lotus position

File:Sacred lotus Nelumbo nucifera.jpg, grows out of mud, thus symbolising enlightenment.{{cite journal |last1=Baillie |first1=Allan |last2=Ostro |first2=Suzanne |title=The Lotus |journal=Tricycle, the Buddhist Review |date=1999 |volume=8 |issue=3, Spring 1999 |url=https://tricycle.org/magazine/the-lotus/ |access-date=11 April 2020}}]]

The name Padmasana is from the Sanskrit पद्म Padma, "lotus" and आसन, Āsana, "posture" or "seat".{{sfn|Iyengar|1991|pages=129-133}}{{cite book |last=Zimmer |first=Heinrich Robert |author-link=Heinrich Zimmer |title=Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5IYVBgAAQBAJ |year=2015 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-1-4008-6684-7 |pages=100, 220 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906092006/https://books.google.com/books?id=5IYVBgAAQBAJ |archive-date=6 September 2017 |url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} In Asian cultures,{{cite journal |last= Devendra |first=D. T. |title=Lotus without Symbolism |journal=The Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland |date=1969 |volume=13|pages=83–92 |jstor=43483467}} the sacred lotus is used as a symbol of growth towards perfection and enlightenment as it is rooted in the mud at the bottom of the pond, but rises and blooms above the water.{{sfn|Temple|2007|p=Chapter 1, The Symbolism of the Lotus Flower}} In Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism, the pose is also called the "vajra position" (Skt. vajrāsana, Ch. 金剛座 jīngāngzuò).{{cite book | last=Hua | first=Hsuan | title=The Chan handbook: talks about meditation | url=http://www.longbeachmonastery.org/the_chan_handbook.pdf | year=2004 | publisher=Buddhist Text Translation Society| isbn=0-88139-951-5 | page=36 | access-date=17 December 2018| url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328134240/http://www.longbeachmonastery.org/the_chan_handbook.pdf | archive-date=28 March 2012 | df=dmy-all}}{{cite book |last=Rinpoche |first=Patrul |title=Words of My Perfect Teacher: A Complete Translation of a Classic Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism |edition=Revised |author2=Padmakara Translation Group (trans.) |publisher=AltaMira Press |year=1998 |page=440}}

The pose is ancient and is described, along with other asanas (sitting postures), in the 8th century book Patanjalayogashastravivarana.{{sfn|Mallinson|Singleton|2017|p=97}} A figure seated in lotus position on a lotus flower is shown on dinar coins of Chandragupta II, who reigned c. 380–c. 415 AD.{{cite book |author1=Los Angeles County Museum of Art |last2=Pal |first2=Pratapaditya |title=Indian Sculpture: Circa 500 B.C.-A.D. 700 |url=https://archive.org/details/indiansculpturec00losa |url-access=registration |year=1986 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-05991-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/indiansculpturec00losa/page/110 110] |quote=Reverse: Goddess, nimbate, sitting en face on lotus with legs folded in lotus position. Diadem or noose in right hand, lotus flower turned towards her in left. .. Legend: Śrī-vikramaḥ (the courageous one).}} The first tantric text to discuss posture (asana), the 6th-10th century Nisvasattvasamhita Nayasutra (4.11-17, 4.104-106), directs the meditator and "user of mantras" to sit in lotus or a similar posture.{{sfn|Mallinson|Singleton|2017|pp=99-100}} The 15th century Hatha Yoga Pradipika states that the pose destroys all diseases, and that a yogin in the pose who retains the air breathed in through the nadi channels attains liberation.{{sfn|Mallinson|Singleton|2017|p=111}}

