Tired of Organizing? So Are We.
A woman rests, lying on her back on a yoga mat, with a lavender eye pillow covering her eyes.
Let’s rest, relax, and create space as we prepare for a new year.
In this blog, we’ll be discussing the benefits of corpse pose, fallow seasons, and the importance of non-doing. Yes, we did say corpse pose–in case corpse pose sounds morbid, and you have no idea what we’re talking about: corpse pose is the westernized way of saying śavāsana, a sanskrit word used in the practice of yoga. (Adams)
Śava translates to “corpse” and asanas are the “seats,” or poses in practice. Pronounced sha-VAH-suh-nuh, the corpse pose is often a favorite for many yoga practitioners. The pose often comes at the end of practice and allows your body to relax properly after intense activity.
In their paper, “The role of Yoga-Asanas in Mind-Body Harmony,” Dr. Narasimhan and Dr. Prasad outline the benefits of many yoga poses and dedicate an entire section to the importance of relaxation through śavāsana.
“After performing any asana or regardless of daily activity the body and mind tend to be overworked. It is important not to forget that rest and relaxation are nature’s way of recharging.” (Narasimhan and Prasad)
The transition from one year to the next offers a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and prepare for growth in new ways. As suggested above, laying fallow—a period of resting the soil—allows for renewal and readiness in the next season of growth.
Not convinced? Feeling resistant already?
If you are someone who is:
Constantly working
Constantly striving towards goals
Constantly searching for something to achieve or perfect
Try to remember that:
The bear, a mighty force to be reckoned with, hibernates all winter.
The houseplant, when completely pruned, will often regrow twice as beautiful.
The maple tree, which grows new leaves every year, also lets them go every year.
If you struggle to find time for non-doing and relaxation, we’re right there with you. Learning to relax can feel like an uphill battle in a culture that values the grind more than anything else. Trying to fit in relaxation can feel like you’re wasting your time, wasting your energy, and can even produce a little anxiety.
This is when we should think of corpse pose. This pose, which comes at the end of practice, is meant to represent the death and rebirth of the practice. It is meant to represent natural cycles. Now, a yoga instructor could dive WAY deeper into everything going on during and right after corpse pose (on physical and spiritual levels). We’re just going to think of it as essential for the practice.
If we agree corpse pose is an essential practice in yoga, then we see how the practice of non-doing is important for a balanced life.
In the spirit of allowing rest and space in our lives, here are some tips to put the past year to rest and make space for the new:
1. Reflect Without Judgment
Begin by looking back at the year gone by. List the highlights, challenges, and lessons learned. This is not a time for guilt or regret; it’s an opportunity to observe and understand.
Journal Activity: Dedicate 15 minutes to journaling on three prompts: What did I love? What did I learn? What can I let go of?
2. Celebrate the Good
Even in tough years, there are moments to cherish. Honor these wins, no matter how small, as they form the foundation for the new year's aspirations.
Celebrate visually: Create a visual reminder of your wins by buying yourself flowers, use a picture related to the win as your wallpaper, or simply pat yourself on the back.
3. Cancel Some Stuff
Give yourself permission to shed commitments that no longer serve you. Embrace the power of “no” to reclaim your time and energy.
How to Cancel: List everything you think you have to do. Put a frowny face next to things you’re not especially looking forward to. If they don’t need to be done, take steps to cancel with others or simply get it off your mind and off your to-do list!
4. Embrace the Fallowness
Allow yourself to enter a season of rest and reflection. Use this time to focus inward, without the pressure to produce or perform.
Start over: Clear commitments for a time and prioritize relaxing activities (yoga, long walks outside, recommitting to a half-hour of coffee and staring out the window…you can choose your own non-adventure!)
5. Set Intentions, Not Resolutions
Instead of strict resolutions, set gentle intentions for the new year. These guideposts can evolve with you and keep the pressure off.
We love to: Choose a guiding word or theme for the year, such as renewal, balance, or courage.
6. Nourish Your Inner World
Just as soil needs nutrients during a fallow period, so do you. Engage in activities that bring you joy and replenish your energy.
How to Nourish: Try something creative—painting, cooking, or learning a new skill. What is something fun or silly that you don’t let yourself do normally? DO IT!
7. Let Go, Literally
Create a ritual to physically release the year.
Declutter: Whether it’s writing down what you’re letting go of and burning the paper or donating unused items, this act can be powerfully symbolic.
8. Go Outside
Nature is the ultimate teacher of cycles and renewal. Spend time outdoors, absorbing the wisdom of seasons transitioning effortlessly.
Ideas: Take a day trip to a park, lake, or other peaceful environment to reset your mind. If that sounds daunting, sit outside in your own backyard/on a balcony, or take a short walk around the block to connect with your own neighborhood.
9. Trust the Process
Growth can’t be rushed. Trust that this period of rest will prepare you for a stronger, more intentional year ahead.
Daily reminder: I am exactly where I need to be.
Fallowness isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about doing what’s necessary to replenish yourself. Let this year-end transition be one of kindness, intention, and quiet preparation for the beautiful possibilities ahead. Time to hibernate, y’all!
If your fallow season includes decluttering, catch us in 2025 with a decluttering service or schedule a time to talk about your visions for a new space.
Sources:
Narasimhan, Amruthur, and Marehalli G. Prasad. "The role of Yoga-Asanas in mind-body Harmony." 2012.
Adams, Autumn. “Is It Shavasana or Savasana?” Ambuja Yoga, 22 Oct. 2020, ambujayoga.com/blog/shavasana-or-savasana/.
