For Those who Can’t Relax Without Everything Being ‘Just So’: Try Asymmetrical Savasana
New York, NY – A growing movement within the yoga community is challenging the conventional notion of perfect stillness in Savasana (corpse pose), offering a practice specifically designed for individuals wiht perfectionist tendencies. Asymmetrical Savasana, intentionally introducing imbalance into the final resting pose, is gaining traction as a tool for cultivating acceptance and tolerance - both on and off the mat.
Traditionally, savasana is practiced lying flat on the back with limbs relaxed and symmetrical. However, this can be a source of anxiety for those who struggle with imperfection. Asymmetrical Savasana deliberately disrupts this symmetry, encouraging practitioners to embrace discomfort and resist the urge to correct.
Yoga teacher Amber Burke is a proponent of the technique,demonstrating variations like placing a blanket under one calf or positioning a hand differently than its counterpart.
“When you feel that both sides of your body don’t ‘match,’ it can be a welcome chance for any of us with perfectionist impulses to practice accepting annoyance,” explains the practice’s core ideology.
How to practice Asymmetrical Savasana:
- Lie on your back as you would for savasana. Then, intentionally create asymmetry: move one foot a few inches to the side, place a folded blanket, bolster, or yoga block underneath one calf, draw one hand to the side, or place a blanket or bolster under one hand.
- Notice the sensation of being “out of place.” Acknowledge any impulse to correct it, registering any different sensations in your body or mind. Ask yourself, “Am I okay were I am?” Focus on your breath and practice letting go of the desire to change your position, inwardly saying “yes” to the current state.
- observe any thoughts or emotions that arise, recognizing them as disturbances.Rather of suppressing them, lessen your resistance to them.
- After a few minutes, gently move your fingers and toes, roll onto one side, and slowly come to a seated position. Attempt to carry the cultivated patience into your daily life.
The practice aims to extend beyond the yoga studio,fostering tolerance for “imperfections” in everyday situations – from difficult conversations at work to waiting in line. The underlying principle, rooted in the ancient concept of loot (disturbance), encourages practitioners to find peace amidst life’s inevitable imbalances.
