Why We Need Rest

In Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar states that one should take Savasana (Corpse Pose) at the end of practice to relieve fatigue. A fatigue that one would experience if he were to finish his postures and then not take rest. The fatigue, Mr. Iyengar implies, would linger about the day with the student.

Taking Rest in Savasana

Our bodies are home to multiple nervous systems, including the autonomic which governs the organs. The autonomic breaks down further in two nervous systems: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The term sympathetic originates from the word “symphony,” a nod of the head to the unseen orchestra of organs and cells impacted by this system. The sympathetic acts as a survival mechanism, or the “fight or flight” reflex. The parasympathetic acts as the body’s “rest and relax” function. Together, they create the yin and yang of our bodies, and hopefully our yoga practice.

The sympathetic nervous system deserves a little more attention, as it appears to be the one most Westerners are stuck in. We live our days in a constant state of doing, with stress from work, family lives, and the balance of the two. Special attention should be given to our kidneys, as the adrenals rest upon them. When our sympathetic is engaged, the adrenals fire and harden the kidneys. Our “fight or flight” response triggers this, sending adrenaline through the body, and even dilating the eyes.

Adrenaline is a good thing; it comes in at the body’s time of need – like when your car hydroplanes in a storm, if you are confronted by a wild animal in nature, or when an impeding danger suddenly becomes present. It helps prolong life in these times. Adrenaline in excess, and untamed shows up in our offices as altercations between employees, at home with our spouses and loved ones, and most commonly behind the wheel.

Our kidneys are also part of the Apana force in the body. Apana – or waste removal – is present with its counterpart Prana, which is life force energy. These too play yin and yang in the body. At a cellular level, every cell individually takes in life in the form of oxygen and nutrients and excretes its waste. All of the cells in the body do this individually, collectively (as organs, muscles, blood, connective tissue and bones), and grossly as the body takes in air and food and excretes its waste.

Apana of the kidneys filter blood and remove water-soluble waste that processes into urine. The waste travels done the ureters and into the bladder. The ureters are small tubes that run from the kidneys in the back body to the front of the pelvis, trickling urine down. With 70% of the body being fluid and 80% of cells being water, one can see a bigger picture of the importance of keeping the kidneys’ apana function running smoothly. We can accomplish this by keeping the kidneys soft and eliminating unnecessary adrenal firing.

The parasympathetic nervous system organically kicks in when one feels safe in their surroundings with no impeding dangers. One can relate to the experience of visiting close family and the relaxing effect of this. Students of yoga find this in their practice in Balasana (Childs Pose) and Savasana (Corpse Pose), most commonly.

A return to the cellular level shows that cells balance between the “doing” and the “rest.” A cell will engage activity in order for division into two separate cells. Linda Hartely writes in Wisdom of the Body Moving:

“The ‘mind’ of the cell… is a more neutral, potential, state of ‘being.’ basic to the diverse ‘doing’ aspect of the specialization of the body systems’ cells. Before it divides to reproduce itself or specializes in one particular area of activity, the cell is in a state of apparent rest, simply breathing, living, being itself… This moment is not one of complete inactivity, however, for within the boundary of its own membrane the cell is actively engaged in processes of protein synthesis and general metabolism, in preparation for growth and activity to follow.”

Just as the cell still has action within in its time of rest, the cells of the body will continue to pump blood, move oxygen, and send messages to one another while the body itself is at rest. The end goal is not to remain in a relaxed state – better to move through a cycle of action and relaxation, which drives action once again.

Everything that happens on a cellular is also apparent on the gross level of the body. To stay in the doing without rest leads to fatigue, disharmony of the systems, and dis-ease in the body. Just as the body needs oxygen, food and water, it also needs rest.

A balanced yoga practice moves the body between both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The results of which manifest as more control from the student in accessing these systems, releasing normal adrenal patterns and switching to a calmer, restful state.

Rest, though it seems counter-intuitive to Western culture, actually brings about better doing. The balance created within the two systems is then able to pour into all aspects of life.