Siddhasana
Siddhasana (Sanskrit: सिद्धासन; IAST: siddhāsana) or Accomplished Pose for men is an asana.[1]
Etymology
The name comes from the Sanskrit words siddha (सिद्ध; siddha) meaning both "perfect" and "adept",[2] and asana (आसन; āsana) meaning "posture" or "seat".[3]
Description
From a seated position, one heel is brought to press on the perineum with the sole of the foot flat against the inner thigh. The body sits on top of this heel. Adjustments are made until the body is comfortable and the pressure is firmly applied. Then the opposite ankle is placed over the first, so the ankle bones are touching and the heels are above one another with the top heel pressing the pubis directly above the genitals. The genitals will then lie in between the two heels. The toes and outer edge of the top foot are pushed down into the space between the calf and thigh muscles. The toes of the bottom foot are pulled up into the similar space on the opposite side. The spine is held erect. A small meditation cushion or zafu is sometimes used to aid vertical back alignment.[4]
The Accomplished Pose for women or Siddha Yoni Asana is the same, except the bottom heel is placed firmly against or inside the labia majora of the vagina and the top heel is placed so it presses the clitoris.[5]
Usage
Siddhasana and Padmasana (Lotus Pose) are the two asanas traditionally used for dhyana (meditation) and pranayama (breath) exercises.[6] Sukhasana (Pleasant Pose) is a substitute that is easier on the knees. Many people are not able to practice Padmasana due to the inflexibility long-term chair sitting has caused in their hips. This is common in Western culture. For them Siddhasana is highly recommended.
Siddhasana is considered superior to Padmasana, Sukhasana and Svastikasana to meditate in and natural for Mula Bandha and kundalini kriya for higher attainments while directly influencing Muladhara and Svadhishthana chakras.
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika asks,[7]
When siddhaasana is mastered, of what use are the various other postures?
See also
References
- ↑ "Witold Fitz-Simon - Siddhasana (Accomplished Pose)". Retrieved 2011-07-04.
- ↑ Feuerstein, Georg; Payne, Larry (5 April 2010). Yoga For Dummies. For Dummies. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-470-50202-0. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
- ↑ Sinha, S.C. (1 June 1996). Dictionary of Philosophy. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. p. 18. ISBN 978-81-7041-293-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ↑ Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha (PDF). p. 100.
- ↑ Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha (PDF). p. 102.
- ↑ Upadhyaya, Rajnikant; Sharma, Gopal (1 January 2006). Awake Kundalini. Lotus Press. p. 54. ISBN 978-81-8382-039-4. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
- ↑ Feuerstein, Georg (22 March 2011). The Path of Yoga: An Essential Guide to Its Principles and Practices. Shambhala Publications. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-59030-883-7. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
Further reading
- Iyengar, B. K. S. (1 October 2005). Illustrated Light On Yoga. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-81-7223-606-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- Saraswati, Swami Janakananda (1 February 1992). Yoga, Tantra and Meditation in Daily Life. Weiser Books. ISBN 978-0-87728-768-1. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- Saraswati, Swami Satyananda (1 August 2003). Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha. Nesma Books India. ISBN 978-81-86336-14-4. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- Saraswati, Swami Satyananda (January 2004). A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya. Nesma Books India. ISBN 978-81-85787-08-4. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
