As you lay in savasana, peaceful as can be, the words of your yoga teacher fill the room, “Begin to wiggle your fingers and toes….”
You, in savasana, “Ah, man, not already. Just 5 more minutes, please?”
Those moments of complete relaxation and stillness in savasana (corpse pose), when everything feels just as it should, is known as the yoga bliss. This feeling makes you feel like the best version of yourself while sweat drips down the side of your head and you could hug an unknown yogi next to you because you’re simply just happy. All is right in the world.
The yoga bliss, it’s my favorite.
So many people have felt this positive sensation post yoga that scientists have done many studies providing actual proof as to why yoga makes us feel so damn good. Here are a few of the most notable reasons.
Why Yoga Makes You Feel So Good
- By breathing deep with our diaphragm (aka an entire yoga class) this transitions us out of the sympathetic nervous system (the “fight or flight” response) and lowers our stress hormone, cortisol. This creates space for oxytocin and endorphins, our happy hormones, to come marching in like they own the place. The parasympathetic nervous system can then take the lead and guide us to a state of relaxation.
- Mindfulness is a big focus when we are on our yoga mats. We focus our energy and attention to our bodies and the physical postures themselves to get out of our heads. That is why your thoughts have slowed down to a tortoise pace in savasana, because you actually got out of your head! You let go of your growing to-do list and tuned in with what’s going on in your body in the present moment.
- Practicing yoga is one of the biggest acts of self-care you can give yourself. By taking care of your physical body and mind, you can limit your stress, get your natural energy back, and promote healthy lifestyle habits that have lasting positive effects.
To take the feel-good feeling that yoga gives you off your mat, here are 6 easy ways you can keep the yoga bliss going after your yoga class ends. Let them serve as self-care triggers to promote the yogi inside of you when things are, well, let’s say not as they are during savasana.
6 ways to stay zen after yoga
- Stay in savasana as long as you can
The longer you can stay in the space or relaxation, the more you can tap into the parasympathetic nervous system and nurture the rise of your happy hormones (oxytocin and endorphins). Allow your breath to completely consume you while you’re in corpse pose to continue to clear your mind of the “noise” that bought real estate in your head before class.
- Set an intention for yourself after savasana
Before you leave your mat, set an intention for the rest of your day. Intentions are one of the most tangible and easily accessible things we can do to instantly change how we conduct ourselves in the real world. They hold the power to change how we feel in the present moment and ultimately guid your actions to take care of that intention. You just have to make the choice of what you want. Read more about intentions here. Which leads to point #3…
- Remember your intention
If you’re driving home from yoga all zened-out, and then someone cuts your off and you stress spikes once again, take a deep breath and remember your intention. That moment of pause will serve you to slow down and come back to your “why”, your intention. It will then guide you to act accordingly in a mindful way. Trust me when I say this works.
4. Eat a nourishing meal and drink plenty of water
Keep the gift of self-care going by eating well and hydrating yourself after class. It goes without saying that we generally feel good about ourselves when we put good food in our body. Clean and wholesome foods will give you the energy to tackle your to-do list or stay focused on a project without the heavy drag that processed foods can give you. Keep giving back to yourself physically and you will stay happier and less stressed.
5. Journal for self-reflection
If you can, write in your journal immediately after your yoga practice to document how you’re feeling while it’s fresh in your mind. Now, I know that this time is not always accessible, so come back to your practice from before and write for 5 minutes to remind yourself of what you got out of your last yoga class. Even re-reading it again later on the in the day can spark a fresh feeling of your intention, immediately bringing you back to your blissful savasana. Here are 24 journal prompts to help you get started.
6. Use essential oils to breathe in a sense of calm and relaxation
Tapping into your senses is another way to get out of your head and into the present moment. Remember, you feel calm and relaxed after yoga because you are not thinking about the rest of the worlds’ needs as much as you are thinking about your breath and body at that moment.
- Lavender Oil: used for calming, balance, and overall sense of well-being
- Cedarwood oil: used for calming nerves and relaxation
- Jasmine Oil: used for calming, relieve tension and promote relaxation
- Orange Oil: used for uplifting and improving your mood
- Peppermint Oil: used for waking up the body and invigorating your alertness and concentration
Don’t let the hard work of your yoga practice go right out the window as soon as you roll up your mat. Tap into your breath and your intention to bring the yoga bliss feeling with you, even as you tackle your long to-do list or answer emails.
Because in the end, when you actively live and feel like your best self, it will show up in your thoughts, words, and actions.
Who knows then what can happen when you’re on the yoga bliss high.
