Mastering Siddhasana Posture: Meaning, Steps, Benefits
Introduction
Siddhasana, also called the “Perfect Pose,” is one of the most revered yoga postures, especially for meditation. It is one of the oldest yoga poses, similar to Padmasana (the Lotus Pose).
In the past, people thought that this pose was only for yogis who gave up worldly life, so it wasn’t commonly practiced by householders. Because of this, it is not as popular as some other yoga poses today.
However, it is easier to learn than Lotus Pose and can be a great alternative. Many ancient yoga books say it’s one of the best poses for meditation and focusing the mind.
This article explains the meaning of Siddhasana Position, how to do it step by step, and the benefits it offers.
Siddhasana Information
| Pose Name | Siddhasana |
| Sanskrit Name | सिद्धासन |
| IAST | siddhāsana |
| English Name | Adept Pose Accomplished Pose Perfect Pose |
| Origin | Ancient Indian |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Type | Seated Posture |
Siddhasana Meaning
Siddha means a yogi who is a master in the yogic path. In other words, Siddha is an Adept Yogi.
However, a modern yogi who has merely mastered yoga postures cannot be considered a Siddha. A Siddha is not defined by physical skill alone but by attaining the ultimate goal of yoga. Specifically, a Siddha is a realized yogi or a Jivan Mukta, someone who has achieved liberation while still living.
We call this posture in English Perfect Pose, Adept Pose, or Accomplished Pose.
Besides, regular practice of this posture can lead to several Siddhis, or psychic powers, in the yogi. For this reason, this pose is sometimes referred to as the Psychic Power Pose
Siddhasana Procedure
The practice routine includes precautions, preparatory postures, step-by-step procedures, and follow-up postures.
Siddhasana Safety and Precautions
Persons having knee ailments or sacral ailments should avoid this pose. For instance, one who has a degenerated disc or sciatica pain should take due care before attempting this one.
While perfecting this posture, it is important not to overdo it to prevent injury. Approach the posture gently and with full awareness. If you feel any discomfort in your knees or the sacral area of your spine, stop at once and refrain from continuing. With patience and regular, mindful practice, you can slowly get perfection in this pose over time.
Preparatory Poses
The following poses are preparatory poses for Adept Pose.
How to Master Siddhasana?
The first step in mastering Siddhasana is to sit in the Easy Pose. This will make you comfortable in a cross-legged sitting position which is the basis for advanced postures like Adept Pose and Lotus Pose. Next, Butterfly stroke or Titali Asana, a dynamic yoga pose, is a hip opener that helps perform adept poses for a longer duration of time. To summarize, Easy Pose and Titali Asana prepare you to master Siddhasana.
Siddhasana Steps
Step 1
Sit with legs stretched out. Bend the right leg and place the heel under the perineum. Then, the perineum should be seated on top of the right heel. Further, place the right sole flat against the inner left thigh.
Step 2
Bend the left leg and place the left ankle over the right one. Now place the left heel above the genitals so that the genitals lie in between the two heels.
Step 3
Place the right toe in between the left calf and thigh and the left toe in between the right calf and thigh. Adjust the knees suitably. Ensure the knees touch the floor.
Step 4
Place the hands on the knees in Chin Mudra or Jnana Mudra. Close your eyes. Breathe slowly.
Practice Note
If you feel discomfort placing the ankles on one another, place a piece of cloth in between them.
One may place either of the heels under the perineum.
Duration
Initially, a longer duration is not possible. For getting psychic powers one should extend the duration for a period of at least three hours.
Variation
Hatha Yoga Pradipika gives two versions of Adept Pose. The first version is mentioned above. In the second version, both the heels are placed one on another above the genitalia instead of placing the genitals in between them.
Siddha Yoni Asana
Can Women Do Siddhasana?
Yes, women can practice it. However, in the complete version, women should modify Step 2. Instead of placing the left heel against the perineum, the left heel should be placed against or inside the labia majora of the female genital area. This version gets the name: Siddha Yoni Asana. This modification ensures comfort and proper alignment while maintaining the benefits of the
Ardha Siddhasana
Similar to Ardha Padmasana, there is a variation called Ardha Siddhasana. In this variation, one heel is placed under the genitals and another heel is placed on the floor. It is comparatively easy to perform. So, a beginner may start this practice first. After some days of practice, he may attempt the complete version. While practicing the half version, he should change the legs and practice it for an equal duration.
Advanced Pose Variation
Like Yogamudrasana, the forehead is placed on the floor after sitting in the Adept Posture. This advanced variation is called Padayoniyasana.
Siddhasana and Padmasana
Both Siddhasana (Adept Pose) and Padmasana (Lotus Pose) are seated yoga postures, and they are among the most ancient yoga poses, primarily used for meditation. Ancient yogis from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism practiced either of these two poses for deep meditation.
The main difference between Siddhasana and Padmasana lies in their difficulty level. The Adept Pose is generally easier to perform compared to the more challenging Lotus Pose.
Sannyasins and advanced yogis often prefer Adept Pose for meditation, while householders may opt for other seated poses for meditation or breath control exercises.
Though both poses can lead to the development of Siddhis (psychic powers), yogis tend to favor Adept Pose for its accessibility and effectiveness.
In terms of physical benefits, both poses serve as excellent hip openers. Preparatory poses like Butterfly Stroke and Easy Pose are great for preparing the body to master these seated postures.
