Corpse Yoga Pose

Savasana

Corpse Yoga Pose
overview

Corpse Yoga Pose is a supine, reclined pose that targets all muscles and is ideal for yogis and yoginis at a beginner level.

muladhara – the root chakra
related poses

beginner | supine, reclined | all

[yoga-sharrre]

[yoga-tags]

How To Do Corpse Yoga Pose
  1. Start by sitting on the floor or mat, knees bent and feet on the floor in front of you. To move into the laying-down position, slowly roll your back onto the floor starting with your tailbone. You may want to have a folded towel or blanket positioned so that you can rest your head on it for support, or you can use your hands to manually lift your head to pull the neck down toward the tailbone before resting your head back down.
  2. Make sure your body is in a neutral position. You may keep your knees bent, feet flat and hip-width apart, hands folded on your stomach. This will help you gently extend each of your legs, making sure they are comfortably spread apart and angled evenly from your torso, feet equally turned out away from your body. Lay your arms and hands on the floor, also at equal angles from your body, palms facing the ceiling. Equal distribution and comfort are key to a neutral body: shoulder blades must be resting evenly on the floor, ears should be equidistant from your shoulders and there should be no pressure or strain on the neck.
  3. When you have found a comfortable position, begin to relax individual parts of your body. Feel your muscles relax up your legs and through your groin, spreading up through the torso and into your arms and hands. Continue to relax your body up your shoulders and into your face and head; soften your face, un-crinkling your forehead and nose, and feel your eyes sink back and your tongue loosen.
  4. Lay in this position, taking deep, mindful breaths, for at least 5 minutes for every 30 minutes of yoga practice. To come out of the position roll gently to one side before pushing your hands into the floor, lifting your torso off of the ground and moving into a sitting position. Your head should be the last part of your body to lift from the ground.
Notes
  • Breathe deeply through each step.
  • Corpse Pose must be done in a state of relaxation and comfort. If you notice any strain or stress in any part of your body (most commonly in the back, shoulders, neck and groin), try different ways to adjust yourself until you relieve the tension. Don’t be afraid to lift parts of your body and reposition them with your hands. Both your mind and body need to find a place of relaxation, but even the smallest point of physical discomfort can throw off your concentration for the entire duration of the pose.
  • If you have a back injury or are experiencing discomfort in this pose, do not extend the legs but instead keep them bent with feet flat on the floor.
  • If pregnant, Corpse Pose is safe for the first two trimesters. Laying on your back during the third trimester is not recommended in general, so try a side-lying position to relax you after your yoga session.
Tips

Corpse Pose focuses on relaxation, so it’s best to make sure your phone is silenced, the door is closed and the lights are dim. Try to make your environment as quiet and unobtrusive as possible.
The longer you lay in Corpse Pose, the more likely you are to experience excess pressure on your head, making you feel dizzy or lightheaded when you come up from the position. If you just had a long workout and plan to lay in the Corpse Pose for several minutes, laying a folded blanket or towel under your head may help relieve this pressure.

Stretches & Strengthens

Corpse Pose is an asana meant to relax all muscles.

Health Benefits of Corpse Yoga Pose
  • Decreases heart rate, calming the mind and relieving stress.
  • Can relieve symptoms of anxiety and mild depression.
  • May reduce headache, fatigue and insomnia.
  • May improve concentration and memory.
  • Can lower blood pressure and decrease metabolic rate.

Sanskrit Name & Meaning

Sanskrit Name & Meaning

Savasana

(shah-vAHS-anna)

sava: corpse
asana: posture

History & Mythology

History & Mythology

As the final position of your workout, Savasana is considered to be the most crucial asana to most yogis.
We are constantly researching to find more information about the history and mythology behind each pose. If you have any further information, we’d love to hear from you.

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