Names

Padmasana, Lotus Pose, Lotus Seat

This yoga posture is called ‘Lotus’ as your feet resemble the petals of an open lotus flower.

How to sit in Padmasana

Sit with your legs stretched out in front of you. Bend your left knee and place your left heel on top of your right thigh as close to your body as you can, the sole facing upwards.

Now bend your right knee and place your foot on top of your left thigh at the same spot with the sole facing upwards.

Sit straight, relax your shoulders and place your hands in Anjali Mudra in your lap.

Benefits of the Lotus Pose

Sitting in Padmasana has a calming effect on your mind and body. It slows down your breath and regulates it so that breathing and with it the blood circulation gets relief from stress and excitement.

It is the perfect pose for short and long meditations and Pranayama, breathing exercises which is why it has been popular for thousands of years and is the symbol of a meditating person.

It stretches your knees and ankles and makes them more flexible.
Practice of Padmasana opens the hips and is thus recommended for women during pregnancy.

Focus Points

Relax in the posture. It may seem a bit hard in the beginning but with some practice you will realize how your body naturally finds its comfort in Padmasana.

Tips and Help

As mentioned, it may take some time until you really feel comfortable sitting in the Lotus Pose but trust us, it just takes practice! Start with little, some minutes per day and increase the length of time step by step.

Whenever you feel uneasiness or even pain in your legs, change into another position.