Lotus position

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Demonstrating lotus position

Lotus position or Padmasana (

meditation pose from ancient India, in which each foot is placed on the opposite thigh. It is an ancient asana in yoga, predating hatha yoga, and is widely used for meditation in Hindu, Tantra, Jain, and Buddhist
traditions.

Variations include easy pose (Sukhasana), half lotus, bound lotus, and psychic union pose. Advanced variations of several other asanas including yoga headstand have the legs in lotus or half lotus. The pose can be uncomfortable for people not used to sitting on the floor, and attempts to force the legs into position can injure the knees.[2]

Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, and the Tirthankaras in Jainism have been depicted in the lotus position, especially in statues. The pose is emblematic both of Buddhist meditation
and of yoga, and as such has found a place in Western culture as a symbol of healthy living and well-being.

Etymology and history

The flower of the sacred lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, grows out of mud, thus symbolising enlightenment.[3]

The name Padmasana is from the Sanskrit पद्म Padma, "lotus" and आसन, Āsana, "posture" or "seat".[4][5] In Asian cultures,[6] 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.[7] In Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism, the pose is also called the "vajra position" (Skt. vajrāsana, Ch. 金剛座 jīngāngzuò).[8][9]

The pose is ancient and is described, along with other asanas (sitting postures), in the 8th century book Patanjalayogashastravivarana.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13]

Sukhasana is from Sanskrit सुख sukha, meaning "pleasure" or "ease".[14] The 19th century Sritattvanidhi describes and illustrates the pose.[15] 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.[16]

Position

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.[4] The pose requires "very open hips".[17] It can be modified using a support such as a cushion or blanket; by sitting on its forward edge, the pelvis is tilted forward.[18][19]

Variations

Sukhasana (

romanized: Sukhāsana), Easy Pose, has the legs simply crossed in front of the body.[20][21]

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.[22]

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.[23]

For psychic union pose, यओगमुद्रासन (Yogamudrasana), the practitioner bends forward in full lotus, bringing the forehead as close to the floor as possible.[24] The pose is both an asana and a mudra; easier variants begin from Ardha Padmasana.[25]

Variations of several other asanas such as

Ardha Matsyendrasana (half lord of the fishes pose) have one leg as in half lotus.[27]

  • Sukhasana, easy pose
    Sukhasana, easy pose
  • The sage Bharadvaja meditating in half lotus. 19th century
    The sage Bharadvaja meditating in half lotus. 19th century
  • Baddha Padmasana
    Baddha Padmasana
  • Yogamudrasana
    Yogamudrasana
  • Padma Sirsasana, lotus headstand
    Padma Sirsasana
    , lotus headstand

Effects

Lotus is one of the yoga poses that most commonly causes injury.

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).[29]

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.[30]

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.[31][32] Iyengar claimed that Padmasana encourages blood circulation in the abdomen and lumbar region, toning the spine and abdominal organs.[33]

In art and culture

Asian art

Further information: Lotus throne

In

Gautama Buddha, sometimes depict him seated in lotus position and enthroned on a lotus flower.[34][35][36]
In Hinduism, statues often depict gods, especially Shiva, meditating in Padmasana.[37] In Bali, a Padmasana is also a type of Hindu shrine, named for the posture.[38][39] In Jainism, seated Tirthankaras are represented in Lotus posture.[40]

  • Gautama Buddha
    Gautama Buddha
  • Shiva
    Shiva
  • Mahavira
    Mahavira
  • A Padmasana shrine, here of Pura Jagatnatha in Denpasar, Bali
    A Padmasana shrine, here of Pura Jagatnatha in Denpasar, Bali

Western culture

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."

tree pose) had been used by advertisers to sell "all manner of goods and services."[44] She noted that both "healthy living"[44] goods such as vitamins, fitness clubs, water filter and probiotic yogurt, and unrelated items such as cars, airlines, financial services "and even beer"[44] have made use of images of yoga to convey a message of well-being.[44] 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.[45]

See also

References

  1. ISBN 978-0-02-863970-3
    .
  2. ^
    PMID 24146758
    .
  3. ^ Baillie, Allan; Ostro, Suzanne (1999). "The Lotus". Tricycle, the Buddhist Review. 8 (3, Spring 1999). Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b Iyengar 1991, pp. 129–133.
  5. ISBN 978-1-4008-6684-7. Archived
    from the original on 6 September 2017.
  6. JSTOR 43483467
    .
  7. ^ Temple 2007, p. Chapter 1, The Symbolism of the Lotus Flower.
  8. ISBN 0-88139-951-5. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  9. ^ Rinpoche, Patrul; Padmakara Translation Group (trans.) (1998). Words of My Perfect Teacher: A Complete Translation of a Classic Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism (Revised ed.). AltaMira Press. p. 440.
  10. ^ Mallinson & Singleton 2017, p. 97.
  11. ISBN 978-0-520-05991-7
    . 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).
  12. ^ Mallinson & Singleton 2017, pp. 99–100.
  13. ^ Mallinson & Singleton 2017, p. 111.
  14. ISBN 978-81-222-0089-8
    .
  15. ISBN 81-7017-389-2
    .
  16. ISBN 978-81-208-3349-4
    .
  17. OCLC 216937520
    .
  18. ISBN 978-0863184208.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  19. ISBN 978-1-60497-718-9
    .
  20. ^ Costello, Nikki (25 March 2013). "Sukhasana Isn't All Easy". Yoga Journal. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  21. ^ Maharsi, Ramana (1962). The teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi in his own words. Rider. p. 134.
  22. ISBN 978-81-86336-14-4. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 7 August 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  23. ISBN 81-7017-389-2
    .
  24. ^ Saraswati 2004, pp. 182–183.
  25. OCLC 32442598
    .
  26. ^ Iyengar 1991, pp. 137–139, 142–143, 204–206, 230–237.
  27. ^ Iyengar 1991, pp. 98–99, 270–276.
  28. PMID 22869991
    .
  29. ^ Cole, Roger (5 February 2019) [2007]. "How to Protect the Knees in Lotus and Related Postures". Yoga Journal.
  30. ^ Iyengar 1991, p. 131.
  31. ^ Newcombe 2019, pp. 203–227, Chapter "Yoga as Therapy".
  32. ^ Jain 2015, pp. 82–83.
  33. ^ Iyengar 1991, pp. 131–132.
  34. ^ "Buddhas Crossed Legged Position - Lotus Position". Asian Art. Retrieved 11 April 2020. 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.
  35. ^ "Lotus-Enthroned Buddha Akshobhya, the Transcendent Buddha,8th–early 9th century". Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  36. ^ "Representation of: Buddha (Śākyamuni/Gotama/Shaka)". British Museum. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  37. ^ Dehejia, Vidya (February 2007). "Recognizing the Gods". Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  38. ISBN 0751368709
    .
  39. ISBN 978-1462900923
    .
  40. ISBN 978-0-8108-6558-7
    . 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.
  41. S2CID 192174202
    .
  42. ISBN 9781448139361
    .
  43. ISSN 0022-3840
    .
  44. ^ a b c d Lane, Mega (9 October 2003). "The tyranny of yoga". BBC.
  45. ISBN 978-0-7890-2300-1
    .

Sources

External links

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