Siddhasana - How to practice it

Siddhasana also known as Ardha Padmasana  got its name from sanskrit words "Siddha" means "perfect" and "asana" means "pose".  

Siddhasana and padmasana are the two asanas traditionally used for Dhyana or meditation and breathing exercises.  Siddhasana is one of the most important asanas whose practice purifies the 72,000 nadis in the body.    The Siddhasana improves the flexibility of your hips, knees, and ankles and strengthens the back.  This posture is considered as the perfect meditation posture.  Here is the method to practice Siddhasana.

Steps to practice Siddhasana

• Sit on the floor with legs close to each other
• Now take the left foot and place it at he perineum.
• Now take the right foot and place it over the left foot
• To make the posture steadier, slide the right foot toes into the space between the left calf muscles. This may require some adjustment to the position. It is like creating a lock, so that the lower body is stable for long durations of meditation.
• The knees should touch the floor.  Make your spine straight now
• The chin can press against the chest.
• Gaze at the space between the eyebrows. And become aware of your breathing process. The breathing can be natural and deep. One may also practice Ujjayi breathing according to one’s meditation technique.
• The hands can be kept on the knees. One may assume the Chin Mudra or the Jnana Mudra with the fingers, if one wishes.
• Maintain this position for as long as you are comfortable.

Benefits of Siddhasana

1. Siddhasana is one of the main poses used for meditation. One can maintain this position for a long duration. Those who have difficulty practicing Padmasana can easily practice Siddhasana for extended periods. This asana holds the spinal column straight and steady.
2. In Siddhasana, the heel is kept pressed against the Mooladharachakra. This ensures that the energy currents flow upwards towards the spine.
3. The position of the heels also stimulates the lower two chakrasMooladhara and Swadhistana. The sexual energy is channelized upwards and converted into subtle energy called ‘ojas’.
4. It also gives the practitioner control over his sex urge and the sexual functions.
5. In Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, it is said that Siddhasana stabilizes the nervous system by calming down the pranic energy.

Here is a video on how to practice Siddhasana.....

Swastikasana - How to practice

Swastikasana or the Auspicious Pose is a very easy yoga pose for those who can not attempt the more difficult asanas like padmasana and siddhasana.  The Indian symbol of Swastika is a symbol o fauspiciousness.  The position of legs in the Swastikasana resemble the symbol of Swastika.   

The Swastikasana is relatively easy to practice and can be used for meditative purposes.  The swastikasana has a history dating back to the 200 BC where it was first described. The swastikasana is a comfortable pose which maintains the concentration of a person.

The swastikasana helps one to maintain temperature normally within the body and tones the abdominal muscles.  Here is a step by step procedure to practice swastikasana.

Steps to perform Swastikasana

Here is the steps to practice swastikasana.

• First sit on the floor with legs spread out in front of you.
• Fold the left leg and place the sole of the left leg against the inner thigh of the right leg.
• Now bend the righe leg and place the right foot in the space between the left thigh and calf muscles.
• Grasp the left foot by the toes and pull it up and place it between the right calf and thigh.
• Ensure that the knees touch the floor firmly.
• Feel comfortable by adjusting the pose
• Keep the body and trunk straight
• The hands can be placed on the knees in any of the classical meditation mudras like Chin mudra or Jnana mudra
• Maintain awareness on the breath.  You can also concentrate on the tip of the nose or the eye brow center depending on the type of meditation technique.
• Come out the pose by stretching out the right leg first and then left leg

Benefits of Swastikasana

• This is a good meditation pose for those who find it difficult to sit in more classical poses like padmasana or the siddhasana
• Even the people suffering from varicose veins and aching leg muscles can sit in swastikasana
• This is a good pose for meditation and relaxation
• The spinal cord gets stretched and becomes stronger with this asana
• If you practice swastikasana regularly, the abdominal muscles gets toned up
• High Blood Pressure patients can practice this asana to control the B.P

Here is a video on how to perform swastikasana...


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