The Sweetness of Doing Nothing
- by Bhakti Prem
- Mar 6, 2019
- 2 min read
Shavasana: Yoganidrasana
The Corpse Pose.
Getting down to the basics regarding the asana or yoga pose for Radical Relaxation, everyone’s favorite posture — shavasana. Recently I learned that another scriptural name for shavasana is yoganidrasana.
The asana shavasana is usually the final pose in any yoga posture practice because it facilitates relaxation, restoration and integration of the preceding poses. Shavasana becomes yoganidrasana when it is held for a longer period of time in Yoga Nidra practice.
Yoganidrasana = yoga + nidra + asana
yoga = unity of body-mind-soul; homeostasis; nirvana
nidra = sleep
asana = posture, pose
Shavasana or yoganidrasana is the preferred pose for practicing Radical Relaxation. This is because the posture itself aids in the releasing of physical tensions, the first phase in the Yoga Nidra deep relaxation process.
Patajali Yoga Sutra 2.47 [sthira-sukham asanam], states that a yoga posture should be both comfortable [sukham] and steady-enduring [sthira.] This means that once you are established in the posture you should be so comfortable that it is natural and effortless to remain comfortable and steady for a longer period of time.
Why is this so important? Because as Bapuji-Shri Ashutosh Muni explains, the next sutra, 2.48 states: practicing asana with sthira-sukham establishes true relaxation — the sweetness of doing nothing!
The sweetness of doing nothing is the rarest of delicacies, for it is not the mere physicality of doing nothing that matters, but the accompanying mental and emotional stillness that is so poignant and valuable.
Shavasana is beloved because it is the most simple, comfortable and restful posture. With the longer holding of shavasana in Yoga Nidra, the dynamic of shavasana can shift. It is only through experience and experimentation with longer holding that one is able to determine what props are required in order to maintain comfort and endurance.
How to Practice
In general, yoganidrasana should be practiced with minimal accoutrements or props. The recommended props are:
yoga mat – to rest on
eye bag – to eliminate external light
blanket[s] – to maintain a comfortable body temperature [which drops while resting]
small pillow or folded blanket – to place under the head for extra cushion without elevating head [an airline size pillow is ideal.
Those are the basic props. If you are prone to lower back pain, having a cushion under the knees is usually helpful. Sretching or practicing a few postures prior to practice can go a long way in releasing physical tensions.
Keep in mind that through repeated practice and experience you will be able to become more and more comfortable, steady and relaxed. Radical Relaxation is a practice and like anything else, as you become more familiar with it you will become more relaxed and able to drop into the experience radical relaxation — the sweetness of doing nothing!
We hope you will consider attending one of our Radical Relaxation Classes as we continue to explore this amazing practice…
Jai Bhagwan!
[Salutations to the Divinity within you!]
May you be healthy and happy,
Bhakti
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