Padmasana means "Lotus throne" and is also a term for actual thrones, often decorated with lotus foliage motifs, on which figures in art sit. In Balinese Hinduism, a prominent feature of temples is a special form of padmasana shrine, with empty thrones mounted on a column.
The lotus position is a cross-legged sitting posture originating in meditative practices of ancient India, in which the feet are placed on the opposing thighs. It is an established posture, commonly used for meditation, in the Hindu Yoga and Buddhist contemplative traditions. The position is said to resemble a lotus, to encourage breathing proper to associated meditative practice, and to foster physical stability.
How to prepare:
1.From a seated posture, one foot is placed on top of the opposite thigh with sole facing upward and heel close to the abdomen.
2.The other foot is then placed on the opposite thigh in a symmetrical way.
3.The knees are in contact with the ground. The torso is placed in balance and alignment such that the spinal column supports it with minimal muscular effort.
4.The torso is centered above the hips. To relax the head and neck, the jaw is allowed to fall towards the neck and the back of the neck to lengthen.
5.The shoulders move backwards and the ribcage lifts. The tongue rests on the roof of the mouth. The hands may rest on the knees in chin or jnana mudra(or chin mudra).
6.The arms are relaxed with the elbows slightly bent.
7.The eyes may be closed, the body relaxed, with awareness of the overall posture.
Adjustments are made until balance and alignment are experienced. Alignment that creates relaxation is indicative of a suitable posture for the asana. The posture should be natural and comfortable, without any sharp pains.
Variations in Padmasana:
Ardha padmasana:
padmasana may be difficult for begginers. For begginners it is good to practice ardha padmasana till they dont feel any pain in padmasana.
1.From a seated posture, one foot is placed on top of the opposite thigh with sole facing upward and heel close to the abdomen.
2.The other foot is then placed on the gound sole touching the calf muscle of other leg.
3.Repeat the same with the other le till leg are able to fit freely in padmasana.
Utthitha Padmasana:
To check the stamina level and also to uncrease this asana is helpful.
Lolasana:
1.First to the Padmasana position.
2.Place your both hands on the sides of your thigh or hip muscle lift up your body and get to Utthitha Padmasana position
3.Then keep floating your body to front and back with hands bent to move the knees wide opened in asana.
Benefits:
1.The Lotus position is adopted to allow the body to be held completely steady for long periods of time.
2.As the body is steadied the mind becomes calm, the first step towards meditation.
3.The posture applies pressure to the lower spine which may facilitate relaxation.
4.The breath can slow down, muscular tension decrease and blood pressure subside.
5.The coccygeal and sacral nerves are toned as the normally large blood flow to the legs is redirected to the abdominal region.
6.Digestion may also be improved.
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| Iyengarji in Dhyana |
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| Baba Ramdevji in Dhyana |
The lotus position is a cross-legged sitting posture originating in meditative practices of ancient India, in which the feet are placed on the opposing thighs. It is an established posture, commonly used for meditation, in the Hindu Yoga and Buddhist contemplative traditions. The position is said to resemble a lotus, to encourage breathing proper to associated meditative practice, and to foster physical stability.
 |
| Lord Shiva in Meditation |
1.From a seated posture, one foot is placed on top of the opposite thigh with sole facing upward and heel close to the abdomen.
2.The other foot is then placed on the opposite thigh in a symmetrical way.
3.The knees are in contact with the ground. The torso is placed in balance and alignment such that the spinal column supports it with minimal muscular effort.
4.The torso is centered above the hips. To relax the head and neck, the jaw is allowed to fall towards the neck and the back of the neck to lengthen.
5.The shoulders move backwards and the ribcage lifts. The tongue rests on the roof of the mouth. The hands may rest on the knees in chin or jnana mudra(or chin mudra).
6.The arms are relaxed with the elbows slightly bent.
7.The eyes may be closed, the body relaxed, with awareness of the overall posture.
Adjustments are made until balance and alignment are experienced. Alignment that creates relaxation is indicative of a suitable posture for the asana. The posture should be natural and comfortable, without any sharp pains.
Variations in Padmasana:
Ardha padmasana:
padmasana may be difficult for begginers. For begginners it is good to practice ardha padmasana till they dont feel any pain in padmasana.
 |
| Ardha padmasana for begginers |
2.The other foot is then placed on the gound sole touching the calf muscle of other leg.
3.Repeat the same with the other le till leg are able to fit freely in padmasana.
Utthitha Padmasana:
To check the stamina level and also to uncrease this asana is helpful.
 | |||
| Utthitha Padmasana |
 |
| BKS Iyengarji in Utthitha Padmasana |
2.Place your both hands on the sides of your thigh or hip muscle lift up your body and get to Utthitha Padmasana position
3.Then keep floating your body to front and back with hands bent to move the knees wide opened in asana.
 |
| Lolasana variation |
1.The Lotus position is adopted to allow the body to be held completely steady for long periods of time.
2.As the body is steadied the mind becomes calm, the first step towards meditation.
3.The posture applies pressure to the lower spine which may facilitate relaxation.
4.The breath can slow down, muscular tension decrease and blood pressure subside.
5.The coccygeal and sacral nerves are toned as the normally large blood flow to the legs is redirected to the abdominal region.
6.Digestion may also be improved.
Picture And post are so reliable. Good Job.
ReplyDeletePadmasana Or Lotus position