Introduction
Sukhasana is a simple cross-legged seated yoga pose usually meant for meditation. Also, it is the basic level Yoga Posture for beginners. This yoga posture is the oldest of all yoga postures including Padmasana.
As it is the most fundamental pose for other seated yoga poses, its importance cannot be overlooked.
Sukhasana Information
| Pose Name | Sukhasana |
| Sanskrit | सुखासन |
| IAST | Sukhāsana |
| English Name | Easy Pose Pleasant Pose |
| Level | Basic |
| Origin | Ancient Indian |
| Type | Cross Legged Seated Pose. |
Sukhasana Meaning
The Sanskrit word Sukh means wellness or comfort. It is known as Comfort Pose. It is commonly translated into English as Easy Pose. Easy means ‘effortless’. But it is not the perfect translation.
The other names of Easy Pose are Pleasant Pose and Decent Post.
Fifty years ago, Indian people commonly used this pose for sitting, eating, and other day-to-day activities, but not as a yoga practice. Hence it is very easy for them to perform. Maybe, for this reason, this posture gets this name in English as Easy Pose.
Yet, it is not that easy for a westerner who has little experience in cross-legged sitting. With the influence of western culture in India, now it has become harder for Indians too.
Sometimes, the term Sukhasana used to mean any posture that gives comfort. However, in this article, we take the meaning of Easy posture.
Sukhasana Pronunciation
One can pronounce this as SOO-HAA-SAH-NAH
Sukhasana Step-by-Step Procedure
Safety and Precautions
Sukhasana should be avoided in following health conditions.
- Sciatica
- Sacral Ailments
- Knee disorders
Preparatory Poses
This posture requires little effort and consistency to master and hence there is no need for preparatory postures.
Sukhasana Steps
- Sit on a mat with legs stretched
- Bend one of your legs and place it under the opposite thigh
- Similarly, bend the other leg and place it under the folded leg
- Sit erect and keep your head, neck, and trunk in a straight line
- Put your hands on thighs in Chin Mudra or Jnana Mudra
- Tilt your head and chin a little down towards the chest, without disturbing the straight line of head, neck, and trunk.
- Either close your eyes or fix them on the tip of the nose
- Fix your mind in between the eye-brows.
Follow up Asanas
During this Asana practice, blood flow to the legs is restricted. To restore the normal blood flow, one of the following postures should be performed.
Beginners Tips
Westerners may find this hard to sit Cross-legged as their hips are not as flexible as others in the eastern world. Those who find it hard to sit for a long time may use some cushion or blocks. Initially, they may lean against the wall for support. After getting little mastery over the pose, one may get rid of these supports.
Asana Siddhi
Asana Siddhi means mastery over the posture. For any posture, if a practitioner maintains the perfect posture for a continuous three hours duration of time, he has mastery over the pose.
Advanced Asana Considerations
After getting mastery over this pose, one may consider poses like Padmasana and Siddhasana.
Sukhasana Benefits
- It aids in meditation and Pranayama
- Mastering this posture makes the difficult postures like Padmasana and Siddhasana easier.
- It helps in activating the Muladhara Chakra or Base Chakra
- Sukhasana harmonizes the Central Nervous System and activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System
- It helps in reducing the Blood Pressure and Palpitation
- Sukhasana restricts the blood flow to the leg and thereby increases digestive power.
- It relaxes your brain and drives away the stress
- Easy Pose gives a good stretch to your legs
Conclusion
Though this posture is named Easy Pose, it is not easy for all. This posture looks simple it provides a lot of benefits.
This posture is for beginners. After getting mastery over advanced meditation postures like Lotus posture and Adept Pose, one may discard this posture.