Despite the fact that it is considered by yoga instructors and students alike to be a classic relaxation yoga pose, the Corpse Pose, or Shavasana, is, strangely, one of the most difficult Yoga Asanas. It can either be practiced before or in between Asanas, or as a method of relaxation at the end of a yoga session.
Before going into the corpse pose, make sure you are laying symmetrically on your back, and you will need to have proper space on each side to stretch your arms and your legs. You will notice that once you are done with this exercise you experience a feeling of marvelous relaxation of all your muscles.
When getting into this pose, you might want to start by rotating your feet inward and outward gently and, finally, letting them fall slowly to the sides. Then, repeat this movement with your hands.
The next move begins to relax your spine. You can rotate and relax it by turning your head from side to side and by gently rotating your shoulders.
Let gravity take charge, and stretch as if somebody was pulling your head away from your feet. Keep your shoulders down and feel the stretch, but do not force it.
Soon, you will feel yourself slipping deeper into a state of profound relaxation.
At this point, breathing is an important element for obtaining the best results. You need to make sure you breathe deeply and your whole abdomen is rising when you inhale. You might want to review the instructions on yoga breathing.
Health experts, as well as yoga practitioners, agree that there are a great many benefits to your entire health system, when you breathe correctly, such as, for example, relief of stress and rebuilding of the body's energy levels. Regular relaxation can also help contribute to strengthening the immune system.
Among the possible ways to relax in yoga, the corpse pose is probably the most popular.
