In India, Sukhasana is not only a common manner of sitting
on the floor with legs crossed, but it is also a meditative posture. Gentle
stretching exercises for the lower limbs, also help one prepare for the posture.
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| Sukhasana |
Begin by sitting
legs crossed at the ankle. Place right heel below the left thigh and vice
versa.
Place palms
on the knees or thighs, keeping elbows relaxed. Keep the spine erect, with the chin
parallel to the ground. Pay attention to the flow of your breath.
“The idea is
not to experience meditation, but rather to sit correctly even for a short
period allowing our mind to be quiet, inward” believes Dr. Jayadeva[1].
A tight
lower back and hamstrings can make one slouch, struggling to sit straight, as
one is seated in Sukhasana, and soon it can begin to feel like dukhasana - full of pain. At
such times, rolling a turkish towel tightly or using a small cushion, and
placing it at the edge of the butt helps sit erect.
“The most
vital things in life are the simplest… Sukhasana may be the simplest meditative
posture. But sitting in this posture and understanding oneself is one of the
greatest things a human being can do” Pradip Kumar[2].
[1] Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra: 21 day better
living course
[2] A.B.Pradip Kumar: Sukhasana –
Greatness in Simplicity – published in Yoga and Total Health (August 1991)
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