Yin Yoga · Beginner

Corpse

Hold

5–10 minutes

Time your hold

Routines featuring this pose

Bedtime Wind-Down 20 min · A gentle 20-minute bedtime Yin routine — soft, supported shapes to downshift the nervous system and melt toward sleep, with a built-in hold timer. Deep Legs & Hamstrings 20 min · A 20-minute Yin routine for tight legs, hamstrings, calves and feet — deep forward folds and foot stretches held slowly, with a built-in hold timer. Lower-Back Release 20 min · A gentle 20-minute Yin routine to release lower-back tension — length, decompression and hip release, held slowly with a built-in hold timer. All levels. Yin for Digestion 25 min · A 25-minute Yin routine for digestion — forward folds and slow twists that massage the belly and work the digestive meridian lines, with a built-in timer. Deep Hips & Lower Body 30 min · A 30-minute deep-hips Yin routine — inner thighs, outer hips, hip flexors and hamstrings, opened slowly with a built-in hold timer. Full-Body Reset 30 min · A balanced 30-minute full-body Yin sequence — back, shoulders, hips and spine, held long and slow to leave you loose and calm.

How to do it

Lie flat on your back and let yourself be fully supported by the floor. There is nothing to hold or reach for here.
Let your feet fall open, arms a little away from your sides, palms soft and turned up.
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.
Close your eyes, soften your face and jaw, and let the breath find its own slow rhythm. Be still.
This is a rest, not a stretch — simply let go and do nothing at all.

Why practise it

Invites total rest, letting the body settle completely after your practice.
Calms and settles the nervous system, shifting you toward the quiet, restorative part of your system.
Gives the body time to integrate the effects of everything you have practised — this is where the work lands.
Helps release held tension in the muscles as you let the floor take all your weight.

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.

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.

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.

Common questions

How long do you hold Corpse in Yin Yoga?

Most people hold Corpse for 5–10 minutes. The long, still hold is what makes it Yin — settle in, soften, and let the shape do the work. Come out a little sooner if you ever need to.

Is Corpse suitable for beginners?

Yes. Corpse is a beginner-friendly Yin pose — approachable and easy to support. Work at about 80% of your edge, breathe, and read the cues and cautions on this page before you begin.

What does Corpse stretch?

Corpse mainly works the whole body, nervous system and spine. Invites total rest, letting the body settle completely after your practice.

Do you need props for Corpse?

You don't have to, but a bolster, blanket or eye pillow can make Corpse more comfortable and help you relax into the hold. Props in Yin aren't a shortcut — they let you stay longer and soften more deeply.

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Classes featuring this pose

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.