Yoga pose
Corpse Pose is a quiet resting position done lying on your back. It gives your practice a clear ending and lets the body settle after effort without asking for a big stretch or shape.
Typical hold: 3 to 10 minutes
Timing: Stay for 8 to 15 slow breaths · Rest for 3 to 5 minutes · Rest for up to 10 minutes at the end of practice
Savasana often looks like the easiest part of practice, but it still helps to set it up well. A little care with the legs, arms and head can make the pose feel much more spacious. You are not trying to hold still in a rigid way. Instead, let the floor carry your weight and allow the effort from earlier poses to fade.
If Savasana feels surprisingly busy, check your shoulder blades. When they are tucked tightly under you, the chest can feel stuck open. Slide them slightly down and wider so the upper back rests more flatly on the floor.
Place a bolster, rolled blanket or pillows under the knees if your lower back or hip flexors feel tight when the legs are straight.
Rest the head on a thin folded blanket if the chin lifts and the throat feels strained. The forehead should not tip sharply back.
Use a blanket for warmth or place a soft eye pillow or cloth over the eyes if that helps you settle.
Lie on your back with knees bent and feet on the floor, about hip-width apart. Let the knees lean toward each other if that is comfortable.
Use this if lying flat with straight legs pulls on the lower back or feels too exposed.
Sit beside a wall and swing the legs up as you lower your back down, keeping a comfortable distance from the wall.
Use this if you want a quiet finishing pose but straight legs on the floor do not feel restful.
Kneel and fold forward over a bolster or stacked pillows, turning the head to one side and then the other halfway through.
Use this if resting on your back is uncomfortable and kneeling is available to you.
A fully supported version with a blanket under the head and a bolster under the knees for a softer lower back and easier rest.
Savasana with a blanket over the body to reduce the urge to tense against feeling cool.
A simpler version with knees bent and feet on the floor when straight legs are not comfortable.
If resting on your back causes sharp pain, dizziness that does not settle, or breathing discomfort, stop and get individual guidance before repeating the pose.
That is common. Place a bolster or rolled blanket under your knees, or take Constructive Rest Pose with the knees bent. Many bodies rest more easily that way, especially after a strong practice.
No. Let the legs turn out only as much as feels natural. If the hips or lower back feel pulled, bring the feet a little closer together or support the knees instead.
Usually the legs are asking the front hips and lower back to stay a bit too active. Try a support under the knees, or bend the knees and place the feet on the floor. A small adjustment often changes the pose completely.
Not much. Start by letting the breath be natural. If your mind feels scattered, a few rounds with a slightly longer exhale can help, but the aim is to ease effort, not create another technique to manage.
It happens. In yoga practice, Savasana is usually more about quiet awareness than sleep, but do not worry if you drift off sometimes. If you want to stay more awake, keep the breath a little fuller or shorten the hold.
Reviewed for yoga instruction
Certified Yoga Instructor with 5+ years of Teaching and Consistent Practice
Last reviewed: 2026-08-08
