To Savasnah or not to savasnah

I used to believe in naps. I got into the habit to nap every weekday morning. I put everything aside to nap. It was a priority for me to rest. I refuelled. I could barely operate without it.

The philosophy behind the nap came from yoga, which requires savasnah, rest period, between two exertions. I was a busy active mom and I enjoyed the tranquillity of my morning nap. I took it only in the absence of my kids, when they were at school. Upon their pick up, they found a rested mom and a rather enthusiastic one too.

It took me an instant to fall deep asleep. I just needed to set my head on the pillow and as instructed in yoga, relax the body fully. Shut off my busy mind. Rest. The delicious sleep followed. Frequently a cat nap. The alarm was set for 20 minutes, or 30 minutes or if I was fortunate for an hour.

I still believe in naps, but I rarely take them now and like anything else, if you loose the habit, you loose the urge or the dependency on it. My fatigue sometimes urges me to take a nap. I still remember how to fall instantly asleep. Besides, I follow my grandmother's preaching: suffice to close your eyes to rest, even though you don't fall asleep. The stillness does the body and mind good.

But today I prefer to stuff my days with more activities. Spend time with a relative or friend. Have a supplementary coffee to conceal the effects of fatigue. I can't have the cake and eat it, can I? How could I add horseback riding to my routine if I took a daily nap? Wouldn't I prefer to read a novel?

And savasnah is merely a state of mind and body. Take a few minutes to relax, to zen out, find your happy place, in a coffee shop, with your friends, alone under a palm, with your nephew at the zoo, on a horse, at the beach.....just relax!