Shavasana

[1] The earliest mention of the pose is in the 15th century Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1.32, which states in the context of a medieval belief system that "lying down on the ground supine, like a corpse, is called Shavasana.

[8] Shavasana and some sitting asanas maintain the balance between relaxation and meditation (two key components of yoga) by their equal input of physical stimuli.

[9] Shavasana is performed on the back with the legs spread as wide as the yoga mat and arms relaxed to both the sides of the body, and the eyes closed.

[1] Shavasana can be modified by bending the knees, keeping the feet hip-width apart, to allow people with low back pain to recline comfortably.

[5][13] A variant is to turn the leg outwards and allow it to sink towards the ground, keeping the hip and trunk level.

[5] Pavanamuktasana, also called Vatayanasana[14] or "Wind-Relieving pose"[15] has the hands clasped around one shin, the knee brought close to the chest.

[18] Modern yoga practices intended for relaxation and restoration rather than as exercise make extensive use of Shavasana.

[1] Restorative Yoga, too, a style involving long holding of asanas with liberal use of props to support the body, includes multiple variations of Shavasana, with or without supports;[19] Judith Hanson Lasater proposes five variants of Shavasana as "relaxation poses".