Padmasana – The Lotus Pose for Meditation

Padmasana or the Lotus Pose is an important meditative asana and is mentioned in most yogic texts. In Sanskrit, ‘Padma’ means lotus and ‘Asana’ means pose. Padmasana is mentioned in the yogic text Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, as one of the main asanas for meditation that can destroy all diseases. If you see the drawings and sculptors of ancient yogis, you will notice that they are seated in Padmasana. Ancient statues of Shiva, Buddha and Mahavira are all depicted as sitting in Padmasana. The hand mudras may vary, but the legs are always shown seated in the lotus pose.

Padmasana is considered one of the best poses for meditation. In Padmasana, the legs are locked together and the lower body is absolutely stable. Also, the back and spine will be straight. This is perfect for longer periods of meditation as the body can be held motionless, with least distractions.

Padmasana is not easy for beginners. In the eastern traditions, people are used to sitting on the floor in the simple cross legged position, especially for meals. But in the western tradition, most people use the chair for sitting and for meals. In such cases, a little practice will be required to bring flexibility into the legs. One can do any exercise that stretches the lower legs, thigh and waist muscles to get this flexibility. Also the joints (ankles, knee and waist) should be made supple by doing Pawanmuktasana series of exercises. Those suffering from sciatica and sacral pain, weak knee joints, etc. should avoid this asana. 

How to do Padmasana (Lotus Pose)?

*Sit on the floor comfortably. Assume the simple cross legged pose where the legs are folded.

*Lift the left leg and place it on the right thigh.

*Now lift the right leg and place it over the left leg. The knees must touch the floor. If it doesn’t, don’t worry. *With practice it will, when the legs become flexible.

*Pull and adjust the legs so that soul of the feet face upwards and the heels are tucked in at the waist level 

  near the pelvic bone.

*Now, make the spine straight, broaden your chest (to avoid stooping) and place the hands in the gap 

  between the feet. Place the left palm over the right palm. Relax the muscles in the abdomen and chest. The     shoulders should be absolutely relaxed.

*You may close your eyes. Breathe slowly and deeply. Let the awareness be on the breathing process. 

  Experience the perfect balance and alignment of the entire body.

*Maintain this position for as long as comfortable. Those who wish to use this pose for meditation should sit 

  for at least 20 minutes. Slowly increase it so that your duration of meditation too can increase. At some    

  point the legs may start to pain. Once you have crossed your threshold of pain, slowly release the legs and     massage them gently, till the ache is gone. Over a period of time, you will be able to sit for long duration in     this asana. Those who are young will master this asana quickly. After an age of 30 – 35 years, the body is     less supple. Of course, with practice anyone, even those above 60 years, can master this asana. It is said  

  that if one can sit in a asana for three and half hours, then one is said to have attained siddhi in that asana.  One need not go to such extremes; even 30 minutes to an hour is good enough for most practitioners.

*One of the main points to be noted in meditative asanas, is that the body should be absolutely still and  

  relaxed. There should be no pains or stress, otherwise instead of meditating, attention will be drawn to the     body and its discomforts. One may use a soft support (soft pillow, cushion, etc.) under the buttocks to  

  achieve the comfort.

*Padmasana can also be done with the left leg over the right leg. In this case, first the right leg is placed on 

  the left thigh. Then the left leg is place over the right leg. But traditionally, it is practiced the other way (with   right leg over left leg). If you notice statues of Lord Buddha which are excavated from ancient temples,    

  which are over 2000 years old, you will see that the right leg is placed over the left leg.

*In the yogic text Hatha Yoga Pradeepika , it is mentioned that one can gaze at the tip of the nose and keep   the tongue touching the roof of the palette (behind the teeth) during meditation in Padmasana. This is   

  supposed to help the prana (apana vayu) raise up the spine.

Position of hands in Padmasana (Lotus Pose)

        Padmasana can also be done with hands resting on the knees. In this case, the elbows are slightly bent and the hands rest on the knees, with palms facing upwards. Chin mudra or Jnana mudra can also be performed with the fingers.

Benefits of Padmasana (Lotus Pose)

*Padmasana is considered one of the best asanas for meditation. The body can be held steady and straight 

  for long durations.

*When there is hardly any distraction from the body, the mind can be made calm. Awareness of the      

 breathing process also helps to steady the mind. The body and mind are intricately connected. A steady    

 body can help to bring steadiness in the mind.

*The spine is kept straight and this helps to channel the energy from the lower spiritual centers or chakras    

  upwards towards Sahasrara chakra. The erect spine aids the free flow of prana along the spinal cord.

*Padmasana can tone the coccygeal and sacral nerves as the blood flow to the legs are restricted and    

  redirected to the abdominal region. It may improve digestion too.

*Sitting in Padmasana can relieve many metal and emotional problems.

*In Hatha Yoga Pradeepika it is said that a yogi you can control breathing sitting in Padmasana, can become   free of all bondages. Hence it is an excellent asana for practicing advanced pranayama techniques.