| Shavasana, or corpse pose, is usually done at the | | | | shavasana is not to move until you are ready to get |
| end of most yoga sessions. It is a deceptively simple | | | | up. This helps quieten the motor neurons of the brain, |
| posture, as there is no twisting, or stretching or | | | | and induces a feeling of greater relaxation, or 'letting |
| anything that is usually associated with the asanas. | | | | go'. If you are positioned well, with enough space to |
| However, corpse pose is an important part of the | | | | allow your torso to relax and lengthen, you won't |
| restorative yoga postures. And it is considered one | | | | need to move until you finish. |
| of the most difficult postures to do correctly. | | | | You can either breathe through the abdomen or |
| Shavasana is more about being than doing, and as | | | | through the diaphragm. It is recommended that you |
| such it touches on the fundamentals of what yoga is | | | | practice abdominal breathing unless you are either an |
| trying to achieve. The sequence of asanas | | | | intermediate or advanced student of yoga. Breathing |
| beforehand has helped train the body and mind for | | | | through the abdomen is the most relaxing, and |
| this period of relaxation, and in the corpse pose we | | | | diaphragmatic breathing is more of an energizing |
| integrate the experience we have just had with yoga | | | | technique. It uses the chest and abdomen without |
| into our conscious and subconscious mind. | | | | interrupting the relaxation of the rest of the body. If |
| There are many restorative postures, or variations in | | | | you tend to breathe through your chest habitually, |
| yoga, but shavasana allows the most relaxation. Its | | | | you should avoid this type of breathing, as you will |
| benefits include: | | | | tend to have a restricted type of thoracic breathing |
| * increase our energy levels | | | | that is counterproductive to the aims of yoga |
| * great for stress | | | | generally, and corpse pose particularly. |
| * good for normalizing blood pressure after exercise | | | | Breathing through the abdomen during shavasana |
| * good for stress symptoms in breast cancer and | | | | should not be forced. It should be relaxed and natural. |
| prostate cancer sufferers | | | | But start 'where you are', and let your breathing |
| * good for people who don't get enough sleep, or | | | | settle as the experience of the posture deepens. |
| who suffer insomnia | | | | The rate of breathing will slow down the more you |
| Corpse pose should be done lying flat, but still | | | | become relaxed. |
| providing some support to the lumbar and cervical | | | | Try not to fall asleep during corpse pose. When we |
| areas of the spine. Some people use a narrow, flat | | | | sleep, the motor neurons in the nervous system |
| pillow for their head, whereas others just lie on the | | | | become more active, and the idea with the relaxation |
| yoga mat without any props - do what feels most | | | | postures is to quieten them. |
| comfortable for you. | | | | Start practicing shavasana for 3 to 5 minutes, then |
| If the floor slopes, you should lie with your head in | | | | build up to 15 as your personal limits allow. |
| the downward sloping area, to facilitate blood supply | | | | Come out of the corpse pose slowly, wiggling your |
| to the brain. Your feet should be spread a little apart, | | | | toes and fingers, bringing the arms overhead to |
| with the arms and thighs slightly spread out, in an | | | | stretch them, and stretching down to your toes. |
| open and relaxed manner. Your palms and forearms | | | | Then roll over to one side, and slowly sit up when |
| should face up. | | | | you're ready. If you have low blood pressure, you |
| Try and start shavasana with your body mildly | | | | may need to turn onto the left side first before |
| stretched out, so you feel elongated. This is | | | | sitting up to avoid dizziness or fainting. |
| recommended because the muscles of the torso, | | | | References: H.D. |
| arms, and legs lengthen when they relax. The aim of | | | | |