Corpse Pose and Absence of Breath

[Guest guest]

Lately, I have found that when I assume corpse pose and relax thoroughly that it

is very tempting for me not to breath. In fact, I'll catch myself doing it

without thinking. Almost like it is coming natural. It will be like my

breathing becomes very shallow, then stops, but regulates in small breaths that

are few and far between. This is surprising to me because emptying my lungs and

holding that is so very hard for me. Is this normal? Should it alarm me, or is

it a good thing? Does it mean I'm growing/progressing?

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam

 

Savasana is a seemingly simple and always looked-after pose by students who

mistakenly think, or are taught, this is a relaxing asana.  Far from the truth. 

Although Corpse Pose is often used at the relaxation period after a good strong

Kriya, we need to take in consideration what the mechanics of achieving its

purpose are. 

 

Yogis are known to assume this asana and relax through concentration and become

motionless, breathless, and even pulseless just like a " dead person " , hence the

name of this pose.  When lying down, and aware that our muscles will tend to be

in constant contraction, we should avoid the slightest contraction by actively

relaxing the muscles.  This requires active concentration to relax different

parts of the body.  This is done often infrequently in a class during a bottom

up relaxation exercise while in Corpse Pose.  It is used infrequently because it

takes too much time from an already constricted time-period to hold a full

class, usually 60 to 90 minutes. This relaxation period should take from five to

fifteen minutes.  And this is just the beginning.  The final purpose of Savasana

is to completely relax the muscles and to continue to concentrate on such

relaxation for some time after such full relaxation is achieved in order to

regulate the

respiratory cycle. 

 

Now comes the respiration control.  In most classes when we assume the Corpse

Pose, we are told to allow the respiration to flow on its own, but in reality,

during the Savasana technique, and after full muscle relaxation is achieved, we

must move our awareness to the respiration pattern.  This requires

concentration. Just observe the respiration for a while to avoid the intrusion

of thoughts that will distract our attention.  After observing the respiratory

pattern, we must attain a completely regular cycle where inspiration and

expiration are of similar length and depthness.  Irregular breathing patterns

may signal Pranic Center imbalances and even ill health.  This is why the

student should actively achieve a regular respiratory pattern.  After this is

achieved, then the goal is to increase the volume of the inspiration and

expiration.  Increase the tidal volume of the lungs.  This requires great

concentration effort. 

 

The toughest part is not to get to a regular respiratory pattern but rather to

stay focused and concentrating the mind to maintain it.  Each one of these steps

have to be carried out very slowly avoiding going too fast.  Actually, it takes

months of daily practice to get to the regular breath cycles.  Sleepiness must

be avoided.  The sleepy effect comes secondary to the parasympathetic

stimulation of the regularization of the breathing pattern but great

concentration must be maintained in order to continue this pattern. 

 

So as we can see, the Corpse Pose is far from being a relaxation-lying down-go

to sleep-check with yourself kind of asana.  It is an active asana to achieved

breath control.

 

Please be aware I am not intending to teach the full technique in this message

but to just illustrate the purpose and mechanics of Savasana.  Ask your

Kundalini Yoga teacher to expand upon this.

 

Sat Nam

 

Adi Singh

 

 

 

--- On Sun, 8/9/09, Kelli B. Haywood <kudzumountain wrote:

 

 

Kelli B. Haywood <kudzumountain

Kundalini Yoga Corpse Pose and Absence of Breath

Kundaliniyoga

Sunday, August 9, 2009, 3:30 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lately, I have found that when I assume corpse pose and relax thoroughly that it

is very tempting for me not to breath. In fact, I'll catch myself doing it

without thinking. Almost like it is coming natural. It will be like my breathing

becomes very shallow, then stops, but regulates in small breaths that are few

and far between. This is surprising to me because emptying my lungs and holding

that is so very hard for me. Is this normal? Should it alarm me, or is it a good

thing? Does it mean I'm growing/progressing ?