Last updated: December 21, 2023
What Does
Superior Pose Mean?
Superior pose is a deeply relaxing, restorative and restful asana.
It is performed lying supine on the belly with the hands interlaced behind the head while the forehead and elbows rest on the ground. The intention during superior pose is to relax the entire body.
The Sanskrit name for superior pose is jyestikasana, with jyeshta meaning “elder” or “superior.”
Yogapedia Explains Superior Pose
Superior pose is suitable for yogis of all ages and levels of experience. A soothing asana for both body and mind, it is similar to poses used in both Yin yoga and Restorative yoga classes.
Additional benefits of superior pose include:
- Promotes rest and relaxation
- Supports the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)
- Relieves stiffness in the upper back and neck
- Soothes low back pain
Superior pose is considered to be beneficial for the nervous system because the supported nature of the pose encourages the muscles of the entire body to relax.
Superior pose can be modified by placing a folded blanket under the forehead. The hands can also be placed under the forehead, palms up. Also, this asana can be practiced as an alternative to corpse pose or crocodile pose.
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