Sukhasana is from Sanskrit सुख sukha, meaning "pleasure" or "ease".{{cite book |last=Joshi |first=K. S. |title=Yogic Pranayama: Breathing for Long and Good Health |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NagKQNRaLtAC&pg=PA45 |year=1991 |publisher=Orient Paperbacks |isbn=978-81-222-0089-8| page=45}} The 19th century Sritattvanidhi describes and illustrates the pose.{{cite book |last1=Sjoman |first1=Norman E. |author-link=Norman Sjoman |title=The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace |title-link=The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace |publisher=Abhinav Publications |year=1999 |edition=2nd |orig-year=1996 |isbn=81-7017-389-2 |pages=80, 89, 96}} The name, and the more general name Yogasana ("Yoga pose") which may denote a variety of sitting poses, is found in much older documents as a meditation seat, such as in the 4th century Darshana Upanishad.{{cite book |last1=Larson |first1=Gerald James |last2=Bhattacharya |first2=Ram Shankar |title=Yoga : India's Philosophy of Meditation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p6pURGdBBmIC&pg=PA599 |year=2008 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-3349-4 |pages=479, 599}}

From sitting cross-legged on the floor (Sukhasana), one foot is placed on top of the opposite thigh with its sole facing upward and heel close to the abdomen. The other foot is then placed on the opposite thigh as symmetrically as possible.{{sfn|Iyengar|1991|pages=129-133}} The pose requires "very open hips".{{cite book | last=Powers | first=Sarah |author-link=Sarah Powers | title=Insight Yoga | publisher=Shambhala | year=2008 | isbn=978-1-59030-598-0 | oclc=216937520 | page=181}} It can be modified using a support such as a cushion or blanket; by sitting on its forward edge, the pelvis is tilted forward.{{cite book |last1=Mehta |first1=Silva |last2=Mehta |first2=Mira |author2-link=Mira Mehta |last3=Mehta |first3=Shyam |date=1990 |title=Yoga: The Iyengar Way |publisher=Dorling Kindersley |isbn=978-0863184208 |page=54}}{{cite book |last1=Pynt |first1=Jenny |last2=Higgs |first2=Joy |title=A History of Seating, 3000 BC to 2000 AD: Function Versus Aesthetics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2KFPUOLQc2oC&pg=PA101 |year=2010 |publisher=Cambria Press |isbn=978-1-60497-718-9| page=101, note 18}}

{{anchor|Variations}}

Sukhasana ({{langx|sa|सुखासन|translit=Sukhāsana}}), Easy Pose, has the legs simply crossed in front of the body.{{cite web |last1=Costello |first1=Nikki |title=Sukhasana Isn't All Easy |url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2481 |publisher=Yoga Journal |access-date=17 November 2022 |date=25 March 2013}}{{cite book |last=Maharsi |first=Ramana |title=The teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi in his own words |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c-4XAAAAIAAJ |year=1962 |publisher=Rider |page=134}}

In half lotus, अर्ध पद्मासन (Ardha Padmasana), one leg is bent and resting on the ground, the other leg is bent with the foot in lotus position. It is an easier meditation position than full lotus.{{cite book |author=Swami Satyananda Saraswati |author-link=Swami Satyananda Saraswati |title=Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha |url=http://www.znakovi-vremena.net/en/Swami-Satyananda-Saraswati---Asana-Pranayama-Mudra-Bandha.pdf |publisher=Yoga Publications Trust |location=Munger, Bihar, India |year=1996 |page=97 |isbn=978-81-86336-14-4 |access-date=11 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807084750/http://www.znakovi-vremena.net/en/Swami-Satyananda-Saraswati---Asana-Pranayama-Mudra-Bandha.pdf |archive-date=7 August 2015 |url-status=dead }}

In bound lotus, बद्ध पद्मासन (Baddha Padmasana), the practitioner sits in full lotus, and each hand reaches around the back to grasp the opposite foot.{{cite book |last1=Sjoman |first1=Norman E. |author-link=Norman Sjoman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ISBN8170173892 |title=The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace |publisher=Abhinav Publications |year=1999 |edition=2nd |orig-year=1996 |isbn=81-7017-389-2 |page=Plate 6 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

