There are several different types of yoga poses and each has its own unique benefits. As yoga is found in more gyms, there is a tendency to skip or rush through the relaxation portion of the practice in favor of more time spent attempting to sculpt the body. This is a mistake because relaxation poses offer important benefits.
Relaxation poses offer physical, emotional and spiritual benefits. The best known relaxation pose is savasana, or corpse pose. This is the pose that is done at the end of most yoga classes. You lie on your back on the mat with your arms to your sides and palms facing up and relax the entire body.
In restorative yoga, yoga nidra and other practices with a strong focus on relaxation, the time spent in corpse pose is significantly longer than in the typical class at the gym or yoga DVD. Blankets, rolled towels and pillows can be used to achieve complete relaxation and you can remain in the pose for more time, depending on the level of relaxation desired.
Although corpse pose is the pose most often associated with relaxation, it is not the only relaxation pose. Other asanas to try for relaxation include supine twist, child’s pose, and crocodile pose.
Stress relief is one of the main benefits of relaxation poses. Feelings of stress and anxiety are pervasive in modern society. In fact, stress has become the norm. We all experience it and have come to expect some level of stress in daily life. The relaxation and restorative benefits of yoga allow us to release the tension and let go of the stress. If you practice it enough, not feeling stressed becomes a habit.
Life is hurried for everyone. We rush from work to home to our many commitments without taking time to relax in the moment. The time spent in relaxation poses helps to take that time to clear the mind and just sit and breathe. It’s important to take this time, even for just a few minutes to connect.
More attention is paid to the breath during relaxation poses. The slow deep breathing brings more oxygen to the body and relaxes the body and soothes the mind. In addition, learning better breathing techniques is good for the lungs and this benefits the entire body with better oxygenation.