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I had just finished a particularly challenging vinyasa class. Coated in a sheen of sweat, my heart swelled with the joy of knowing that in the five minutes that followed, rest wasn’t only encouraged, it was my sole purpose.
I reclined on my mat, wiggling my limbs around to get in the most *comfortable* position, when next to me I heard the dreaded clang of car keys against a water bottle, a sound many yoga students will recognize as that of someone bursting the warm, peaceful energy bubble of class and, well, leaving.
Turning my head toward the transgressor, I confirmed my suspicions. The student next to me was rolling up her mat and leaving the room. “But this is the BEST part!” I thought to myself. “How can she leave before Savasana?”
Less Judgment Around Skipping Savasana, Please
After doing some internet sleuthing (aka, scrolling Reddit threads), I came to realize that a lot of us judge others for leaving yoga class before Corpse Pose. We each have our “reasons” for defending the final resting position, most of which go a little something like this:
- “Savasana is the most important part of practicing yoga.”
- “It’s disrespectful to the teacher and your fellow students to leave class early.”
- “It’s okay to leave class early *only if* you have a good enough reason.”
- “How can you not LOVE Savasana?” (Okay, I’m guilty of thinking this.)
But perhaps what’s more surprising than the fact that someone would leave class before Savasana is the fact that so many yoga students can’t understand this reality. Of course there are reasons—and it’s not up to us to determine whether those are “good enough.”
After all, isn’t practicing yoga really about finding yourself on the mat, accepting what is, and honoring ourselves and others? (And yes, even when they skip Savasana.)
19 Reasons People Leave Class Before Savasana
We reached out to our Yoga Journal Instagram community to ask you why you’ve left class before Savasana. Your answers were super relatable. After all, your practice is all about self-awareness—and you know your needs best.
- It’s physically uncomfortable for me to lie on my back.
- We had just finished a hot yoga class. The room was sooo hot, I felt like I was going to pass out.
- The teacher went over time.
- There was a sub for a vinyasa class who came in and taught yin.
- I knew I was going to cough a lot! Didn’t want to disturb everyone so I snuck out.
- The teacher was going to play Tibetan singing bowls during Savasana and I have sound sensitivities.
- TBH, it was so late at night. I just wanted to go home.
- I pretty much always leave early in the hopes of getting to the locker room, showering, and changing before it gets too crowded.
- I timed my morning wrong and realized I was going to be late for work if I didn’t leave.
- I’m a regular at the studio and I ugly cried during the practice. I wanted to leave before everyone else so I didn’t have to explain anything to anyone.
- I was feeling too anxious.
- I was pregnant and hungry.
- I worked at the yoga studio and needed to get back to the front desk before class ended.
- In general, I prefer to meditate at home or in nature.
- The teacher was disrespectful and reprimanding students throughout class.
- Honestly, I looked at the clock and realized it was almost my kids’ bedtime. I wanted to make it home for that.
- I got a text that my father-in-law was put in hospice. (I know, I shouldn’t have checked my phone during class.)
- I had an appointment – but I gave the teacher a heads up before class that I had to leave early.
- Unpopular opinion: I don’t have the patience for Savasana.
Additional contributors: Mary Rosch, Calin Van Paris, Mindy Fetzer
