Yin Yoga · Beginner

Corpse

Corpse yin yoga pose
Save this pose

At a glance

Hold
5–10 minutes
Level
Beginner
Target areas
whole bodynervous systemspine
Meridians
urinary bladder
Props
bolsterblanketeye pillow
Counterpose
None needed — Corpse is itself the integration and the close of your practice. · A slow seated pause afterwards to carry the stillness with you.

Time your hold

Three soft ticks and a bell when you're done, so you can close your eyes and stop watching the clock.

How to do it

  1. Lie flat on your back and let yourself be fully supported by the floor. There is nothing to hold or reach for here.
  2. Let your feet fall open, arms a little away from your sides, palms soft and turned up.
  3. If your lower back would like support, slide a bolster or rolled blanket under your knees; a blanket over the body keeps you warm as you cool.
  4. Close your eyes, soften your face and jaw, and let the breath find its own slow rhythm. Be still.
  5. This is a rest, not a stretch — simply let go and do nothing at all.

Why practice it

Before you go

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Take care

  • Lying flat may be uncomfortable later in pregnancy — rest on your side with a bolster between the knees instead.
  • If lying flat bothers your lower back, support the knees with a bolster or bend the knees with feet on the floor.
  • It is easy to drift toward sleep; that is fine, though a gentle return to the breath keeps you present.

Coming in & out

Into the pose

  • From sitting or any reclined pose, slowly lower yourself down to lie flat on your back.

Out of the pose

  • Come out slowly. Deepen your breath, wiggle your fingers and toes, then draw your knees in and roll gently onto one side.
  • Rest on your side for a few breaths, then press yourself up to sit with your head coming up last.

Common questions

How long do you hold Corpse Pose in Yin Yoga?

Around 5–10 minutes is typical. Because a Yin practice doesn't work the muscles hard, a slightly shorter rest — roughly 5 to 8 percent of your total practice time — is often enough. If you're practicing alone, a soft timer lets you stay relaxed without worrying about drifting off.

Why is Corpse Pose (Savasana) important?

It's the final rest that closes your practice. Lying completely still gives the body and nervous system time to absorb everything you've done, and many people find it deeply settling. Skipping it means missing the part of the practice where all the work quietly lands.

How do you do Corpse Pose?

Lie flat on your back and let the floor take all your weight. Let the feet fall open, rest the arms a little away from the body with palms turned up, and support the knees with a bolster if the lower back would like it. Close your eyes, soften the face, and let the breath find its own slow rhythm — there's nothing to stretch or hold.

Is Corpse Pose safe during pregnancy?

Lying flat on the back can feel uncomfortable later in pregnancy. A comfortable alternative is to rest on your side with a bolster or cushion between the knees, which offers the same complete rest without lying flat.

Practice it

In a routine

Gentle Beginner Yin 19 min · A gentle 19-minute beginner Yin Yoga routine — simple, well-supported shapes with an easier option in every pose, and a built-in hold timer. No props, no experience needed. The Day After 23 min · A 23-minute Yin routine for the morning after a long run — all lying down, no props, nothing deep. For heavy, aching legs and the day you have to get through anyway. Heart & Chest Opener 24 min · A 24-minute heart and chest opening Yin Yoga routine — gentle, supported backbends for the chest, shoulders and upper back, with a built-in hold timer. All levels.

More classes like this

Yin Yoga for Lower Back Every class in the library for this part of you

In a class

90-Min Silent Yin 90 min · A silent 90-minute Yin class — a deep full-body stretch held long and slow with minimal cues, to shut the world out and settle. All levels. 60-Min Full-Body Yin 60 min · A one-hour no-props Yin class — breath, meditation and long, slow holds for a full-body stretch that leaves you looser and calmer. All levels. 25-Minute Yin for Beginners 25 min · A gentle 25-minute Yin Yoga class for complete beginners — a handful of simple full-body poses held two minutes each, with easy step-by-step cues and time to rest.

Related poses

Child's Pose Child's Pose is a grounding Yin Yoga rest that gently opens the lower back and hips. Learn how to practice it, plus cues, props and cautions. Legs Up the Wall Legs Up the Wall is a deeply restorative Yin shape that calms the nervous system and eases tired legs. Learn the cues, hold time, benefits and cautions. Supported Bridge Supported Bridge is a passive yin backbend with a block under the sacrum, a gentle mild inversion. Learn the cues, hold time, props and cautions. Reclined Twist Reclined Twist is a calming yin wind-down pose that releases the spine, lower back and outer hip. Cues, hold times and gentle disc-safe cautions. Happy Baby Happy Baby is a gentle yin opener for the inner groin and lower back. Cues, hold times and cautions to keep the head and shoulders grounded.

Put it all together

When you want the whole practice

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