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Adho Mukha Savasana

Last updated: December 21, 2023

What Does Adho Mukha Savasana Mean?

Adho mukha savasana is a simple prone resting and restorative posture. It is savasana flipped onto the stomach. The name of the pose comes from the Sanskrit, adho, meaning “downward”; mukha, meaning “face”; sava, meaning “corpse”; and asana, which means “pose” or “posture.”

To practice this asana, the yogi lies face down with the forehead resting on the ground and the arms stretched overhead or relaxed alongside the body. Alternately, the head can be turned to the side.

In English, adho mukha savasana directly translates as downward-facing corpse pose, but is often referred to as front or reverse corpse pose. In Sanskrit, it is also sometimes called advasana.

Adho Mukha Savasana

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Yogapedia Explains Adho Mukha Savasana

Adho mukha savasana may be practiced instead of savasana or in addition to this foundational resting pose. In addition to its restorative physical benefits, adho mukha savasana calms the mind, relieves stress and reduces fatigue.

As a grounding pose, all variations of savasana, including adho mukha savasana, are thought to activated the muladhara (root) chakra, which is associated with survival instincts, safety, security and stability. When practiced with the forehead touching the ground, adho mukha savasana also opens the ajna (third eye) chakra. This spiritual chakra is associated with intuition and provides the connection between the inner Self and the Divine.


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