Siddhasana Vs Sukhasana (Easy Pose)
Both Easy Pose and Adept Pose are seated yoga postures, but they differ in difficulty. The Easy Pose is much simpler and suitable for beginners. As the names suggest, the Easy Pose is easier to perform, making it ideal for those new to yoga.
However, the Adept Pose offers more benefits, especially for those looking to deepen their yoga and meditation practice. Yogis who aim to reach higher levels of spiritual growth and concentration often prefer the Adept Pose due to its greater effectiveness.
In essence, the Easy Pose serves as a preparatory posture to help the body and mind get ready for the more advanced Adept Pose.
What Muscles Do Siddhasana Work?
Siddhasana mainly targets the following muscles.
- Hip flexors and external rotators: This Pose involves flexing and externally rotating the hips, which engages muscles such as the piriformis, tensor fasciae latae, and the gluteus medius.
- Quadriceps: The quadriceps muscles at the front of the thigh are engaged to maintain the position of the legs.
- Adductors: The inner thigh muscles, or adductors, are activated to keep the knees together in the posture.
- Pelvic floor muscles: The pose can also engage the muscles of the pelvic floor, which are the key to stability and support in the pelvic region.
- Core muscles: The core muscles, including the abdominals and obliques, are engaged to help maintain an upright posture and support the spine.
- Spinal muscles: The muscles along the spine, including the erector spinae, are activated to help support the back and maintain proper alignment.
Siddhasana Benefits
The ten benefits of Siddhasana are as follows.
1. Siddhasana is the Ideal Choice for Breath Control Practices and Meditation
It is an ideal selection for breath control and meditation practices. This seated pose aids a naturally elongated spine, promoting optimal airflow and helping deep, rhythmic breathing. With its stress on hip flexion and external rotation, it grants stability and comfort, enabling performers to sustain meditation sessions with ease.
Besides, it gives a serene mental state, conducive to self-inquiry and mindfulness. As the body settles into this pose, the mind follows suit, attaining a peaceful state crucial for a great meditative experience and mastery over breath control practices.
2. Siddhasana Helps in the Practice of Celibacy
It helps maintain celibacy. Also, the Perfect Pose promotes self-control and balance. By sitting in this pose, you learn discipline and self-awareness. It calms the mind and reduces urges. It builds up mental clarity and spiritual growth.
Regular practice aids channel sexual energy. It aids self-study and the knowledge of desires. With time, it becomes a tool for celibacy and inner peace.
3. Siddhasana Activates the Base and Sacral Chakras
This pose activates the Base and Sacral Chakras. Also, It stimulates energy flow in the lower spine. The Base Chakra denotes stability and grounding. When activated, it gives a sense of security.
The Sacral Chakra governs emotions and creativity. Activation brings about emotional balance and enhances creative expression. Together, these chakras promote a strong basis and healthy emotional life.
This Pose, with its seated position and focus on the lower body, is notably effective in awakening these energy centers. Regular practice helps maintain their balance and vitality, contributing to overall well-being.
4. Siddhasana Opens Hip Joints and Improves Flexibility of the Lower Spine
It opens hip joints and improves the pliancy of the lower spine. The pose involves crossing legs and sitting upright. This gentle stretch helps release tension in the hips. With regular practice, it boosts hip mobility and range of motion.
On top of that, it promotes a healthy curvature in the lower spine. This improves flexibility and relieves stiffness. As a result, performers feel improved posture and reduced discomfort. The pose’s benefits go beyond physical pliancy, giving a sense of ease and relaxation.
It’s an accessible posture suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
5. Siddhasana Gives Psychic Powers
This pose helps develop psychic powers like clairvoyance, clairaudience, remote healing, etc. Sitting in this pose, you focus your mind and energy. It enhances your inner awareness and intuition. With regular practice, you become more attuned to subtle energies. This can lead to heightened senses and intuitive abilities.
Clairvoyance enables seeing beyond the physical realm. Clairaudience allows hearing beyond ordinary sounds. Remote healing involves sending healing energy over distances.
This pose supports the development of these powers by creating conducive conditions. It’s a simple yet powerful yoga pose for exploring your psychic potential.
6. Siddhasana Provides Serenity and Relaxation
It calms down the nervous system and brain activities. The body feels serene. This makes it perfect for meditation. Sitting in this pose, you relax deeply. It soothes the mind and body. With regular practice, stress decreases. Breathing becomes steady and peaceful.
7. Siddhasana Improves Digestion
It aids proper alignment of the spine and gentle compression of the abdominal area. This can help stimulate digestion and remove digestive issues such as bloating and indigestion.
8. Siddhasana Enhance Focus
The firm and easy pose promotes focus and concentration by minimizing physical distractions. As the body relaxes, the mind becomes clearer, making it easier to focus on tasks or meditation practices.
9. Relief from Sciatica
It helps alleviate discomfort associated with sciatica by stretching and releasing tension in the hips and lower back. Regular practice can provide relief from sciatic nerve pain and improve overall mobility in the lower body.
10. Balanced Energy Flow
This pose aids the smooth flow of energy throughout the body by activating the subtle energy nerves, or nadis, notably those related to the lower chakras. A balanced flow of energy boosts overall vitality and well-being, promoting a sense of harmony within oneself.
Final Words
Siddhasana is a great yoga pose with a lot of benefits. It helps calm the mind and body, making it great for meditation. Also, it improves pliancy, digestion, and focus. Likewise, It can relieve sciatica and promote balanced energy flow. Regular practice brings peace and harmony to your life. So, give it a try and feel the positive changes it brings.
