Anatomical Exploration of Shavasana and its Physical and Mental Benefits

The term Yoga is originated from the Sanskrit root yuj which means to bind, join, attach and yoke, to direct and concentrate ones attention on, to use and apply. It also refers to union or communion. It is the true union of our will with the will of God. Yoga is performed through some specific postures called Asana. Among the eight limbs of Yoga, the yogic technique properly begins at the third limb that is the Asana. The word Asana is well known around the world for the yogic posture into which the whole science of Yoga is shrinking. Patanjali defines Asana as‘Sthirasukhatvam” in Yogasutra which can be translated as stable and agreeable. The benefits of Asana range from physical to spiritual level. Asana not only tone the muscles, ligaments, joints and nerves but also maintains the smooth functioning and health of entire body. “Shavasana” was described as one of the 32 most important Asana in Gheranda Samhita. This pose appears as the posture of a dead body and is, hence, named after it. Shava meaning “corpse”, and Asana meaning “posture”. The corpse posture can both antecede and follow a session of Hatha Yoga postures. Dr. Somlata Jadoun | Dr. Sunil Kumar Yadav "Anatomical Exploration of Shavasana and its Physical and Mental Benefits" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-4 | Issue-6 , October 2020, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd35813.pdf Paper Url: https://www.ijtsrd.com/medicine/other/35813/anatomical-exploration-of-shavasana-and-its-physical-and-mental-benefits/dr-somlata-jadoun