The Floor Pose: Releases Stress & Feels Good

“Support Equals Release.” –Svaroopa Yoga

With over fifteen years of experience with many different styles of yoga, I have to say that the most profound poses for me are the simplest. Some might argue that what I practice on my floor every day is not even yoga at all because the poses I do require so little effort.

I call it the yoga of non-doing.

For the purposes of clearing spaces, I have adapted a simple pose from my regular yoga practice that requires no previous experience and can be done anywhere. The key is in the set-up. With correct propping and alignment, you allow gravity to do all the opening work for you. Once settled on the floor, the muscles in the body, beginning at the tailbone, soften and relax. If you’re like me, 15 to 20 minutes of this simple support is nothing short of heaven on earth.

Here’s what you need to get started:

• 3-4 thick blankets (preferably wool, not fleece) to place under your knees
• 2 blocks or small cushions for your feet
• One small cushion to put under your head
• A mat or rug on which to lie down
• Optional: An eye cushion, an extra blanket to cover yourself with

Follow these guidelines to get the most out of your practice:

• Once positioned, let go.
• Breathe normally.
• Use this time to meditate or practice any set of Softening Attitudes.**
• Use this time to observe the body—how it holds on and how it lets go; observe the mind—how it holds on and how it wanders; observe the heart space—how the stuff around it clears and creates more space…and yumminess.
• Remain in this pose for as long as you wish.
• Come out of this pose slowly: Turn over to one side before pushing up and give your body time to integrate and enjoy all the benefits.

** The “Softening Attitudes” are a series of phrases designed to release and relieve the build-up of emotional and mental stress [also outlined in detail in my book and online program]. Practiced together, the softening poses and the attitudes make a potent clearing combination!

Learn more…

• About this, and other “Softening Pose” variations (including one which you can do in a chair) in my book, Your Spacious Self, or the companion Online Course HERE
• About Svaroopa Yoga: visit MasterYoga.org