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Savasana

Savasana, Corpse Pose

Corpse Pose

"Bones, muscles, movement I surrender now; anxiety, elation and depression, churning thoughts all these I give into the hands of peace."

Sa-vaa-sa-na Sava = corpse, dead body

Instructions

Lie on your back and stretch your legs away from your head to lengthen your spine. Rest your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, letting them roll out to the sides. Stretch your shoulders down away from your ears. Move your shoulder blades down your back,  keeping them wide apart. Open your inner arms toward the ceiling, resting your hands (palms up) far enough away from your body to maintain an open feeling in your armpits. Lengthen through the back of your neck.

In this as in all relaxation poses, gaze toward the spiritual eye/ behind closed eyelids.

Breathe smoothly and naturally as you remain in this position and affirm mentally, "Bones, muscles, movement I surrender now; anxiety/ elation and depression, churning thoughts, all these I give into the hands of peace."

To return to an upright sitting position, bring your knees to your chest and roll over onto your right side. Pause/ then bring yourself upright by pressing into the floor with your left hand and right elbow. Let your head be the last body part to come up.