[1:40] Shannon shares her thoughts on the time after savasana

[5:35] What Shannon tries to avoid in the post savasana time

[9:12] What Shannon likes to include in each class after savasana

[12:40] What Shannon sometimes includes after savasana

[18:30] Thoughts on savasana from some of our Connected Yoga Teachers

Thanks to those of you who shared your thoughts:

Amanda Eriksen of Rising Crow Yoga
Cathy Scott
Rosslyn Kemerer of Wholehearter Yoga
Maisie Kennedy of Grace Yoga
Emily McConnell
Joanne Pettit-Myers of Bend Yoga Studio
Vicki Rowsell of Everywhere Yoga

Links:

Guided Savasana by Shannon on The Connected Yoga Teacher Live Show

Metta Meditation

We Have Come to Be Danced Poem by Jewel Mathieson (full poem below)

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After Savasana

by Shannon Crow

Think back to the last time you were in a yoga class and had a great savasana. Remember how you felt as the teacher slowly guided you back to seated with eyes open. What happened next? An OM to close maybe. Then what?

Since I began yoga, I notice how vital savasana is to my well-being. Life throws things at me that deplete and yoga (especially the yin aspects of relaxation and restorative yoga) fill me up again. Funny thing though – savasana is also the part that I most often skip when practicing at home. Thoughts of laundry needing to be switched or a child with a question that leads me to an action can lead me to deprive myself of this much-needed rejuvenation time.

Sometimes I switch things up and start with savasana or add it to the middle of my practice, but it isn’t the same as an end of practice one.

When I teach classes students often say that savasana is their favourite part. They come to sitting and they look different than when they came to class.

In a community class, when I am the student, I love savasana because it is expected that I stay still and there. There isn’t anything else I could do, (except fidget or leave). I settle in and make myself super comfortable, drifting into a blissful state. I feel refreshed and ready to take on anything as I slowly come back to sitting. I am also a little groggy and quieter than normal.

This is not the time to ask me math questions or to play loud dance music. At the end of a yoga class I want that deep peace to last as long as possible.

In the past year I have begun to look more in depth at how I can hold space for students as they come out of savasana.

I am a bit embarrassed to think of how I have ended my classes sometimes, but I know that if I share how I have evolved through experience – it may give you more insights on how to nurture the rejuvenating space that students are craving.

We put so much time, thought and work into creating a class that unwinds body and mind, but we may be neglecting another aspect of class — the after savasana time.

What I (Now) Avoid After Savasana:

1. Talk of future classes, workshops and events. One of my goals for each yoga class to bring students into the present moment. Students are there in their happy place. Now is not the time to start calling out dates and times and bringing them to the visualization of their already full calendar. The time to bring this up is at the beginning of class, in a newsletter, on social media and during the class — if the opportunity arises. For example – I may plan to incorporate two restorative yoga postures in a class, then tell students that if they enjoyed them, then they can attend a workshop on restorative yoga that the studio is offering.
   

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2. More yoga poses and thoughts on the theme of the class. Together students and I close the practice. If I missed something, I can write it down include it next week or in a blog or newsletter. No need to tell students that I missed something. Students may have questions about the class – for that, see the “What I Include After Savasana” below.

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   My life news.This is maybe the hardest (for me) because the students that attend classes with me on a regular basis do often stick around to chat and ask questions about my life, my garden and my kids. I answer them, but at the same time I am careful not to be offering too much. I found this balance in Thai Yoga Massage. Often people like silence in relaxation and massage, but when you get to know a client well – they sometimes like to visit and share. I came up with a general rule. I answer questions simply and I avoid expanding on thoughts or initiating a conversation topic. Those of you who know me, know I love a great conversation, so this is a great mindful practice.

Rest deeply in Savasana every day. Always enter that pratyahara (withdrawn state) every day. And just enjoy yourself.” — Judith Hanson Lasater

What I (Still) Include After Savasana:

1. An offer to answer questions. Usually I say something like, “Feel free to ask me any questions about today’s practice or yoga in general. I am here for fifteen minutes before our next class arrives.” at the end of class. Often students do approach me with a comment or question. I answer what I can and write down any questions I plan to look into further. Sometimes an inspiration for our next class comes out of these questions.

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   A goodbye to everyone. I try to use everyone’s first name as they go out of the studio to wish them a good evening/week. This can be tricky when I am in conversation with a student or if I am helping to clear props, or doing the paperwork but it is something I aim for.

Do you have a trick to help stay in savasana in an at-home practice? What do you like to include or exclude in the after savasana time for your own practice or for the classes you guide? Feel free to share in the comments below.

What I sometimes (but not always) include after savasana:

1. Meditation

My first yoga teacher training was with Sat Dharam Kaur, ND in the Kundalini Yoga tradition. That was my first experience with meditation after savasana. It makes sense when you think about it. Asanas were designed to prepare the body/mind for meditation. If you have not done a yoga practice with meditation after savasana – give it a try. If you enjoy it – share it with your students. Maybe prepare them for it by talking about it at the beginning of the class and starting with a short time of meditation first.

2. Om

I often will close practice with an OM shared by everyone, but I like to emphasize that it is a choice to participate.

I once had a group of sweet prenatal students approach me to tell me that they liked my teaching style and all of the class elements, except the OMing. They had decided as a group (and there were six of them) that they would not be joining in on the OM. I still smile thinking of that conversation. I am happy they felt comfortable enough to approach me. Student self-determination is beautiful.

3. Gratitude to Self and Others

Often when eyes are closed and hands are in anjali mudra (prayer pose), I invite students to give thanks to self for carving out this time. I also invite them to give thanks to those practicing next them or to the supportive cheerleaders in their lives.

4. Releasing What is No Longer Serving

After the OM and gratitude I will often I will say something like “Exhale and gently fold forward, releasing anything that no longer serves you. Inhale coming back up to sitting, bringing with you what you would like for the rest of this week.”

For me this is a way to let go of the practice and also to let go of things that I would like to release. It is also a time where I honour the teachers in my life, so that could be something you introduce. I like to include the inner teacher in this as well.

With hands in anjali mudra I say, “namaste” and bow forward slightly, to each student in the class. If students are new to my class I will often explain saying, “Namaste is sanskrit and means the light in me sees and honours the light in you.”

photo credits to Aminta
This is my time to give thanks to each student – who are my teachers as well.

What do you include after savasana in your practice or the classes you teach? Feel free to comment below.