Padmasana is a sitting yoga practice which is derived from the Sanskrit words “Padma”, i.e., lotus flower, and “Asana”, meaning posture. During this asana, the person's body comes in the shape of a lotus. The lotus has a lot of religious importance in Indian culture. It is believed that sitting in Padmasana posture removes many physical and mental problems.

How to practice Padmasana

• Sit on a mat or rug and spread your legs.
• While breathing in, keep your waist and neck straight.
• Breathe in and bend your right leg, placing the heel on the left thigh in such a way that the heel comes near the navel.
• Similarly, lift the other leg and place it on the right thigh in such a way that both the heels meet near the navel.
• Note that the knees of both feet should be V from the ground.
• During this, keep your elbows straight.
• Now sit in this posture for some time or as per your capacity.
• Continue the process of inhaling and exhaling normally in this posture.

Benefits of doing Padmasana

• By doing this asana, the flexibility of the knees and hips increases.
• This asana provides strength by stretching the knees and ankles.
• This asana provides peace to the mind.
• It heals the digestive system.
• With its continuous practice, memory power and the sense of thought increase.
• This asana stimulates the stomach and bladder.
• It helps remove physical fatigue and gets you better sleep.
• This asana helps in relieving the discomfort during menstruation and sciatica.
• Regularly sitting in this posture during pregnancy makes childbirth easier and reduces labor pain.
• According to mythology, all kinds of diseases are cured by regularly practicing Padmasana. At the same time, it also awakens the Kundalini.

Take these precautions while doing Padmasana

• Do Padmasana for the first time only under the supervision of a yoga expert.
• People suffering from knee or ankle pain should not do it.
• Pregnant women should practice Padmasana only under the supervision of a yoga expert.