Corpse Pose
Savasana is often called the most important and the hardest pose: lying completely still while staying aware. It lets the body and mind integrate the practice.
- Level
- Beginner
- Family
- Restorative
- Hold
- 5–15 minutes
- Works
- Whole body
- Let the floor hold you
- Nothing to do
- Release the jaw
Step by step
How to do Corpse Pose
Begin Lie on your back.
- 01
Lie on your back with legs extended slightly wider than the hips.
- 02
Let the feet fall open naturally.
- 03
Rest the arms a little away from the body, palms up.
- 04
Place a bolster under the knees if the lower back is uncomfortable.
- 05
Close your eyes and release effort from the face, jaw and shoulders.
- 06
Let the breath become natural and simply rest.
- ↩
Coming out. Deepen the breath, move fingers and toes, roll onto your right side, then press up slowly to sit.
Breath
Natural, unforced breathing.
Focus
Deep relaxation
Why practise it
Promotes deep rest and is traditionally the integration of practice.
Alignment & cues
Body symmetrical; neck long; supported where needed.
Teacher’s cues
- “Let the floor hold you”
- “Nothing to do”
- “Release the jaw”
Common mistakes
Skipping it, or fidgeting; feeling cold — use a blanket.
Make it yours
Every body is different. Use props and variations freely — they are not a lesser version of the pose.
Easier
Bolster under knees; blanket for warmth; lie on the side in pregnancy.
Variations
- Supported Savasana with bolster
- Yoga Nidra guided relaxation
Props
- Bolster under knees
- Blanket
- Eye pillow
Where it fits in a flow
Warm up with the poses on the left, then move into the ones on the right.
Practise with care
Safety
Lie on the left side in later pregnancy. Support the head if you have neck discomfort.
Educational guidance, not medical advice. Stop if you feel sharp pain, pinching or dizziness, and check with a qualified teacher or health professional if you are pregnant, injured or managing a health condition.
In the tradition
Described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika as removing fatigue and bringing rest to the mind.
Questions
How long should Savasana be?
A common guide is about five minutes for every 30 minutes of practice.
Is it OK to fall asleep?
It happens, but the aim is relaxed awareness.