How to practice Padmasana?

What is  Padmasana or the Lotus Pose

 The Padmasana or the Lotus pose is on of the important and most familiar poses of all yoga poses. The Padmasana or the Lotus Pose has gained its name from Sanskrit word Padma which means Lotus because the legs look like blooming lotus in this pose.  The Padmasana provides a firm pose on which to sit for meditation.   Hence the padmasana is best suited for Pranayam, Meditation and concentration. 

How to practice Padmasana?

 In order to practice padmasana, follow the step by step instructions given below.

• First sit with legs extended forward in front of you.
• Now take the left foot and bring it up on to the right thigh with the soles of the foot upturned.
• Now take the right foot and bring it up over the left leg so that it can be placed similarly on the left thigh.
• Take hold of both feet and ease them so that you can be in a balanced symmetrical position.
• The head, neck and spine should always be straight in Padmasana.
• Now place the hands on the knees with the fingers depicting the holy sign as in Jnana mudra.  
• Close the eyes and concentrate on normal breathing.  
• Sit in the Padmasana pose as long as you can.

 

Benefits of  Padmasana

 Here is a list of some of the benefits of practicing Padmasana

• Padmasana destroys all diseases and awakens your kundalini energy ( the dormant spiritual energy)
• Calms the brain and mind
• Keeps the spine straight
• Helps to develop good posture
• Helps knee joints and ligaments to be flexible
• Stimulates the spine, abdomen and bladder

Please do not practice padmasana if you have knee or ankle injury.   Here is a video of how to practice Padmasana.