Why Savasana is the Hardest Yoga Pose
- Rachel
- Jun 28
- 4 min read
If you’ve ever felt restless, anxious, or even a little guilty while lying in savasana at the end of a yoga class, you’re not alone.
In fact, for many of us—especially if you're new to yoga or navigating emotional stress—Savasana isn’t just a “nice little rest.” It can be the most challenging part of the entire practice.
This might sound strange, right? After all, you’re literally lying still on the floor, doing nothing. But that’s exactly why it can feel so hard.
Often seen as an essential way to close our practice, Savasana offers a wealth of physical and emotional benefits—the perfect final touch to our yoga journey.
Stillness Is Confronting: The Mental Challenge that makes Savasana hard
We live in a world that rewards doing. Constant movement, productivity, performance—these things are praised, even glorified.
Stillness, on the other hand, is often seen as laziness, indulgence, or a waste of time.
So when you finally lie down in savasana, your body might be still, but your mind doesn’t know how to switch off. You may notice an onslaught of thoughts:
Did I do that pose right?
What’s for dinner?
I forgot to reply to that message.
Why am I lying here when I should be doing something?
This flood of thoughts can feel overwhelming. Importantly, though, it shows us just how loud our inner world has become and reminds us why rest is so necessary.
In Savasana, there’s nowhere to hide. And that kind of honesty with ourselves can feel incredibly vulnerable.
It might even trigger uncomfortable emotions—grief, anxiety, sadness, frustration—that were quietly bubbling under the surface.
During the month before my Mum died, I kept myself busy looking after her, so I did not have to face her imminent death. As soon as I lay in Savasana, the tears came, and I could not stop them.
How Savasana Affects the Nervous System
Physiologically, Savasana is meant to activate the parasympathetic nervous system—our “rest and digest” state.
But if your body is used to being in a heightened state of alert (also known as sympathetic or “fight or flight” mode), letting go isn’t just difficult—it can feel unsafe.
Many people, especially those recovering from trauma or chronic stress, find it hard to fully relax. The nervous system doesn’t always trust that it’s safe to soften. So instead of floating into blissful rest, you might feel fidgety, guarded, or even agitated.
This is not a failure. It’s your body communicating with you. And that awareness is part of the practice. Your body is learning how to unwind.
Emotional Release in Savasana: Why You Might Feel Sad or Uneasy
In Savasana, when movement stops and breath slows, a deeper layer of ourselves starts to rise. You might suddenly remember a difficult conversation, feel a wave of sadness, or have an urge to cry—for no obvious reason.
This can be jarring. But it’s also healing.
Savasana is where integration happens. It’s not just about resting the body; it’s where everything you’ve just moved through on the mat has a chance to settle.
In yoga philosophy, this is known as samskara—mental and emotional impressions stored in the body. When we rest consciously, those impressions sometimes come to the surface so they can be released.
So if Savasana feels emotional, that’s okay. You’re not doing anything wrong. In fact, you’re likely doing something very right.
Letting Go of the “Perfect Savasana”
Another reason Savasana can be difficult? The pressure to “do it right.” Maybe your fellow students are lying perfectly still, their faces serene, while you’re fighting an itch on your nose, or wondering if your feet should be wider.
The truth is, there is no perfect Savasana.
Stillness doesn’t mean rigidity. If you need to fidget, adjust, or even open your eyes, do it.
If lying flat on your back feels unsafe or uncomfortable, try a variation. Use props. Bend your knees. Cover your eyes.
Support your body in a way that feels safe and grounded.
Savasana is not a performance. It’s an invitation. How you respond to that invitation is personal—and it will look different every day.
How to Make Savasana Easier
If you find Savasana difficult, here are a few gentle suggestions:
1. Use props
Place a bolster or cushion under your knees, a folded blanket under your head, or a weight over your belly to feel grounded. I love to use an eye mask, not only to shut out the light, but to guide me internally by blocking out external distractions.
2. Try a guided Savasana
Sometimes, the mind needs something to focus on to soften into rest. A gentle voice guiding you through a body scan or visualisation can make all the difference.
3. Take your Savasana outside
Leave your house or yoga studio behind and head for a location, such as a field or beach, where you can enjoy the outdoor elements.
3. Set a timer at home
Five to ten minutes is enough. Knowing your time is held can help you surrender more fully.
4. Be kind to yourself
It’s okay if you don’t feel peaceful. It’s okay if your mind wanders. The goal is not to “empty your mind” but to observe whatever arises without judgment.
5. Practice regularly
The more you practice savasana, the more your body learns that it’s safe to relax. Over time, stillness becomes a sanctuary—not a struggle.
Your Savasana should support you. Every body is different, and your experience will change from day to day.
🌼 Final Thought
Savasana asks us to trust. To release. To let go of control. And for many of us, myself included, that’s a deeply uncomfortable ask.
But within that discomfort lies the doorway to something powerful and beautiful—a moment of pause, of presence, of surrender. A moment where you’re not achieving or proving anything. You’re simply being.
That’s why savasana is hard. And that’s also why it’s so important.
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