Whenever I teach a yoga class, I would have to say that Savasana is one of the most requested and enjoyed moments of yoga.  This is also called "corpse pose" or a "yoga nap."  It's the last part of a yoga lesson, where everyone lies down on their back and relaxes.  There's either music, silence, or a story to go along with Savasana.  The idea is to get into a deep meditative, relaxed state and of course, if you fall asleep during Savasana...it's A-ok.

So, how do we get kids to get into Savasana? We all know that kids go a mile a minute. They have more energy than the energizer bunny.  We often talk about how wonderful it would be to bottle up kids' energy and sell it.  So, how is it that they can go from 0-60 and back to 0 so quickly?  The key is this:

#1: Kids need to run and play.  They have so much energy and they need to use it.  That's why yoga and even the simple (or not so simple) act of balancing uses this energy efficiently.  Anything active will get their hearts and lungs pumping, their brain oxygenated, and their bodies thriving. 

#2:  Kids need to rest.  Rest is just as important as exercise.  Fortunately the two go hand-in-hand like yin and yang.  After some good running, jumping, balancing, or yoga-kids are ready to rest.  Their bodies crave it and their minds cherish it. 

Tips:  Eye pillows are great to put over the eyes to keep the eyes from opening during Savasana.  Some kids can't handle silence, especially if they aren't exposed to it much.  So, music is a great relaxer.  I find the most useful tip is to tell an imaginative relaxation story during Savasana.  Children have a great imagination, and by practicing these stories, they will learn to find their own "special place" when they are at home or on their own. 

Savasana can be practiced right before bed time to help children and adults get into a deeper, more relaxed sleep.

Good night. Sleep tight.