By integrating surrender (Ishvara Pranidhana; sutras 2.45 & 1.23) into a relaxation practice, a person can begin to let go of their false identification with their body and mind and become more open and accepting of how life is as it unfolds in the present moment, which will allow them to experience bliss or gain a new level of understanding.

My client will lie in savasana for a 10-minute guided relaxation practice, twice in the next week, with the intention of easing his fears, and allowing him to find a way to live more comfortably with life as it is.

74-year-old single, white, male with history of insomnia, “stiffness in joints” and “achiness” in lower back. Left hip replaced March 2021. Currently takes prescription and OTC sleep meds along with alcohol every other night. Consumes pain medication with coffee for a morning “push.” Feels anxious that he can “no longer run 5 miles at 11.5 minutes per mile.” He appeared ambivalent about accepting physical limitations related to arthritis and aging, grieving the loss of his former self.

My plan was to guide the client through a 10-minute savasana relaxation practice by Pamela Seelig that involves sustained attention on a specific word, phrase, or image to encourage him to shift from thinking to feeling and sensing his body so that he can connect and surrender to the stillness within and abide there in a state of calm and peace (Threads of Yoga, 162-163). According to Deborah Adele, savasana is an important posture for practicing surrender, “for it is here that we begin to learn the meaning of letting go of all the ways we physically and mentally fight with life.” (The Yamas & Niyamas, p. 167). My hope was that the practice of surrender would ease the client’s anxiety and open the door to new ways of coping with everyday challenges: releasing identification with exercise, sleep and pain, ultimately leading to contentment, lasting healing, and peace.

I used asana and yoga nidra from the IY branch of Hatha Yoga and pratyahara and the niyamas from the IY branch of Raja Yoga to aid relaxation and letting go. Savasana lends itself to deep relaxation as it requires little effort: The client was asked to find a steady, comfortable posture and lie there, relaxing and releasing bodily tension, letting go of effort, allowing his breath to become rhythmic and relaxed. I hoped that the client would mentally let go of his external sensations and attain inner calm. According to Sw. Ramananda (Raja TT 07/11/2021), by integrating Raja Yoga into Hatha Yoga, we can shift from focusing on achievement to learning how to be fully present. By integrating surrender into savasana, the client is encouraged to reflect on his coping mechanisms and let go of aspects that are beyond his control, coming closer to a state of inner peace.

The relaxation practice was part of a 60-min yoga practice that included centering, discussing the yoga sutras and session goals, and physical practice. The client complained of anxiety at level 3/10. Blood pressure was 155/89. He had been experiencing anxiety “two out of three days” over the last two weeks which he felt “ruins” his day: “Where is my life going?” He spoke in a loud, animated voice and appeared restless, eager to begin. In discussing the sutras, he quickly associated to the Holocaust, stating that surrendering to a higher power can be “dangerous.” Irritated, he discussed the sutras for 10 min, then calmed down and opened-up about his faith. After the physical practices, he quickly settled into the relaxation pose and soon fell asleep. He reported back pain but appeared relaxed. His anxiety was rated 0/10; blood pressure was 142/91.

I encouraged the client to consider using props (bolster, pillow, blanket) during subsequent sessions to allow his body to fully release into the pose and help alleviate pain. We talked about the benefits of nightly practice and how he might benefit from a pre-sleep routine. He said he realized that addressing insomnia could help with anxiety and that he needed to make some life-style changes. He said he wanted to cut down on alcohol before bed and develop a better routine so that he could get up earlier and be more active during the day. He expressed interest in attending more Hatha yoga classes. I invited him to attend a full-length Raja Yoga inspired IY Hatha Yoga class. I suggested he might benefit from savasana relaxation in a group setting after doing more dynamic exercises, when he would be more physically and mentally tired, which he did.

I applied my plan to have relaxation be the focus of the first session but had to modify it after the client got triggered by the phrase “surrender to a higher power,” which he believed was in part the cause of the Holocaust. After venting about the dangers he perceived, he was able to relax, and eventually reported feeling calm; he appeared peaceful. In the second session he reported reflecting about “what matters most” in life and that he felt happy: “Life is not about proving myself. It is a great gift.” He explored the use of props to alleviate pain and relax fully. He said that the bolster was “a discovery,” and that he would use it for meditation.

Yes, I adapted my plan. Once I sensed the client’s distress over his misperception that surrender led to the Holocaust, I immediately let go of my initial plan and followed the client’s lead. I just sat and listened as the client spoke in length about his faith and inspirations and worldview. I learned that I do not need to have the perfect script and that I must let go of my own ego and the need for control. I also learned that I am not responsible for a client’s emotions, that I do not have to fix them, but that they are already perfect the way they are. After the first session, when discussing the use of props, I realized that the client genuinely did not know how props might be beneficial to his practice. I learned that I should not presume clients are familiar with the use and benefits of props, no matter how seasoned a practitioner they are. I will need to discuss the use of props

If I were faced with the same situation, I would proceed more cautiously and more systematically when introducing the principle of Ishvara Pranidhana to safeguard clients from potentially getting triggered. I would ask the client to fill out an intake form with the option to share their potential religious and/or spiritual beliefs so that I can familiarize myself with their language and meet them where they are at. Before introducing the principle of Ishvara Pranidhana, I might “test the water” by first offering a session on Sutra 2.1 (Kriya yoga) and ask the client if they would like to explore any of the three principles in a subsequent session. I think Kriya yoga would have given my client a broader context on the purpose of yoga and a choice which would have been more empowering for him. Using the Four Lock and Keys as a guide, I was able to respond with an open heart in a compassionate and non-judgmental way, which allowed the client to open-up about his spiritual beliefs in a profound way and reframe his sense of self: “When one door closes, another door opens.”