Siddhasana

This posture is an asana used for meditation and other yogic kriyas . In Sanskrit ‘Siddha’ means ‘accomplished’ or an ‘adept’ and ‘asana’ means a ‘pose’. Siddhasana is mentioned in the Hatha Yoga text Hatha Yoga Pradeepika as one of the four most powerful sitting poses suited for meditation.

For practitioners of meditation, the importance of Siddhasana is only second to Padmasana or the lotus pose. In fact, some claim Siddhasana to be the best of all asanas for meditation. In Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, it is said that a yoga practitioner should always practice Siddhasana, among the 84 asanas. The text says that practice of Siddhasana purifies all the 72,000 nadis or energy channels in the body, through which the prana flows. It also says that by contemplating on one’s Self, eating moderately and practicing Siddhasana for 12 years, one can attain success in yoga.

This asana can be practiced by anyone, except those suffering from sciatica or sacral infections.