Corpse Pose

The closing rest of a practice: lying flat on the back with the body completely passive, letting the effects of the session settle.

How to do it

1. Lie on your back with the legs a comfortable distance apart and the feet falling open.
2. Rest the arms slightly away from the body with the palms facing up.
3. Let the whole body soften into the floor, including the jaw, the eyes and the hands.
4. Stay for the prescribed time, breathing naturally without controlling the breath.
5. Bend the knees and roll to one side before sitting up slowly.

Tips

• Place a bolster under the knees if the lower back does not settle.
• Cover yourself with a blanket; the body cools quickly once it stops moving.
• This pose is meant to require no effort at all — resist the urge to adjust constantly.

Muscles

Primary: Erector spinae