Here, we will be discussing the benefits of shavasana. This pose resembles the position of a dead body. Shava (शव, ava) is the Sanskrit word for “corpse,” and Asana (आसन, sana) is the Sanskrit word for “posture” or “seat.” This posture appears simple, but it may be one of the most difficult since you must completely relax your body and mind. Actively letting your body and mind fully relax is a lot easier said than done. This pose is typically done at the end of every yoga session. It promotes deep relaxation and promotes deep healing. Its intention is not to make you fall asleep but allows your nervous system to calm down. When you get up from the pose, you should feel like a new person. This pose can also be used when you are severely weary and need to return to work fast. It is energizing and revitalizing. Scroll down to read more.

Everything You Need To Know About Shavasana

What You Should Know Before Practicing The Asana

Shavasana promotes rest and relaxation. However, you need to restrain yourself from falling asleep as you practice it. If you feel drowsy, all you need to do is to is to take deeper, faster breaths. Concentration is of key importance for this asana. If you feel tired and sleepy, it means you are tired and sleepy and should get more rest in your daily life. As you learn to relax consciously, which is different from sleeping, your body and mind will feel refreshed and invigorated.

Level: All LevelsStyle: All StylesDuration: 7-10 minutesRepetitions: NoneStrengths: Rejuvenates the body and mind

How To Do Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

  1. Lie flat on the floor, ensuring that there will be no disturbance for the duration of the pose. Make sure you are comfortable, but don’t use any pillows or cushions. It will be best if you lie on a hard surface. If your chin is tilting towards your forehead you should use a blanket under your head and neck. Your face should be parallel to the ceiling. This is the best position of the head to optimize relaxation.
  2. Close your eyes.
  3. Place your legs such that they are comfortably apart (hip-width apart). Make sure your legs relax completely and your toes are facing sidewards.
  4. Your arms must be placed along your body and slightly apart, leaving your palms open and facing upwards.
  5. Now, slowly draw attention to every area of your body, starting from your toes. As you do this, breathe slowly, yet deeply, setting your body in a state of deep relaxation. Do not fall asleep in the process. Once your body is positioned in a way to fully relax, begin to draw your attention to your breath. Initially, allow your inhalation and exhalation to be slow, deep, and smooth.
  6. Breathe slowly yet deeply. This will impart complete relaxation. As you breathe in, your body will be energized, and as you breathe out, your body will calm down. Focus on yourself and your body, forgetting all other tasks. Let go and surrender! But make sure you don’t doze off. As your breathing becomes slow, deep, and smooth, you can begin to let your inhalation and exhalation happen more naturally and without restriction. As you let go of your conscious breathing, your mind will start to settle.
  7. In about 10 to 12 minutes, when your body feels relaxed and refreshed, roll to one side, keeping your eyes closed. Stay in the position for about 7 to 10 minutes or longer if you feel the desire until you sit up in Sukhasana.
  8. Take a few deep breaths and gain awareness of your surroundings before you open your eyes again. When you are ready to come out of the pose, roll to your right side in a fetal position and rest for a few breaths. Use your hands to slowly roll up and find a comfortable cross-legged seat and open your eyes.

Precautions Or Contraindications Of Shavasana

This asana is absolutely safe and can be practiced by anyone and everyone. Unless your doctor has advised you not to lie on your back, you can practice this asana. If you are pregnant, a side-lying savasana is often recommended.

Beginner’s Tip

In our busy, stressful lives, it can be quite a task to completely let go and relax. The most difficult part about Shavasana is releasing the heads of the thigh bones so that the groin softens. If the groin doesn’t soften, it could restrict proper breathing and, therefore, create tension throughout the body. To combat this, you could place five-kilo weights on your thighs, at the groin crease, and then imagine the heads of the thigh bone pressed down because of the weight. Another difficult task is to quiet the mind. If the body is relaxed, the mind will follow. Placing a blanket under the head, weights on the thighs, or using an eye pillow are all ways in which you can help assist your body in moving towards relaxation.

Advanced Pose Alterations

  1. If you experience tightness in your shoulders, chest, or back, your shoulders will not rest on the floor, and this will strain your neck. In this case, it is a good idea to slightly elevate your head and bring it to the same level as your neck. This will help soften the back of your neck. All you need to do is put a folded blanket under your head such that it ends at the top of your shoulders.
  2. If the muscles of the lower back or hamstrings are tight, it might be a good idea to elevate your legs while you practice the corpse or savasana pose. This works well even when you have pain and discomfort in your lower back and hips. All you need to do is place a bolster right under your knees. If you don’t have a bolster at hand, you could stack up blankets and place them under your knees.

Benefits Of Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

This posture is one of the most important postures of yoga, and it has numerous benefits.

1. Brings The Body To A Meditative State

The body relaxes and goes into a deep meditative state, which in turn helps repair the cells and tissues and releases stress.

2. Relaxes And Calms The Body

Shavasana replenishes and rejuvenates your body. It is a great end to your workout, especially if it has been an intense one. The Savasana also gives space and time for the workout to sink in. It is a perfect buffer between exercise and your daily chores.

3. Reduces Blood Pressure And Anxiety

As your body relaxes and calms down, your blood pressure also drops, and this helps relax your heart. As a result, anxiety is in control.

4. Improves Concentration And Memory

The direct effect of meditation is focus and concentration. While you focus on each area of your body while you are in Shavasana, your mind automatically improves concentration and memory.

5. Increases Levels Of Energy

Savasana is the fastest and safest way to gain instant energy. The 10-minute break gives your body an energy boost, and thereby, increases your productivity.

The Science Behind Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

Shavasana allows ultimate relaxation of your body and mind, which is just as essential as exercise and a balanced diet are. After a strenuous workout that involves stretching, twisting, contracting, and inverting of muscles, Shavasana allows your body to rest and regroup. Even the most neglected muscles will get some time to let go of their stress in such a short span of time. Yoga furnishes the nervous system with a whole lot of neuromuscular information. Shavasana helps your nervous system integrate this information before your mind gets busy with the regular stress of the day. Shavasana imparts deep awareness of your mind and body. You become extremely aware of each breath you take. Therefore, it is a great introduction to deep meditation for those who are interested in it. Yoga is a ritual. It is meant to start with a warm up, followed by the practice itself, and end with a sort of integration phase for the effects of the exercise to seep into the mind and body. Shavasana helps achieve that. It is a perfect end to a satisfying workout.

Preparatory Poses

This asana should be done after you are done with all the active asanas and pranayamas.

Follow-up Poses

Follow up the Shavasana with the Sukhasana or the easy pose.

What are the disadvantages of Shavasana? There are no such disadvantages of Shavasana. But this asana should be done in a calm environment. Also, you should not move the body while doing this asana. Why do I cry during Savasana? Crying during yoga sessions is normal. Certain yoga poses, like Savasana, may help you release your emotions, which may eventually cause you to tear up.