teaching savasana
Monday, February 22, 2010 I've written a lot about savasana and how difficult it can be for beginners. For me personally, the most difficult part is what to do as a teacher. I have the standard head to toe relaxation that I walk students through. But, after that...
I always feel awkward as a teacher with my eyes open while my students are in savasana. I think it is creepy to watch people when they are so vulnerable. And, I'm trying desperately to create a safe space for them to relax. So, now I walk them through the relaxation with my eyes closed and keep them closed. Then what?
I have no idea where I read it. Maybe Pema Chodron. Maybe a meditation book. But, there was a meditation that had you imagine all of a person's hurt and heartache on the inhale and send them love on the exhale. While my students are enjoying the frosting on their practice, I now sit and meditate. I try to imagine their physical pain, their heartache, their day to day trials and cleanse them with my breath. I go through student by student. On the exhale I repeat: peace, love, happiness (to myself of course).
I don't know if it works at all for my students but it certainly works for me. I feel like I am transferring all of my positive energy to them, that I really am giving them all that I have. For me, it is an amazingly peaceful exercise.
I found the following video via yogadork and it made me laugh:
How do you teach savasana? As a student what do you like a teacher to do? Oh, and, any tips for savasana adjustments? I'd love to do something simple and nice for my students but I have no idea what.
Reader Comments (8)
What you are doing sounds wonderful. I often lead them in, sometimes taking them through their bodies, sometimes more silence, depending on students. I also like poems, if appropriate. I do neck adjustments, picking up heads then rocking side to side, then lengthening, then move down to shoulders - rock right left. Students love this - I wish I could show you. Don't feel uncomfortable, just hold space for them. I think that is the most important. If they leave smiling and peaceful, you've done something right!
I never adjust in Savasana and nor am I particularly fussy about position, I think it's more important for them to be comfy (I for one find having my arms by my sides hurts my tight shoulders so I always place my hands on my belly).
I have a mini yoga nidra which I use - I'm happy to email it to you if you like.
I tend to drift off to another place while they are in savasana - I don't really find it uncomfortable.
I think what you are doing while your students are in savasana is beautiful!!! If I knew my teacher was being so selfless and giving... wow. One small word- be very careful to replenish yourself, so much energy giving can be tricky. :)
I personally (as someone who hates savasana), prefer when the teacher talks us through head to toe relaxation (but I wasn't a fan of the yoga nidra tape another teacher played... too much visualization and i get lost...). Then I really like complete silence. music tends to distract me.
I also get really antsy when the teacher walks around the studio, inner monologue sounds like this: "Is she close to me? Where is she going? Has she started to adjust. Crap, don't let her see you with your eyes open! ok, she walked by, I can open them again. I am SO not ready for her to touch me..... Maybe she'll just skip me. She's gonna be so disappointed that I'm so tense..."
etc etc
(LOL, reading that over makes me look bonkers. Sigh, savasana has always been my least favourite pose...).
Yep- love what you are doing now :)
Thanks, ladies! I really appreciate the comments and the resources.
What a wonderful Savasana practice. :) In a group class, I do a guided body relaxation and I play music - sometimes a melodious relaxation piece, Buddhist chanting, sometimes an emotive rock or pop song! Then I do child's pose, paschimottanasana, lotus or headstand to cool off my own body and stretch it out after class.
My teachers taught us a full-body adjustment for savasana to 'ease' people into a comfortable pose: gently pick up the ankles and stretch out the legs & hips, scoop the shoulders outwards, pick up the hands and replace the arms, lift the head and elongate the neck, then smooth the muscles in the face and end with a gentle press on the third eye and crown chakra.
I use this for private clients but not ususally in a group setting - I prefer the guided relaxation that everyone can benefit from. My teachers emphasized that if you do adjustments in savasana only to do them in the first few minutes, because after that you will disturb people's relaxation.
When I used to do little head massages or drops of essential oil, before savasana I would always say that anyone who didn't want me to disturb them could place one hand on their belly. That way you know who to leave alone.
This is what I envision that my favorite teachers do... continue sending their love, focus, and attention out to their students. In the style of yoga that I am learning and going through teacher training... there is a strong emphasis on it being "all about the students." Every action we take as a teacher should be for the education and enhancement of the student. When the student leaves, he should feel like he takes something with that he didn't have before. I think the only way to do this, start to finish... is to sit and meditate and send energies their way during savasana.
Ah... after reading this... it makes me realize how long I have to go in cultivating a sense of selflessness.. oh my oh my.
namaste
For adjustments I sometimes do what lagitane wrote about above - but only if I know the students. If I have new people I usually don't adjust but will go around with a spray bottle of peppermint and lavender mixed with water and instruct them that if they want a spray to keep both hands up. If they don't I tell them to put one hand on their belly, then I spray the palm of those who want it and instruct them to rub the hands together and cup the nose while they breathe.
After that I will sometimes practice a forward fold or sit with my eyes closed until class is over, unfortunately there is another class in the room right after mine and there are usually students for the next class (pilates) banging into the room anyway so it's not all that quiet.
Heather--I love when people look all GOOEY after my class!
Rachel--I'm not that picky about position either. I figure students can find a comfy place on their own. So, I guess the adjustment isn't really about alignment, just something extra and yummy that I could give them.
Eco--thanks for the tip on replenishing myself. But, honestly, when I leave I feel such a great energy. Sorry that savasana is so miserable for you. Try to give yourself time to RELAX and soak things up. And, all the stuff that goes through our minds, if people knew, would make us all look bonkers! You totally make me laugh!
La Gitane--thanks for the adjustments. That sounds wonderful and maybe something I would do for my private sessions. I love that you use headstand to "cool down"! I'm super pitta so a headstand would never, ever cool me down!
Kate--thanks for the kind words. I don't feel exactly selfless. It is a practice that evolved from my awkwardness ;) Your teacher training sounds especially lovely.
ALL--I apologize that it took so long to respond to you all. I really do appreciate the comments and always look forward to your great advice!