Step by step padmasana

(May 24, 2012)

Padmasana or the lotus pose is one of the beginner poses in yoga. It is easy to do and can be a good introduction to a lifestyle with yoga. It is a basic pose where you sit cross-legged and start meditation. It is a great asana to improve concentration and focus, something most asanas or poses in yoga emphasize on.

For the asana you first need to sit on the floor, with legs stretched out in front of you and your spine erect.
Fold your right leg in a way to bring it closer to you.
Place your right heel on the left thigh.
Following this fold your left leg and bring it closer to you.
Place the left heel on your right thigh.
Once you manage both heels on alternate thighs, it means you are in the complete padmasana or the lotus asana. When you start out, it might not be possible but eventually your heels should reach the crease of your hips.
Place your arms in the center, facing upwards and meditate. Meditation helps to also maintain a good posture.

When you start out, you might do half a padmasana which is sitting in the position with one heel on the opposite thigh. As your flexibility improves, you should aim to achieve the full lotus pose.

There are also some poses derived from padmasana. These are baddha padmasana or the closed lotus pose and ardha padmasana or the half lotus pose. Ardha padmasana or the half lotus pose has been discussed above. The baddha padmasana involves all steps of padmasana and an additional step. In this additional step, take your right hand and try and catch the toe of your left leg, over your back. Similarly, repeat this with your left hand and right leg. This additional step gives great additional benefits like toning of breasts in women. Done regularly, it improves the health of the liver, spine and the heart.

Submitted by C D on May 24, 2012 at 06:31

Is it true that padmasana or lotus pose stop height?

Padmasan is a beginner level yoga pose that has immense benefits and in no way will restrict your height. In fact regular practice of padmasana or the lotus pose is likely to stop the slight reduction of height as you age. Padmasana helps improve your overall body posture and is very beneficial to the spine as it helps keep your spine straight.

Proper knowledge of the pose, the methodology as well as its benefits will help to clear all your misconceptions regarding the pose:

This asana requires you to be seated on the floor with legs stretched out in front of you and your spine erect. Bend you left leg at the knee and bring it closer to you. Let the heel of your right heel rest on your left thigh. Then fold your left leg and bring it closer to you. Place the left heel on your right thigh.

There are many benefits like of padmasana like toning of breasts in women. Done regularly, it improves the health of the liver, spine and the heart. Of course, your posture is good. Your leg joints like that of your knee, ankle and hip benefit and become flexible. There are other asanas which are also derived from padmasana like baddha padmasana or a closed lotus pose and even one asana in which you swing from your hands, after assuming the padmasana pose.

It is important that you perform the pose in the right manner in order to gain the full benefits of the pose. You could therefore look for a yoga instructor or also get your hands on some videos to know the right way to perform the pose. Remember that your height cannot be increased or decreased to a large extent and padmasana (lotus pose) will help tone your muscles in a way to give the body the right posture.

Submitted by R J on May 24, 2012 at 06:31