For psychic union pose, योगमुद्रासन (Yogamudrasana), the practitioner bends forward in full lotus, bringing the forehead as close to the floor as possible.{{sfn|Saraswati|2004|pp=182-183}} The pose is both an asana and a mudra; easier variants begin from Ardha Padmasana.{{cite book | author=Vishnudevananda |author-link=Vishnudevananda | title=The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga | publisher=Crown Trade Paperbacks | location=New York | year=1988 | isbn=978-0-517-88431-7 | oclc=32442598 | pages=plates 128–129}}

Variations of several other asanas such as Sirsasana (yoga headstand), Sarvangasana (shoulderstand), Simhasana (lion pose), Matsyasana (fish pose), and Gorakshasana (cowherd pose) have the legs in lotus.{{sfn|Iyengar|1991|pp=137-139, 142-143, 204-206, 230-237}} Asanas such as Vatayanasana (horse pose) and advanced forms of Ardha Matsyendrasana (half lord of the fishes pose) have one leg as in half lotus.{{sfn|Iyengar|1991|pp=98-99, 270-276}}

File:Sukhasana.jpg|Sukhasana, easy pose

File:Bharadwaja (detail).jpg|The sage Bharadvaja meditating in half lotus. 19th century

File:Flickr - Nicholas T - Taut.jpg|Baddha Padmasana

File:A scene of Yoga mudra.JPG|Yogamudrasana

File:Padma-shirshasana (cropped).jpg|Padma Sirsasana, lotus headstand

Lotus is one of the yoga poses that most commonly causes injury.{{cite journal |last1=Acott |first1=Ted S. |last2=Cramer |first2=Holger |last3=Krucoff |first3=Carol |last4=Dobos |first4=Gustav |title=Adverse Events Associated with Yoga: A Systematic Review of Published Case Reports and Case Series |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=8 |issue=10 |year=2013 |pages=e75515 |issn=1932-6203 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0075515|pmid=24146758 |pmc=3797727 |bibcode=2013PLoSO...875515C |doi-access=free }}{{cite journal |last1=Penman |first1=Stephen |last2=Stevens |first2=Philip |last3=Cohen |first3=Marc |last4=Jackson |first4=Sue |title=Yoga in Australia: Results of a national survey |journal=International Journal of Yoga |volume=5 |issue=2 |year=2012 |pages=92–101 |issn=0973-6131 |doi=10.4103/0973-6131.98217|pmid=22869991 |pmc=3410203 |doi-access=free }} Attempts to force the legs into lotus pose can injure the knees by squeezing and damaging the medial meniscus cartilage; this is painful and takes a long time to heal. The hip joints must rotate outwards approximately 115 degrees to permit full lotus. Students who cannot achieve this much hip rotation may try to compensate by bending the knee joint sideways, risking injury. Rather than bending the knee, the thighs can be encouraged to rotate outwards (using hand pressure or a strap).{{cite web |last1=Cole |first1=Roger |title=How to Protect the Knees in Lotus and Related Postures |url=https://www.yogajournal.com/teach/protect-the-knees-in-lotus-and-related-postures |publisher=Yoga Journal |date=5 February 2019 |orig-year=2007}}

The yoga guru B. K. S. Iyengar notes that people unused to sitting on the floor will initially feel "excruciating" pain in the knees, but that this subsides with practice, until the pose becomes relaxing, both restful and alert and hence ideal for pranayama.{{sfn|Iyengar|1991|p=131}}

Twentieth century advocates of some schools of yoga, such as Iyengar, made claims for the effects of yoga on specific organs, without adducing any evidence.{{sfn|Newcombe|2019|pp=203-227, Chapter "Yoga as Therapy"}}{{sfn|Jain|2015|pp=82–83}}

Iyengar claimed that Padmasana encourages blood circulation in the abdomen and lumbar region, toning the spine and abdominal organs.{{sfn|Iyengar|1991|pp=131-132}}

