Sava = Corpse or Dead Body
Asana = Pose or Posture
Parsva Savasana at a Glance
Parsva Savasana or the Side-Lying Corpse Pose, is a relaxation pose done just after the Savasana pose. This is also the variation of the Savasana pose. It is done at the end of the yoga sequences, which relaxes the body muscles and is comfortable for people who find it difficult to breathe lying down in the Savasana pose.
Benefits:
- Lying on the right side would lower your blood pressure.
- It helps with good blood circulation to the part of the body as you lie on your right side.
- This Pose activates the right side of your brain, helps with meditation and keeps you calm.
- Lying on the left side can improve your digestion.
- Side Corpse Pose lying on the left or the right will open your ida nadi (feminine) and Pingla nadi (masculine).
- This Pose is good for pregnant women as it improves the blood flow to the fetus (lying on the left side).
Who can do it?
This side-lying Pose can be done by anyone who wants to calm their body and mind. Beginners can do this asana as this is a very simple and relaxing pose. Pregnant women can do this Parsva Savasana pose. After dealing with your personal or official work for the whole day, could try this
.
Who should not do it?
This is very gentle and calming. Some yoga poses may not be suitable for individuals with back injuries, abdominal surgeries, or high blood pressure. It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before practicing.
How to Do Parsva Savasana?
Follow the Step-by-Step Instructions
This Side-Lying Corpse Pose is the relaxation and cooling pose, which lets the stress and tension out.
- For every yoga asana, you must find a quiet place and a soft surface, like a yoga mat or a carpet. Wear something that is comfortable and suits the present climate.
- After you do the yoga sequences, first come down to the mat and lie down flat on your back and keep your arms, legs, and whole body relaxed.
- Slowly bend your knees to turn on one of the sides. Now, gently turn to one of the sides and keep the knees bent comfortably to keep it as a support.
- Bring the right arm that is in the bottom (that is close to the ground) and keep it under your head as a pillow. The other arm will be on top of your body and should be straight.
- Your legs should be in line with your torso and kept straight and legs bent and one on top of the other.
- Close your eyes, relax and focus, and concentrate on your breath.
- Breathe in and out, gently and softly, and in a relaxing way. This is done to release stress and tension from every part of your body and recharge with fresh energy.
- You can be in this Pose for 5 to 10 min and make yourself comfortable and energized.
- relax on your back for about 1 minute, and then you can turn onto the other side.
- After doing this on both sides, return to the Savasana pose and relax totally, lying on your back for a few seconds, and then come out of the Pose slowly.
What are the Benefits of Parsva Savasana?
There are excellent benefits when you do this Pose. You have separate benefits for lying down on both the right and left side.
- When you lie on the right side, it helps lower your blood pressure and brings your heartbeat to normal. So, after you do the yoga asanas, yoga teachers ask you to lie on your right side to relax and cool down.
- The blood circulates freely when you lie down on your right side. The internal organs, like your stomach intestines, don’t push on your heart, so there is no interruption to the blood flow.
- The heart is not restricted. When you lie on the right side, the heart pumps the blood smoothly and works efficiently.
- The left nostril in Ayurveda is known as ida nadi, which encourages energy flow and helps to open and activate the right side of your brain, which is suitable for meditation.
- The right side of the brain is related to femininity– more peaceful and connected to the lunar energy of the moon.
- As for the right side, even doing this Pose on the left side has many benefits.
- Practice this Pose on the left side. Help the food move easily from the small intestine to the large intestine.
- Pregnant women should do it on the left side so that the blood flow to the fetus is not disturbed and improves heart circulation.
- Parsva Savasana on the left side improves the blood flow and helps to reduce the pressure on the varicose veins.
- Pingla nadi is opened up and opens your left brain when you lie on the left side of Parsva Savasana.
Health Conditions that Might Benefit from Parsva Savasana
- People with digestion, bloating, and gas issues can benefit from Parsva Savasana.
- Lying on the left side improves the blood flow, which reduces the pressure on the veins of your legs and relieves you from varicose veins.
- People with stress and anxiety can get good relief by practicing this Pose as it calms their minds,
- You become more mindful and relaxed, which helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
- People with sleep issues can practice this Pose to induce more and better sleep without disturbing thoughts.
Safety and Precautions
- It’s a safe pose. In some situations, you must take care of some safety concerns.
- Use props like cushions and blankets under your neck, head, and thighs to support if you experience any pain or discomfort or can get help from your yoga teacher.
- Pregnant women should do this pose under the guidance of the prenatal yoga teacher.
- Recent injury or surgery should contact their healthcare professional for guidance.
Common Mistakes
- Don’t overstretch in this Pose.
- This asana is about releasing the tension and stress and relaxing, so avoid holding and let it go.
- Breathing is very important in this Pose to release thoughts and relax your nervous system.
Tips for Parsva Savasana
- Do this pose on soft and even surfaces and use props for better comfort.
- It is better to consult your yoga teacher for guidance in your yoga classes.
- Breathe gently and slowly throughout the Pose.
Physical Alignment Principles for Parsva Savasana
- See that your spine is straight and relaxed.
- Your head and neck should be relaxed and in a normal state.
- Your arm near the ground (bottom arm) is the pillow under your head.
- And the other arm on the top of the body.
- Your hips your legs should be placed on top of one another and in line with the torso and keep it relaxed without any stress.
- Don’t hold your breath. Keep breathing naturally and gently.
Parsva Savasana and Breath
Breath is the life of this asana. You do this asana, release negativity, fill in with positive energy and energize yourself. Let your breath be natural, and don’t overpower the thoughts. Concentrate on your inhalation and exhalation to sense the body’s sensation and let go without keeping hold of it. This Pose connects your mind and body through your breath as you become aware of your physical sensations and tensions so that you can release and let them go. Avoid holding your breath, and don’t take very deep breaths. Let it be natural and rhythmic.
Parsva Savasana and Variations
- Side-lying reclined shoulder stretch.
- Side Fetal Pose and Reclined Deer Pose.
- Supported Fetal Pose (restorative yoga pose).
- Side-lying Corpse Pose with props.
Take Away
This Side-Lying Corpse Pose is done after the continuous yoga sequences and the Savasana. This is done on both your right and left sides to balance and to avail both the benefits from the right and left sides of the body. As a Child’s Pose, this asana also cools down your body after the yoga sequence practice. It’s a relaxing yoga pose. Your self-awareness increases, and you become more aware of your physical and mental sensations and handle them with a relaxed mindset. You can use cushions or folded blankets to get more comfort, which helps you focus better on relaxation.
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