Lesson Overview

• Features: Sukhasanaa (Easy Posture), Siddhasana (Accomplished Pose), Virasana (Hero’s Pose), Padmasana (Lotus Posture), and related pose such as Baddha Padmasana (Bound Lotus Posture)
• Objective: Become knowledgeable about the poses and review detailed teaching considerations.
• Description: Explain the Sanskrit naming; contraindications and cautions; associated benefits and typical effects; instructions and cues for setting up and practicing the pose; variations to meet particular intentions and needs; and more teaching considerations.

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Sukhasana

soo-KAHS-ah-nah

“sukha” = easy, comfortable

Easy Posture

Swastikasana

“svastik” = auspicious

Auspicious Pose

Siddhasana

sid-AHS-ah-nah

“siddis” = psychic powers

Accomplished Pose

Vajrasana

vuj-RAHS-uh-nuh

“vajra” = thunderbolt or diamond

Thunderbolt Pose

Also known as: Diamond Pose

Virasana

veer-AHS-ah-nah

“vira” = a hero

Hero’s Pose

Padmasana

pod-MAHS-ah-nah

“padma” = lotus

Lotus Posture

Heart of Poses

• Meditation Seat

Notes

• The priority in meditation seats is keeping the natural spinal curves intact.
• The majority of sources that use the name Swastikasana  (Auspicious Pose) are Iyengar practitioners, referring to a Cross Legged Seat (also called Sukhasana).
• A few sources use the name Swastikasana to refer to the poses Siddhasana  (Accomplished Pose) or Padmasana  (Lotus Pose).
• Sukhasana (Easy Pose) may be referred to as a variation of Swastikasana as in this video
• See Cautions in menu above for ankles, knees, rounding low back.

Much More in this Digest

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See Also

• Asana Categories
• General Alignment Principles
• Alignment Cueing