The benefits of Savasana

ASSIMILATION
Savasana, or Corpse Pose, is the ultimate asana for reintegration. It is considered to be one of the most essential, and the most tricky asana to master! It gives the challenge of relaxing, while remaining conscious, in order to absorb the effects of the asana and let go of all the efforts of our practice. During the practise a wide range of different muscle groups have been worked. Finishing the practice with Savasana gives the body a chance to reset and settle. Yoga poses were cleverly designed over 2,600 years ago, to help achieve this. A muscle is much more willing to submit and melt when it has been gently stretched and strengthened. By letting all the muscles dissolve into the support of the ground, it helps to release stress.

TAKE YOUR TIME
Stress can be emotional or physical, but the result of it is the same. It is linked to many mental and physical ailments. Learning to relieve stress is a very important tool in the hectic society we live in. It is recommended to take 5min of Savasana for every 30min of practise. Surrendering to the moment, and letting the teacher control when we re-enter the busy outside world, gives us permission to totally let go, slow down and absorb. This is something so many people don’t allow themselves to do very often.

Savasana reduces fatigue and headaches, helps relieve stress and mild depression, relaxes the breath, lowers blood pressure, triggers the parasympathetic nervous system and increases blood flow to all the organs of the body, nourishing your whole system. All the benefits of each asana from the practice, continue to process through the system. When we take time to build a bridge, that connects from the practice back out to our busy lives, the integration is smoother, and we carry the tranquillity we have cultivated into our day. We are better able to tackle the outside world again!

Ruth Delahunty Yogaru

Christmas Sun Salutation

TAKE SOME TIME
Christmas can be a hectic time of year. It can be hard to find a moment to take time for yourself. Sometimes all it takes is 10 minutes to breathe and slow down. The Surya Namaskara/Sun Salutations has an array of movements that strengthens and stretches all the major muscle groups. The repetition of the sequence can be very calming. With each movement linked to an in-breath or out-breath, it encourages a slow and calm breath. Why not try the above sequence for 10 minutes on Christmas morning, or throughout the festive period, to give you space to take on all that comes with this busy time of year.

The above sequence can be repeated as your full practise, or as a warm up for further asana. For the first few sequences start with your knees softly bent in the forward folds, to allow the hamstrings to warm up. Each full Surya Namaskara/Sun Salutations C consists of two rounds of the above sequence. In the first round you step your right leg back from your first forward fold, and step it forward from your second downward facing dog. In your second round you step your left foot back and forward. 

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Ruth Delahunty Yogaru

Hamsa hand of protection

The symbol in the Yogaru logo is called a hamsa hand. It is an ancient symbol of protection, and you’ll find a small hamsa on all my jewellery designs. It brings the wearer happiness, peace, luck, prosperity and protection from The Evil Eye. You’ll see the amulet frequently in the context of yoga. The word hamsa means five, referring to the five digits of the hand. Each digit represents one of the four elements (with the addition of ethereal); one of the five senses; and five of the seven chakras (energy channels found along the spine).

The symbol also has the quality of ‘taking a pause’ or stopping, which is what Yogaru is all about. When you wear your piece it will protect you and keep you safe.

Ruth Delahunty Yogaru