Yoga in dead corpse position - Shavasana at Yoga University, Nasik, in Nashik

From the archive record

Shavasana, Savasana, mrtasana or Corpse Pose is an asana or position. The name comes from the Sanskrit words Shava meaning "corpse", and Asana meaning "posture" or "seat". Shavasana is perhaps the most important part of yoga practice. It is intended to rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit and relaxes the body. Furthermore, the physiological benefits of deep relaxation are numerous. Lying on the back, the arms and legs are spread at about 45 degrees, the eyes are closed and the breath deep. The whole body is relaxed onto the floor with an awareness of the chest and abdomen rising and falling with each breath. All parts of the body are scanned for muscular tension of any kind, which is consciously released as it is found, optionally with a small repetitive movement of the area. All control of t