Why Savasana (Should You Do It After Every Workout)?

Savasana is one of the most-loved poses in all of yoga, for a really simple reason: it’s about completely relaxing and letting go. After a challenging vinyasa session, it can be a total relief. But there’s plenty of reasons why we should be incorporating this simple pose into every workout (and even into the middle of our days).

What is savasana (corpse pose)?

Savasana is an essential end-of-practice pose (and is the pose we find when we do a yoga nidra session, or Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR)). It involves lying down in a way that’s comfortable and relaxing, and allowing yourself to completely let go. It’s best done with guidance (like with this class from our library), and you can use props and blankets to make it as comfortable as possible.

My favourite ways to savasana involve putting a bolster or rolled-up blanket under my knees, and using an eye pillow over my eyes. This pose is held anywhere from a couple of minutes to half an hour.

The benefits of savasana

The benefits of this practice are vast. So, while it may be tempting to skip this closing part of practice, it’s important to stick around.

Your nervous system, from your workout or yoga class, has actually just been stimulated; that means it’s shifted into fight-or-flight mode. It’s important to note: your body is unable to differentiate between the stress of your workout and, say, the stress of a long day, or running from a predator. And being in this state at the end of your workout, as when it’s triggered anytime, means your body has essentially shut down everything but the most important functions (those that support with the ‘flight-or-fight’ response). So your savasana acts as a way to shift states, allowing your body and organs to begin functioning again as they should.

So whether it’s a challenging yoga class, a run in the park, or a HIIT session at your local gym, savasana is an essential tool for anyone looking for nervous-system regulation and whole-body wellness. Even if your stress feels low-level, coming from endless phone notifications, work-related stressors, or a challenging communte, adding a 10 or 20-minute savasana (also known as Non-Sleep Deep Rest, or NSDR) into your day can serve as a wonderful, energising reset.

Savasana then, put simply, is a way to balance our entire body and wellbeing. Next time you want to skip it, see if you can enjoy the practice instead.

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