Shava Asana (Peacock Posture)

Technique

• Lie down on your back.
• Keep hands on the ground by the sides.
• The entire body should be kept relaxed and in a straight position.
• The eyes must be closed throughout this Asana.
• Now relax all muscles of the body.
• No part of the body should make the slightest movement.
• No tension should remain in any part of the body.
• If someone were to raise the arm or leg they fall as if there is no life in them.
• For the time being, give up thinking about problems of daily life.
• Imagine you are sinking into the ground.
• Breathe normally and while exhaling let the mind feel that the body is going deeper down into the earth.
• One must be aware that one is relaxing and should not fall asleep.
• Consciously relax every part of the body and mentally direct the blood to a particular part of the body and after consistent practice one may feel that quite a good quantity of blood rushes to the specific body part where it has been directed. This area is then completely relaxed. This process of relaxation may be done from toes to face.
• Even in the face, one may practise relaxation of every part like the eyes, ears, and nose.
• When all the nerves are calmed down, one feels completely relaxed and  refreshed.
• If relaxation is perfect and complete, one may feel the energy flows from the back of the head towards the heels.

This Asana may appear the easiest but is the most difficult to perform accuratel a person trains himself to do this Asana correctly he derives immense benefit.

The best way for quick relaxation is to breathe out and pause. The time spen outer retention is the point of relaxation. Breathe in, breathe out and pause - this is cycle. If one wants total relaxation, one may repeat this cycle 20 to 25 times.

Synchronisation of Breath

Maintain normal breathing throughout this Asana. However, you should be fi conscious of your breathing process.
When the outer retention method is followed, then do as stated herewith.

Benefits of Shava Asana

• Ensures complete relaxation and perfect ease. Removes fatigue in all situations.
• Induces calmness of mind.
• Best antidote for stresses of modem life. When the muscles, nerves and other organs are fully relaxed they gain strength and normal health is restored.
• Reduces blood pressure.
• Cures insomnia.
• Enables a practitioner to be satisfied with fewer hours of sleep.
• Turns the mind inwards and makes one introspective.
• Acts as a prophylactic against heart diseases in general. Eminent modi cardiologists worldwide prescribe this posture to speed up recovery of patie convalescing from heart diseases.
• If performed perfectly, the feeling of relaxation from this Asana is far superto that experienced from tranquillisers and sedatives.
• Awakens Kundalini Shakti.

Activates the Subconscious Mind

Suggestion plays an important role here. Be very conscious of directing the suggesti to relax each and every part of the body. It is also beneficial to have a common suggesti while doing this Asana.

"I am relaxing completely and all my muscles and nerves are fully relaxed."

Suitability : Suitable for all, but particularly good for those leading a life of stress and strain.

Precautions

It is quite likely that one may be prone to fall asleep initially. This must be consciously avoided.