Corpse Pose

How to do Corpse Pose

1. 1Lie flat on your back with your legs extended, letting your feet fall comfortably open wider than your hips.
2. 2Rest your arms alongside your torso, about six to twelve inches away from your hips, with your palms facing up.
3. 3Tuck your shoulder blades gently down and under your back to broaden across your collarbones and chest.
4. 4Lengthen the back of your neck by slightly nodding your chin toward your chest without lifting your head.
5. 5Close your eyes gently and soften the skin across your forehead, jaw, and around your mouth.
6. 6Release all muscular tension, feeling the full weight of your body sink into the floor beneath you.
7. 7Remain completely still and quietly present for five to fifteen minutes, allowing thoughts to drift past without attachment.

Benefits

• Activates the parasympathetic nervous system to lower resting heart rate and blood pressure.
• Releases residual muscular tension throughout the spine, hips, and shoulders.
• Helps alleviate physical fatigue and restores mental clarity after active movement.
• Relieves tension headaches and eye strain by softening cranial and facial muscles.
• Encourages optimal circulation and cellular recovery throughout the resting body.

Common mistakes and cues

• Controlling the breath

  Release all conscious breath techniques like Ujjayi and let respiration become completely passive.

• Holding jaw tension

  Part your lips slightly and unclamp your teeth so your jaw and tongue soften completely.

• Fidgeting repeatedly

  Take time to set up your support props beforehand so you can remain in uninterrupted stillness.

• Drifting into deep sleep

  Cultivate a balanced state of profound physical relaxation while maintaining quiet mental awareness.

Modifications and props

• Bolster under knees

  Place a bolster or rolled blanket beneath your knees to relieve strain in your lower back.

• Support under head

  Rest your head on a folded blanket to keep your cervical spine neutral if your chin juts upward.

• Eye pillow

  Place a light eye pillow over your eyes to block out ambient light and soothe sensory input.

• Side-lying variation

  Lie on your side with a bolster between your knees if lying flat on your back causes discomfort.

Cautions

• Late pregnancy

  Avoid lying flat on your back for extended periods; practice resting on your left side instead.

• Acute lower back pain

  Keep your knees bent with feet flat on the floor or elevate your lower legs onto a chair.

• Sensory sensitivity or trauma

  Keep your eyes softly open and elevate your torso on a bolster if lying flat feels unsafe.

If you are working with an injury, pregnancy or a medical condition, check with a qualified professional before practising this pose.

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