03 Jan Savasana – Measure Highest Vitality with the Egely Wheel
Savasana is known as the final resting pose of each yoga session. More than just a rest, it’s an effective way to recharge your body, mind, and spirit and to connect with your life force energy. As you lie comfortably on your back with your arms and legs gently outstretched, you may notice an invigorating sense of vitality flowing through your entire being. This surge in energy is a reflection of your physical and mental state. When your vitality level is high, it’s a great sign that you’re healthy, balanced, and full of life!
Savasana, or “corpse pose,” requires no flexibility or technique to perform, and it’s this simplicity that makes it so powerful. By fully surrendering to the stillness, your body and mind experience a state of rejuvenation, and the life force energy is able to move freely, reminding you of the balance and harmony that exists within.
In this article, we’ll explore why this resting posture is the key to increasing your vitality and bringing a sense of renewal to your entire system.
What is the science behind the benefits of Savasana?
The benefits of Savasana lie in its profound effect on the nervous system. Our bodies have two primary branches of the nervous system: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic, each responsible for different bodily functions.
The sympathetic nervous system
Our bodies are designed to help us survive and thrive. One of the ways it does this is by triggering the sympathetic nervous system, which is our “fight or flight” response. This kicks in when we’re under stress and prepares us for immediate action.
During the ”fight or flight’ mode, our heart rate increases, our blood pressure rises, and our breathing speeds up to deliver more oxygen to our muscles, helping us respond quickly to danger or challenge. While the sympathetic nervous system is critical for survival, constant activation due to everyday stress can leave us feeling tense, anxious, and drained.
The parasympathetic nervous system
When we’re in the body’s “rest and digest” mode, our parasympathetic nervous system kicks in, as it does during Savasana. This puts our body into a deep state of relaxation. Our heart rate slows, our blood pressure drops, and our breathing becomes deep and rhythmic. This calming state of being allows our body to repair itself, digest food efficiently, and rejuvenate.
Savasana helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes healing and restores balance. This scientific understanding explains why the regular practice of Savasana can help us reduce stress, increase relaxation, and improve our overall well-being.
What do ancient yoga anatomy manuals say?
While modern science emphasizes breathing for oxygenation and nervous system support, yoga views breathing as a tool for working with a deeper, more subtle life energy. Ancient texts say that there is a vast network of 72,000 nadis in our bodies through which prana flows, vitalizing the entire body and mind.
In short, our vitality depends on the flow of pranic energy through these nadis, which run parallel to the nervous system and branch out into every small part of the body. The quality of this connection between the energy flow and our sense of well-being can be measured with the Egely Wheel described as the vitality quotient.
In most people, only a tiny fraction of the dynamic and creative energy of prana is active, flowing primarily through the Ida and Pingala Nadis, on the left and right sides of the central channel, respectively. The Sushumna Nadi is the central channel that is blocked at the base of the spine. This is where most of our prana is dormant and stored, preventing the full awakening of our spiritual energy, Kundalini.
Why is Savasana one of the most difficult asanas?
Savasana might look simple at first glance—just lying on your back, closing your eyes, and resting for a few minutes—but there’s so much more to it than that! Some people might think this last pose is unnecessary and skip it at the end of the yoga session, but it’s actually a great way to recharge your body and mind.
The tricky part of Savasana is doing nothing and being fully present in the present moment, which is easier said than done. Our busy minds often have a hard time relaxing, especially when we’re trying to let go of distracting thoughts or worries. In the Savasana pose, you’re invited to let go of all those external pressures and mental chatter and simply make room for true relaxation.
Within you is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.
It’s perfectly normal at the beginning for your mind to wander to your to-do list, what’s in the fridge, or a song that’s stuck on repeat. In fact, Savasana is another opportunity to practice mindfulness, just as you would during meditation. Be kind to yourself – every attempt to embrace stillness is a learning/practicing process, just like mastering balance in tree pose.
What is Egely Wheel? Find out here.
Top Tip
How to Use the Egely Wheel and Master Savasana with Body Scan Meditation
Have you ever wondered how to combine science and mindfulness for deeper relaxation? The Egely Wheel and body scan meditation could be the perfect duo for mastering Savasana, the ultimate relaxation pose.
Dr. George Egely, the creator of the Egely Wheel, discovered that our energy levels fluctuate with our emotions and environment. When we’re anxious or tense, our muscles tighten, creating blockages that disrupt the natural flow of energy—like a traffic jam. Interestingly, he observed that students stressed about exams had lower energy levels, but when they had playful physical education, their energy levels increased by 20-30%.
This insight highlights an important truth: relaxation and play are essential for restoring energy flow. The Egely Wheel can even stop spinning entirely when you’re startled by a sudden noise, like a ringing bell. This fascinating response shows how quickly your body shifts into energy conservation mode. Once startled, it can take up to fifteen minutes for your energy gates to reopen and flow freely again.
When these energy systems are clear and free from blockages, prana flows unhindered, allowing the Chakras to function at their optimal capacity. However, any obstructions or imbalances can lead to physical ailments, emotional instability, and spiritual disconnect.
Notably, the peak energy levels are often recorded when a person is lying down with their hands resting at their sides—just like in Savasana. This state of deep relaxation increases your capacity to “spare” vitality, resulting in higher energy “emission.”
Start with the Egely Wheel to measure your energy levels. Watching the wheel spin as you focus your thoughts can help you tune into your subtle energies and calm your mind. After completing the measurements, move into a body scan meditation while lying in savasana. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and slowly guide your awareness through each part of your body—from your toes to the top of your head. Feel tension melt away as your energy flows freely, leaving you feeling refreshed and grounded.
By combining the calming feedback of the Egely Wheel with the restorative effects of Savasana, you can unlock new levels of mindfulness, relaxation, and vitality. Give it a try, and experience the difference for yourself!
Savasana as a reward for your body and mind
In summary, the best thing you can do to maintain your vitality and ensure the free flow of your life energy is to incorporate about 15 minutes of Savasana relaxation into your daily self-care routine. This is the best reward your body and mind can ask for after completing all the poses in a yoga series and/or all the daily tasks in your personal and professional life. And to see if it works, use the Egely Wheel to measure your energy levels.
6 Sources +
Egely Wheel has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
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- The Flow of Prana: Nadis, Chakras and Kundalini – https://himalayaninstitute.org/
- Yoga Science of Nadis (Energy Channels) – https://vedicyogaacademy.com/
- Understanding Nadis – https://www.ommagazine.com/
- A Wildly Practical Guide to Authentic Spiritual Awakening – https://scottjeffrey.com/
- Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS) – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/
- Hermann Hesse Quotes – https://www.azquotes.com/
