You may not know it, but you may have already practiced the hardest yoga pose there is: Shavasana, or corpse pose. This is the final pose of any yoga practice, also called relaxation pose, which has you lying flat on your yoga mat with your eyes closed, looking like you are asleep.
The Most Difficult Yoga Pose
Sometimes, you might actually fall asleep in these blissful ten minutes that follow your asana practice. If so, this is a good sign that you are not getting enough sleep. Otherwise, corpse pose is a relaxation pose designed to rejuvenate your body and your brain through profound relaxation.
Thinking about Not Thinking
It is called the hardest yoga pose, because in Shavasana you are meant to completely surrender all physical and mental effort. When you enter this pose, I am sure you immediately notice how much your body wants to hold onto little pockets of tension. Even more so, you may notice how much your mind wants to keep thinking about the details of your life, like what you should make for dinner.
Tranquility Tips
A skilled yoga teacher should be able to lead you into a deep state of concentration that seamlessly flows from your asana series through verbal cues and visualization techniques. If you are practicing on your own, or having difficulty letting go into corpse pose, then try the following:
If you wear glasses, take them off so your facial muscles are totally relaxed. If you have a yoga strap, or an extra piece of clothing, drape it across your eyes to block out light and keep your eyelids closed.
To control the runaway train of thoughts that will inevitably gain speed once you stop moving, let your awareness drop into your body. Avoid thinking about relaxing by scanning your body from tip to toe, noticing particular sensations that are present there, and inviting each part to be heavy and soft. Soon, you will find yourself in a peaceful state called yoga nidra.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra, also called yogic sleep, is the state between being awake and being asleep. In Yoga Nidra, you experience a state of profound rest, yet maintain lucidity. The goal of Shivasana is to enter this state of relaxation, which replenishes your energy and allows your body to absorb the benefits of your yoga practice.
Relaxation and Stress
Relaxation is a natural antidote for stress. When you relax, your nervous system works best. In this state, it can scan and regulate any imbalances in your body.
Relaxation also allows your endocrine system to function optimally, as it mixes and sends hormones through to regulate organ functions. These systems, when at their best, keep your immune system strong, boosting your capacity to heal by combating stress.
In sum, Shivasana is the toughest yoga pose because it asks you to perfect the art of effortless effort, a confusing and frustrating concept. Like the toughest trials in life, the toughest yoga pose has, arguably, the greatest benefits, by treating stress — the cause of so many modern-day illnesses.