What’s The Most Challenging Yoga Pose?

You might immediately think of the headstand (sirsasana in sanskrit) or maybe flying pigeon pose (ska pada galavasana) as a difficult arm balancing pose. However many say that corpse pose, or savasana, is the most challenging yoga pose. This is the part at the end of a yoga class where you lie down flat on your back, with your arms and legs spread out on your mat, close your eyes and deeply relax.

What?! How could that be the most challenging pose? I do that every night when I lie down in bed!

Even though it looks like everyone is just having a nap after yoga, it is in fact a pose of being deeply relaxed and yet completely awake. What makes this pose so challenging is the torrent of thoughts that race through your mind as you lie still. A crucial aspect of yoga to cultivate a practice of mindfulness, that is being aware of the present without your thoughts being pulled to the future, the past or running through your to-do list. As we move through the physical practice of yoga our minds are occupied with moving our bodies into the various shapes and holding balances, however when we stop moving the mind can return to it’s monologue of thought patterns.

Remaining in savasana, sometimes called deep relaxation, at the end of the yoga class is an extremely important part of the practice, it allows you to fully assimilate the benefits of yoga. Savasana itself can have many benefits, such as relieving high blood pressure, headaches, fatigue and insomnia.

So if you are practicing yoga at home, or at a gym or studio, don’t be tempted to skip the savasana relaxation at the end. You can also practice savasana on its own as a type of meditation that relaxes and relieves tension in the body; click here for a guided savasana video on my YouTube channel.