Sitting Group

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The Sitting Asanas

The sitting group of asanas includes those postures that have either vajrasana or padmasana as their base positions. Both of these asanas belong to the meditative group of asanas. The base position of an asana is the starting position or the position in which the body rests at the end of the asana. Each asana has a base position that can lead to a number of different positions.

Sitting practices are divided into two major groups:

• The Vajrasana Group: According to Indian mythology, Vajra, a thunderbolt is the weapon of Lord Indra, king of the gods. The roots of this metaphoric name are: the vajrasana regulates the vajra nadi, a major nadi directly connected with the genito-urinary system that regulates the sexual energy in the body. Sexual desire is one of the basic human instincts, and is a major driving force behind human actions and behavior. Proper conservation of this primal energy can lead to extraordinary achievements. Asanas included in this group tone the reproductive and digestive organs.

• The Padmasana Group:

  Idam padmaasanam proktam sarvavyaadhivinaashanam.
  Durlabham yen kenaapi dhimataa labhyate bhuvi.

  Hatha Yoga Pradipika-1:47

Meaning: This is called padmasana, destroyer of all diseases. Ordinary people cannot achieve this posture, only the few wise ones on this earth can.

Padmasana is considered to be one of the best sitting meditative postures in the yoga tradition. It allows a practitioner to be completely still and steady whilst seated for long periods of time. With a steady body, the mind also becomes calm, providing a strong foundation for meditative practices. The positions under this group enhance the benefits of meditation, as energy is redirected and concentrated towards the higher centers of the body.