{{further|Lotus throne}}

In Buddhism, statues of the founder, Gautama Buddha, sometimes depict him seated in lotus position and enthroned on a lotus flower.{{cite web |title=Buddhas Crossed Legged Position - Lotus Position |url=https://www.burmese-art.com/blog/buddha-crossed-legged-position |publisher=Asian Art |access-date=11 April 2020 |quote=One of the most popular seated positions of Lord Buddha is crossed legged position. In various Buddhism traditions like Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism, Lord Buddha is often shown with his ankles tucked and different hand and fingers position. The seated Crossed legged position is known as Lotus position.}}{{cite web |title=Lotus-Enthroned Buddha Akshobhya, the Transcendent Buddha,8th–early 9th century |url=https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/38940 |publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art |access-date=2 August 2019}}{{cite web |title=Representation of: Buddha (Śākyamuni/Gotama/Shaka) |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=261567&partId=1&searchText=sakyamuni&place=42791&from=ad&fromDate=1400&to=ad&toDate=1450&matcult=15718&page=1 |publisher=British Museum |access-date=2 August 2019}}

In Hinduism, statues often depict gods, especially Shiva, meditating in Padmasana.{{cite web |last=Dehejia |first=Vidya |title=Recognizing the Gods |url=https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/gods/hd_gods.htm |publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art |date=February 2007}} In Bali, a Padmasana is also a type of Hindu shrine, named for the posture.{{cite book |last=Auger |first=Timothy |year=2001 |title=Bali & Lombok |series=Eyewitness Travel Guides |location=London |publisher=Dorling Kindersley |isbn=0751368709 |pages=26, 46–47}}{{cite book |last=Eiseman |first=Fred B. Jr. |year=2011 |title=Bali – Sekala and Niskala: Essays on religion, ritual, and art |publisher=Tuttle Publishing |isbn=978-1462900923 |page=266}}

In Jainism, seated Tirthankaras are represented in Lotus posture.{{cite book |last=Wiley |first=Kristi L. |title=Historical Dictionary of Jainism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QCT-CQAAQBAJ&pg=PA98 |year=2004 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-6558-7 |page=98 |quote=Tirthankaras are depicted in only two postures: seated in the classic lotus position (padmasana), which represents the Tirthankara preaching in the assembly hall (samavasarana), and standing in the kayotsarga posture, which represents abandoning the body.}}

File:Patan Parshvanatha.jpg|A 10th century CE idol of Parshvanatha in Lotus position from Patan, Gujarat

File:Monkey gives honey to Buddha Shakyamuni, India, Bihar, probably Kurkihar, Pala dynasty, c. 1000 AD, black stone - Östasiatiska museet, Stockholm - DSC09270.JPG|Gautama Buddha

File:Sivakempfort.jpg|Shiva

File:Mahavir.jpg|Mahavira

Pura Jagatnatha in Bali; David Stanley; November 2011.jpg|A Padmasana shrine, here of Pura Jagatnatha in Denpasar, Bali

