Lying in savasana, or corpse pose, I attempt to quiet my mind and let go of the distractions that continue to plague me. The purpose of this pose is to still the body and mind. The intention is to be awake, but completely relaxed. You use this time (5-10 minutes typically at the end of practice) to become still, focus on your breathing, and just let go. Savasana is one of the hardest poses during a yoga practice, not because it is physically demanding, but because it requires you to shut off your thoughts. This is difficult for a person like me with an extremely busy mind. I find myself constantly distracted by the other things I ‘should be doing’- by my lingering assignments or the pressure to be studying.
I took up yoga as a way to give back to myself. Not only is it a form of exercise, but it’s also a time for meditation. It is an exercise for your body and mind. I find it to be an extremely useful way to relieve stress and built-up tension. I come to my mat, take a deep breath, and make an intention to leave everything at the door. This is MY time. This is what I need to collect myself, build my self-esteem, and calm my racing mind.
Since I have begun practicing yoga, I have found myself better at managing stress, sleeping better, and reducing tension. I have definitely been treating myself better mentally and physically. Yoga isn’t a practice for everyone, but I do encourage everyone to try it. Each of us should have an outlet that benefits us mentally and physically. I promise that by taking care of yourself, body and mind, you will see a huge improvement in many aspects of your life.
