A Lot Happens in Savasana
As we enter Savasana, our muscles go from being slightly tense to fully relaxed. This sudden release of tension can cause small, involuntary muscle contractions or twitches as our nervous system adjusts.
If we've been physically or mentally active before Savasana, our body might have residual energy that needs to be released. Twitching can be a way for our body to let go of that energy as we relax.
In deep relaxation, the brain recalibrates its connection with the body. Small twitches can be a sign of this process, where the brain is testing its control over the muscles as you relax.
Outwardly, nothing much seems to happen during Savasana, yet classes often start and end with this pose. However, a lot actually goes on in our bodies during these moments of stillness.
Savasana helps shift our nervous system from a state of activity (sympathetic) to a state of rest (parasympathetic). As this transition occurs, our body may experience small muscle spasms as it unwinds.
These twitches, known as hypnic jerks, are common during the onset of sleep. Since Savasana often brings us close to a sleep-like state, similar twitches can occur. They are harmless and a natural part of the relaxation process, indicating that our body is unwinding and preparing for deeper rest.
At the end of a class, or after any vigorous physical activity, blood circulation throughout the body increases. In Savasana, as we shift into a more relaxed state, blood flow might be more noticeable in the extremities, like the fingertips and toes, often felt as tingling. This tingling is likely a combination of increased blood flow to the whole body, reoxygenation, nervous system activity, and muscle relaxation.
As circulation increases throughout the entire body, including the pelvic region, we might occasionally experience tingling in the groin as blood flow is restored. Similar to other areas of the body, nerves in the groin might become more active as they adjust to changes in blood flow and oxygenation during relaxation. In our classes, we often offer adjustments to the legs to help encourage more blood flow into the pelvic region.
The twitching and tingling are usually harmless and a natural part of the relaxation process. They indicate that your body is unwinding and preparing for deeper rest.
The relaxation response in Savasana can heighten awareness of sensations in various parts of the body, allowing us to listen more closely to the subtle cues our body communicates.
Further reading : More Reactions in Savasana
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