Parsva Savasana - Side Corpse Pose
Traditional wisdom and traditional practice of rolling to your right side keeps your ida nadi (energy channel) active helping to keep your body cool and calm before coming up to a seated posture.
Have you ever wondered why your yoga teacher asks you to roll to one side after savasana?
This subtle movement holds more meaning than you might think. In this blog, we explore the physiological and philosophical reasons behind this traditional practice, and how it supports a smoother, more mindful transition from deep rest to wakefulness. Read on to find out why this final pose matters.
We’ve arrived at the end of our savasana and brought some gentle movement back into the body. The teacher has asked you to roll to one side a posture known as side lying corpse pose or parsva savasana. This is this the final yoga posture promoting calm and balance, but which side do you roll over to and why roll to one side and not come up to sitting?
I looked into the evidence of rolling over to your right side after savasana and the current research is limited. Rolling over to your right side allows the heart to remain open and free of any pressure and feels comfortable to most people. With the heart positioned above the other organs it places less pressure on it not having to work so hard, thus keeping you calm and relaxed. It also means that it will be easy to breathe through the left nostril.
My instructions in class are usually to roll onto your favourite side as everyone’s needs are different. This posture serves both physiological and philosophical purposes in yoga with a few exceptions of pregnancy or high blood pressure.
Physiological Benefits
After a deep relaxation in savasana rolling to one side offers a gentle transition to the nervous system. Gradually moving from the parasympathetic or rest and digest state back to a more alert yet more comfortable pose.
A sudden movement from savasana can cause dizziness whilst rolling or lying on your side posture offers a gentler transition to coming up to sitting.
Rolling to the side protects your lower back from straining that could occur from sitting up straight away.
Philosophical Reasons
The foetal posture resembles the foetal position; this represents rebirth or renewal after Savasana which is known as corpse pose or death posture (resembling complete stillness).
In yoga traditions rolling to the right side is preferred as it keeps as mentioned previously the heart open and protected.
Lying on either your right side will open ida nadi (feminine energy) running down the left side of the body or pingla nadi (masculine energy) running down the right of the body. The feminine energy is a calming, cooling energy channel whilst the masculine energy is a more dynamic energy.
Rolling to one side before coming up to seated is a more mindful transition in a more meditative way before returning back to a wakefulness state.
Exceptions
Pregnant Women
Pregnant women are usually advised to roll to the left side as this side reduces the pressure on the liver from the uterus; it also improves blood circulation to the placenta. There is a whole science behind this and working with your pregnancy yoga teacher is recommended.
High Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure your teacher will recommend you roll to the left side of your body, helping to relieve pressure on the blood vessels returning blood to the heart, therefore reducing blood pressure.
Finally
With very little research and a mixture of answers available, the physiological and philosophical answer is clear. Lying on your side offers a very meditative experience and is a favourite of yoga communities.
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom”
If you would like to learn more or join one of my classes, then please get in touch by email nina@yogasansaar.co.uk or simply book a class online www.yogasansaar.co.uk
