Is it vital to have your heels together and arms right by your sides in savasana?

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

Author

Posts
wombatgirl509
Participant

August 30, 2010 at 8:54 pm

Post count: 5

#1921

I know that the savasana instructions say to keep your heels together and arms right by your sides. However, to me, it always feels more normal and natural to lie in savasana with my heels about hip width apart, and my hands pretty far out to my sides. Otherwise, I feel tension in the front of my upper thighs, and also in the inside of my upper arms (basically, in upper parts of my limbs, in the areas that are facing up). Am I missing out on some benefit by not doing savasana the textbook way?
Thanks!

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

September 6, 2010 at 9:35 am

Post count: 3048

#7664

Hi Michelle

Unless your style of Savasana offends your teacher’s sensibilities 😉 I wouldn’t really worry at all. Just make sure you are in alignment because that’s a good thing to pay attention to. But as far as benefits of corpse pose with your heels together or 9 inches apart especially if you feel you can’t surrender your quadriceps muscles, you will probably benefit more by introducing a bit of space.

As an experiment, see what happens from time to time when you hold your feet at different distances. You may find as you practise the skill of relaxation that it becomes easier and easier.

As far as your arms are concerned, check into your shoulders and make sure they are relaxed.

There is definitely a technique to this pose and not just in the physical approach. In fact, I created a pose tutorial on Savasana and meditation. That it is an in depth detailed recording of over 90 minutes surprised even me, that it could be examined at such length, going way beyond, lie there still in a particular way and focus on your breath. There’s a LOT more to it than one initially imagines, and it forms the cornerstone to your practice.

So take a curious attitude, play with it a little and see what you discover (and then let it go! 😆 )

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

gavster
Participant

May 16, 2012 at 8:26 am

Post count: 7

#9661

I can only keep heels together if I actively engage muscles to do so – as soon as I relax, they move apart.

The whole point is being passive right? It’s better to be 100% relaxed with heels apart than, rather than 90% relaxed with heels together, presumably?

Andrea.*F.
Participant

May 17, 2012 at 6:31 pm

Post count: 78

#9662

Hi Gavin,

I’m with you on that! My heels never touch in Savasana and I’m ok with that 😉

In my understanding this instruction is just a general guideline, to prevent people throwing their limbs wherever they like. I agree, BEING in Savasana is the most important thing. To experience peace and tranquility is my priority over heels together 🙂

Namaste,

Andrea
Author

Posts