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How To Do Corpse Pose In Yoga

Yoga has got to be one of the most complete disciplines ever developed. It essentially practices the mind, body, and soul. It’s no wonder that it became so widespread.

Unlike a lot of other practices that went AWOL almost immediately, yoga stayed. The corpse pose is one of its most relaxing positions and deserves a whole article to be discovered and appreciated by everyone.

While the corpse pose may be relaxing, it’s also challenging to a lot of yoga practitioners for varying reasons. We’re here to clear up some confusion about it, inform everyone of its benefits, and guide mostly beginners on how to perform it properly.

Here’s everything you need to know about the corpse pose.

What Is Savasana?

Savasana, pronounced /shuh-VAHS-ah-nah/, is the Sanskrit word for corpse pose. It’s actually a supine post that targets the entire body.

The savasana pose has a ton of benefits for both the mind and body. As a practitioner, one should not just disregard it entirely. It is the yogic counterpart of the cooldown in aerobics and while it is now viewed as entirely essential (like the cooldown) it is very beneficial for you if you have time for it.

We can understand why some yogis may not put a lot of emphasis on it given how mundane the pose is compared to others, but if you’re reading this, we encourage you to go against your instincts and always make it a habit to perform the corpse pose every yoga session.

Savasana enables you to wrap up your sessions and culminates all the physical activities that your body just went through. It’s a time to release all of the tension that your body just underwent.

As mentioned, it’s not just your body that benefits from the corpse pose but also your mind. Just lie there without putting much effort and attention into your thoughts and remember that it’s fine even if you go into a full meditative state while performing it.

It may seem mundane, but the savasana pose is a time for you to essentially cool down not just your body but also your mind. Reset, recalibrate, and get ready to take on the rest of your day, whether you’re just starting it or already ending it.

What Areas of the Body Are Targeted During a Corpse Pose?

As mentioned, the corpse pose almost stimulates the entire body, or at least almost all muscle groups. It primarily targets your traps, chest, neck, shoulders, biceps, obliques, abs, groin, quads, outer thighs, forearms, and most of all, your lower back.

It then secondarily works on your middle back, triceps, glutes, lats, hip flexors, calves, and hamstrings. It’s a position where all you’ll ever need is your yoga mat. It’s unglamorous yet very effective. Although, the corpse pose has some variations that you can try with the use of certain equipment.

You probably didn’t expect that such a basic yoga position would work a ton of your muscles, right?

What Are the Benefits of a Corpse Pose?

Yes, it’s just lying down, but don’t expect that it’s easy. Did you know that a lot of people can’t properly perform the corpse pose because they are too agitated, restless, or just preoccupied to do so?

But, if you really think about it, the more agitated, restless, or preoccupied you are the better it is for you to try the savasana. Who knew that lying still could be a struggle.

For some, they actually look forward to the corpse pose because it indicates that the class is over. Not the reason we’d want, but if people lie down as they should, even if that’s the case, then it should work, right?

There are also a few people who do not appreciate it when the lights are turned down and everything is calm and their eyes are closed. That’s why a lot of yoga practitioners change things up a little bit during savasana, so it isn’t as boring.

This leads us to a major benefit of the pose. It teaches people, if not informs them, that hey, it’s time for you to relax, so don’t be restless. This is just a few minutes and you can do whatever you want after.

We all need to pause, even just for a few minutes in a day, week, or month amidst our busy lives. Take the time as you perform the corpse pose to do so. Your mind and body will thank you.

Savasana is comforting, relaxing, and people attest to having profound experiences while meditating in this position. You should try it too.

The corpse pose may help alleviate stress and depression, aid in headaches, insomnia, fatigue, and even help lower blood pressure. That’s a ton of reasons not to skip or disregard this pose.

How To Properly Perform a Savasana

Here are the steps on how to effectively perform a savasana:

  1. Sit on the floor while bending your knees with your feet flat on the ground then lean back into your forearms.
  2. Inhale and slowly extend your legs while your feet are apart with your toes turned out equally.
  3. Soften but don’t flatten your lower back as you narrow the front of your pelvis. Slightly tuck your tailbone as you lift your pelvis off the ground and lower your pelvis.
  4. Lift the base of your skull by utilizing your hands away from the back of your neck to create length. You may support your neck and head with a blanket if it makes things easier. Just make sure that your shoulders are completely down and far from your ears.
  5. Perpendicular to the floor, reach your arms to the ceiling. Rock slightly to broaden your back ribs and, at the same time, keep your shoulder blades away from your spine. Then, angle your arms equally at your sides, releasing them to the floor.
  6. Shoulder blades should rest equally on the floor, too.
  7. You may stay in the corpse pose for five minutes. Exhale and roll onto one side to exit the pose.

Final Thoughts

Please take note that any other poses you’ve performed before the corpse pose are all preparatory poses. Being the culmination of your session, there isn’t a counterpose for savasana.

Although, you may perform the easy pose or the sukhasana afterward if you want to. This should allow you to further go into deep meditation if you have additional time to spare.

Sometimes, the most simple, or should we say, mundane things we practice are the most beneficial, even something as simple as lying down on the ground. Yoga is meant to free our minds, that’s why it’s so effective and loved by many.

In this hustle and bustle world, we need even just a few minutes to stay still and stay calm for the sake of our health. Interested in starting your yoga journey? Visit and contact us today!

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