Resting postures help the body release activity.
POSTURES
Corpse
sava asana Lie comfortably on the back with the legs extended and the arms along the sides.
Turn the palms up and make sure that the entire body is relaxing whilst resting firmly on the ground.
Keep the eyes closed and let the mind with its thoughts, feelings, sensations and images wander freely. Do this for 5-10 minutes.
At the end of any sequence of yoga postures (or programme), the student should lie down in the corpse pose.
With a free mental attitude, the body and mind are given the opportunity to go into a spontaneous meditation instigated by the yoga sequence. The meditative deepening in this resting pose is not achieved by controlling thoughts or breathing. There is no use of images, mantras or meditation sounds. The meditative momentum results from the sequence of yoga postures. Provided the mind is given unrestricted freedom to drift wherever it wants, meditation occurs spontaneously.
The corpse pose should be done on a relatively firm surface, for example a yoga mat or rug. The effect will not be the same if lying on a soft mattress.
Sideways rest and Prone rest
Sideways rest
Lie on the right side of the body with the left arm under the head, while bending up the left knee.
Let the right arm rest with the palm facing up.
This restorative pose can be used for rest during any yoga programme.
Prone rest
Lie on the stomach with one cheek on the ground.
Place the arms along the sides, and let the heels fall slightly apart.
This restorative pose follows naturally after postures carried out whilst lying on the stomach.
Photo: Roland Nilsson