The scholar of religion Thomas Tweed wrote in 2008 that "the prevailing image of Buddhist practice has been the solitary meditator, eyes half closed, sitting in the lotus position."{{cite journal |last=Tweed |first=Thomas A. |title=Why are Buddhists so nice? Media representations of Buddhism and Islam in the United States since 1945 |journal=Material Religion |date=2008 |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=91–93 |doi=10.2752/175183408X288168|s2cid=192174202 }} Ian Fleming's 1964 novel You Only Live Twice has the action hero James Bond visiting Japan, where he "assiduously practised sitting in the lotus position."{{cite book |last1=Fleming |first1=Ian |author-link=Ian Fleming |title=You Only Live Twice |date=2012|orig-year=1964 |page=10 |publisher=Random House |isbn=9781448139361 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=25FINpIYV-AC}} The critic Lisa M. Dresner notes that Bond is mirroring Fleming's own struggles with the pose.{{cite journal |last=Dresner |first=Lisa M. |title="Barbary Apes Wrecking a Boudoir": Reaffirmations of and Challenges to Western Masculinity in Ian Fleming's Japan Narratives |journal=The Journal of Popular Culture |volume=49 |issue=3 |year=2016 |pages=627–645 |issn=0022-3840 |doi=10.1111/jpcu.12422}} The BBC journalist Megan Lane commented in 2003 that since yoga as exercise had become mainstream, lotus position (like tree pose) had been used by advertisers to sell "all manner of goods and services."{{cite web |last1=Lane |first1=Mega |title=The tyranny of yoga |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3174356.stm |publisher=BBC |date=9 October 2003}} She noted that both "healthy living" goods such as vitamins, fitness clubs, water filter and probiotic yogurt, and unrelated items such as cars, airlines, financial services "and even beer" have made use of images of yoga to convey a message of well-being. Poland's Obory Dairy gave its advertising agency the goal of creating awareness of their "Jogi" yogurt as exclusive and with a positive image. The agency responded with a photograph of two young women meditating in lotus pose at dawn under the heading "Start your day with Jogi", the brand name also meaning "yoga" in Polish.{{cite book |last1=Lee |first1=Monle |last2=Johnson |first2=Carla |title=Principles of Advertising: A Global Perspective |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3TjXcAKGKUIC&pg=PA213 |year=2005 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-0-7890-2300-1 |pages=213–215}}

• Kukkutasana, cockerel pose, a balancing asana with the hands threaded through the folded legs of Padmasana
• List of asanas
• Maravijaya
• Padmasana (shrine)
• Zazen

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Refbegin|30em}}

• {{cite book |last=Iyengar |first=B. K. S. |author-link=B. K. S. Iyengar |title=Light on Yoga |date=1991 |orig-year=1966 |publisher=Unwin Paperbacks |isbn=978-1855381667 }}
• {{cite book | last=Jain | first=Andrea |author-link=Andrea Jain | title=Selling Yoga : from Counterculture to Pop culture | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=2015 | isbn=978-0-19-939024-3 | oclc=878953765 }}
• {{cite book | last1=Mallinson | first1=James |author1-link=James Mallinson (author) |last2=Singleton |first2=Mark |author2-link=Mark Singleton (yoga researcher) | title=Roots of Yoga | publisher=Penguin Books | year=2017 | isbn=978-0-241-25304-5 | oclc=928480104 }}
• {{cite book |last=Newcombe |first=Suzanne |author-link=Suzanne Newcombe |year=2019 |title=Yoga in Britain: Stretching Spirituality and Educating Yogis |location=Bristol, England |publisher=Equinox Publishing |isbn=978-1-78179-661-0 }}
• {{cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Satyananda |author-link=Satyananda Saraswati |title=A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eWOrAAAACAAJ |date=January 2004 |publisher=Nesma Books India |isbn=978-81-85787-08-4 }}
• {{cite book |last=Temple |first=Anton |title=Becoming the lotus: a systematic course of stretching and posture leading to the safe and comfortable adoption of the lotus posture, including a guide to the symbolism and spiritual meaning behind the lotus flower |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-ZRuPgAACAAJ |year=2007 |publisher=Merkur |isbn=978-1-885928-18-4 }}

{{Refend}}

{{commons category|Padmāsana}}

• [https://upashanayoga.com/steps-and-benefits-of-padmasana-yoga/ Benefits Of Padmasana]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721184541/http://www.ashtangayoga.info/practice/asana-vinyasa-series/the-finishing-sequence/item/padmasana/ Padmāsana (पद्मासन) with detailed explanation]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20151118034717/http://dharma.hostoi.com/index.php?p=1_12 How to sit in Ardha Padmasana]

{{Asana}}

{{Hatha yoga}}

{{Yoga}}

{{Yoga as exercise}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lotus Position}}

Category:Buddhist meditation

Category:Sitting asanas

Category:Meditation asanas

Category:Medieval Hatha Yoga asanas

Category:Asymmetric asanas