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These are my own thoughts, except as noted. An interesting conversation I had with a student made me realize I may not have explained the meaning or purpose of Sivasana well. Sivasana is the deeply relaxing "Corpse" pose we practice at the end of the posture classes. The symbolism of 'corpse' comes from Siva, who personifies one of the three principles in the Yogic system: Creation, Continuance and Dissolution, represented respectively by Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. "Corpse" posture signifies that which has been, that which is done and releases, "dies." If we can loosen, dissolve and release the ignorance and attachments which tie us to the cycle of suffering, so much the better. The bonds of the material and conditioned reality dissolve gradually, as we recognize them to be what they are: limited.

How is this manifested in the practice? In Sivasana, one works to be completely physically relaxed and released, while remaining completely alert and conscious. (Most of us drowse and even sleep, because of chronic sleep deprivation!) The mind observes as in meditation, the passing thoughts, sensations and emotions, without engaging or reacting. In this way we can approach the profound non-attachment that begins to free us.

Sivasana is usually recognized as the hardest posture. Why? Because the mind is the most difficult challenge any of us faces. Much harder than any of the physical forms of asana! Do you find it otherwise?
 

How to practice Sivasana:

Lie on a flat surface and let your body sink into the pull of gravity. Scan your legs and arms. Scan your front and back torso. Scan your neck and head. Notice where you hold tension. If there is strong tension in your low back, support the legs by placing a cushion or rolled blanket under your knees. If there is strong tension in your head neck or shoulders, you may feel better by slightly elevating your head with a small cushion or folded towel. You will probably be most comfortable with your head and neck in line with your spine.

Stay for as little as two minutes, or as long as ten minutes or more, keeping a meditative focus on breath, sensation and detaching from the stream of thoughts.
 

Some other teachers have this to say about Sivasana:

"The deep relaxation is often where the wisdom comes. It's where the healing happens most and it's where the awareness of how to relax into the alignment of a pose becomes deeply discerned."

~~ J.D. Nucci

"I tell students that they receive the benefits of the asanas during the final relaxation and that the relaxation is equally as important as the postures... I also stress the importance of the relaxation when they practice at home."

~~ Pat B., New London, CT

"Sivasana is the very most important posture of the whole class! It allows the body to integrate all the work it's just done moving through the postures. It also makes yoga distinctly different from other kinds of fitness. Walking out of class without that integration can make one feel pretty vulnerable, too."

~~ Tricia McAvoy, New London CT

"Doing a practice without Sivasana at the end is like typing a document in your computer without pressing 'save.' "

~~ Mark Whitwell, an internationally known teacher in the Viniyoga tradition