Practicing Shavasana.
Shavasana is a yoga pose just as important as the more physical asanas.
Rather than stretching and strengthening,
Shavasana is about relaxing with focus and awareness.
Remaining conscious and alert while still being at ease can help you begin to notice and release long-held tensions in both your body and your mind.
Like the other asanas,
This pose takes practice.
The aim of this practice is to quiet the mind and release tension in the body as you replenish your energy stores.
Moving into Shavasana now,
Finding a comfortable position,
Laying with your back flat on your mat.
Take a deep breath in.
.
.
And out.
Focus on your alignment.
Your legs may be stretched out long,
Feet slightly separated with your toes resting outward.
Or you may like to bend through the knees,
Bringing your heels up near your sit bones,
Knees gently resting inward.
Tuck the shoulder blades in to slightly raise your chest and gently lower your chin,
Lengthening through the spine.
Gently close over your eyes as you relax the muscles in your face.
Beginning with the forehead and eyelids,
Relaxing the cheeks,
Lips and tongue.
Soften your jaw,
Relax your throat,
Your neck.
Take a moment to settle here,
Becoming aware of your breath.
Allow your breath to flow smoothly in.
.
.
And out.
Quiet your mind,
Focus on your breath.
If the mind starts to wander,
Bring your awareness back to your breath.
Inhale,
Observe the thought.
Exhale,
Let the thought pass.
Inhale.
.
.
Exhale.
.
.
Inhale.
.
.
As you take the next five minutes out of your day to rest and rejuvenate your busy mind and your tired body,
Give yourself permission to let go of everything else that requires your attention.
In this very moment,
It is just you.
There is nothing required of you other than to just simply be.
Take a deep breath in.
.
.
And out.
Breathe out.
.
.
Feel the sensation as the fresh air enters your body.
Breathe out anything that does not serve you,
Any stagnant energy that has been building up.
Allow your head,
Shoulders and whole body to feel heavy as you sink deeper onto your mat with each breath.
Relax your arms,
Elbows,
Wrists.
Feel the sensation of the weightlessness in your hands as they lay open to the universe.
Feel your heart space rise on the inhale,
Melting deeper towards the earth's core on each exhale.
Relax your belly,
Allow your hips,
Your thighs to feel heavy and support your body.
Feel the sensation of the lightness in your hands as they lay open to the universe.
Breathe,
Allow your hips,
Your thighs to feel heavy and supported as you lay in stillness.
Loosening the knees,
The calf muscles,
The ankles,
Feet and toes.
Notice any tension in your body.
Breathe into that space,
Sending a nice,
Warm,
Healing light on the inhale.
Feeling the tension ease with each exhale.
Feeling the glow and warmth of that light in your heart space now.
With each breath the glow gets bigger,
Brighter and warmer.
Feeling the sensations and the warmth throughout your entire body.
Inhale,
Exhale.
Feel your heart with gratitude on the inhale.
Sending love directly to your body on the exhale.
Breathing in gratitude,
Breathing out love.
Sending love.
Sending love.
Begin to move your head from side to side.
Wriggle your fingers and your toes.
Gently open your eyes as you bring your awareness back to your surroundings.
Stretch out your arms and your legs.
Bend through one knee as you roll onto your side.
When you're ready,
Coming back to a seated position.
Bringing your hands together at your heart center.
Namaste.
Thank you for joining me in this practice today.
