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Yoga poses

Corpse Pose (Savasana): The Stillness That Ends a Yoga Routine

Lie on your back, legs long, arms open, palms up, and stop doing anything until the time is up. The stillness that ends a long yoga routine.

2 min read

Why it works: Chapter 23, Stiff people work harder for every stroke

How to do it

  1. 1

    Lie down and spread out

    Flat on your back, legs long and a little apart, arms away from your sides with the palms facing up. Let your whole weight sink into the floor.

  2. 2

    Let the feet fall open

    Release your legs completely and let your feet roll outward. If they stay pointing straight up, you are still holding on.

  3. 3

    Prop what complains

    Lower back grumbling? A rolled towel or blanket under your knees takes it away. Chin tipping back? A folded towel under your head.

  4. 4

    Let go of the small things

    Let your shoulders sink, your hands go soft and your jaw unclench. Close your eyes if you like.

  5. 5

    Stop steering the breath

    You have been guiding your breath the whole routine. Let go of it now and let it do whatever it does on its own.

  6. 6

    Stay until the time is up

    Your mind will start making lists. That is normal. Notice it, come back to the weight of your body on the ground, and stay. When the time is up, roll onto one side before you sit up.

Watch for

  • Skipping it because nothing is happening. You get up straight from the effort and miss the minute where your body settles.
  • Holding the shape. Braced legs or a steered breath mean you are still working, and the minute passes without you settling.
  • Putting up with an aching lower back. You tense against it the whole time, when a towel under your knees would fix it.
  • Lying there planning your day. Your body stops but your head keeps working, so the minute never settles you.

Questions

How long should Savasana last?

A minute, as the last shape of the Range · 01 and Balance · 01 routines, after four minutes of slow shapes on the floor. Classes often give it five to ten minutes, so if you have the time, staying on after the timer is fine.

Is it OK to fall asleep in Savasana?

It happens, especially when you are tired, and it is not a failure. The aim is to stay awake and still, so if you keep drifting off, rest your attention on the weight of your body on the ground.

Why is Savasana so hard?

Lying still is easy; doing nothing is not. Most people keep bracing a leg, steering the breath or making plans. The skill is noticing that and letting go again, as many times as it takes.

What is the point of Savasana?

It is the end of the routine: a minute of lying still and doing nothing on purpose, so you leave it settled rather than rushing off. Letting go while you are still is a skill too, and this is where you practise it.