Long slow inhalations, and long slow deep exhalations.
And now soften. Everything. Whereever you’re holding tension or tightness. Wherever your mind is stuck in worry or holding…. soften it.
Keep breathing, nice and slowly, evenly, deeply.
Your nervous system gets the message that all is well. This is so good for your body- your hormones and your chemistry find their balance in seconds.
Your fear-driven left brain calms down.
Your breath connects you to the Divine, and your own Divine Identity.
Stay present, this isn’t about falling asleep or day dreaming. Just as best you can, notice your breath, your body, and keep focusing on softening every bit of your physical, mental, and emotional presence.
Notice without judgement. (that’s a good thing to practice… a bit piece of what mindfulness is about).
You will likely feel a good deal more relaxed and peaceful. Your body will love you. Your brain will thank you. Your whole being, your way of taking up space will have shifted. Your Intuitive Body will love love love you. Everything opens back into flow. Ahhh.
In only 5 minutes.
My invitation to you… let’s make this fun. A little challenge to make it interesting. A new devotion to reconnect with the beauty of who you are without the stuff that weighs you down.
My challenge and invitation to you is to create space to practice Savasana once daily for the next 7 days. This is one of the very best things you can do for yourself. In only 5 minutes. But really… just 5 minutes does it all. Kind of perfect, easy, powerful.
If you’re struggling with your eating, with stress, if you’re feeling uninspired overall, or overwhelmed by it all.. try this.
If you’re game, wander over to my blog and this blogpost and tell me you’re in! Or come to my Facebook page and post a photo of your yoga mat, or your favorite spot for your Savasana suffusion. Maybe even gather some props- some incense, tibetan bells, whatever makes it more beautiful for you.
We officially start tomorrow, for the next week.
Join me? Yes… I can’t wait to hear about your experiences and how you’re using this 5-minute-miracle. Oh.. .and there will be prizes!! Top commenters on this blog and my Facebook page will be getting a little something delicious! xox
With so much love, my heart to yours…
Lisa
Or…Know you want more? Ready to be done with something that’s keeping you stuck… to release habits that are depleting you? Email me at Lisa at IntuitiveBody dot com and I’ll tell you about my Meet Your Medicine Session. 90 minutes.
When you feel unwell it’s often because you aren’t expressing your own ‘medicine’. You may not even know what it is that you’re meant to bring forth and express in your life.My medicine helps me to help you clarify and understand yours. The all-ness you’re meant to encompass. The power and beauty that are yours alone. Ready? Email me or use the contact form on this site. xox
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