Music for Savasana: A Gift from Baxter

by Baxter

One of my New Year’s Intentions the past two New Year’s Eves, 2010 and 2011, was to play as much music in the coming year as I possibly could. I had discovered how much joy creating and participating in music is for me on a more conscious level in the past several years, perhaps influenced by the quieting and reflective effects of my ongoing yoga practice. And I decided I wanted more!

And the last two years have definitely exploded with music for me! Playing with friends, performing at art openings, and even sitting in with touring kirtan bands. And even prior to the last two years, if you have ever attended one of my weekend workshops or week long retreats, you know how I love to play my violin for you at the end of class during Savasana. From the feedback I routinely get at these events, I’ve learned that yoga practitioners are moved by the presence of music during this time of rest, reflection and integration.

The asana and pranayama practice releases so much held physical and mental/emotional tension that yoga practitioners seem keenly receptive to the power of sound. I’ve heard back from listeners that it liberated long forgotten memories, touched and released emotions and deepened the experience of Savasana, which for many of us was an early reason we kept coming back to the yoga practice.

So, my intention this year is to record 50 minutes of music, broken up into Savasana-like morsels, all original works, for your enjoyment. As a kick-off, I have recorded a six-minute track for you to listen to here during your next home practice Savasana.

You can listen for free on this blog or from our Band Camp page. I made it six minutes so you can take three to four minutes after the music ends to drop even deeper into your Savasana, or you can make your rest a short six-minute one. I prefer a ten- minute Savasana personally, as it gives time for the Relaxation Response to take full effect. But however you chose to use it, I hope this music adds to the deepening of your practice in 2013.

And for those who would like to own a copy of the first of my recordings, there is a $2 dollar minimum donation to purchase from Band Camp. The proceeds go to Band Camp and to help us defray the costs of producing our blog five days a week. And if you are so moved, you can of course donate more than that!  Finally, a favorite poem of mine by Sufi poet Hafiz:

When the Violin

When the violin can forgive the past it
starts singing.

When the violin can stop worrying about
the future

you will become such a drunk laughing
nuisance

the Sun will then lean down and start
Combing you into its hair.

When the violin can forgive every wound
caused by others

your soul, your soul will start singing.

Translation by Daniel Ladisnky

Namaste,

Baxter

Friday Q&A: Propping for Relaxation Pose (Savasana)

Q: I have been wondering something about Savasana: Aside from the fact that Savasana has not been all that great for me due to low back/SI joint issues which are lately resolving, I find that my knees feel like they hyperextend in the relaxed state with gravity's pull. Would that alone be reason to always place a support under my knees, or not necessarily? Additional information: I developed the habit of sleeping with pillows under my knees probably 15 years ago at the recommendation of a physical therapist I was seeing at the time for neck problems. Lately my back & SI problems are greatly improved so now I am noticing the feeling of knee hyperextension more as I try to back off of over-reliance on knee support during Savasana. Engaging the quads to ease that seems counterproductive to Savasana. I feel fine with props. I just don't want to overuse them if that would set me up for some imbalance elsewhere.

Thank you so much for your time and dedication to the mission of educating us!

A: I have studied with the foremost expert (in my mind and others) on restorative yoga, Judith Lasater, and her teaching as I interpret is that a restorative pose should feel WONDERFUL when you are in it. The aim of Savasana is deep relaxation, and sometimes we have to work a little to get the pose perfect. So if you need to prop your knees or arms, support your head or low back, or whatever, then that is what you need to do for YOUR Savasana to be inviting and nourishing. There is no one way to do any yoga pose, and that is the gift of yoga which is to find out what works for you.

Please allow yourself to explore and experiment in how you position yourself for the utmost ease and enjoyment. Yoga is not “one size fits all.”

Happy journey.

—Shari