Yoga Posture Guide - The Accomplished or Adept Pose (Siddha-asana)
The Accomplished or Adept Pose (Siddha-asana) Translation
The Sanskrit word siddha means accomplished or adept, one who has attained the highest. The name implies the attainment of a perfectly stilled mind and the experience of peace that results from meditation. The siddha-asana is a recommended pose for meditation.Pronunciation: sid-dhah-sa-na
Difficulty: (2)
Siddhasana or the accomplished pose is an asana used for meditation and other yogic practices. In Sanskrit ‘Siddha’ means ‘accomplished’ or an ‘adept’ and ‘asana’ means a ‘pose’. Siddhasana is mentioned in the Hatha Yoga textHatha Yoga Pradeepika as one of the four most powerful sitting poses suited for meditation.
The Accomplished or Adept Pose (Siddha-asana) is complicated to describe but is actually one of the simpler sitting postures. It requires less flexibility of the legs than the padma-asana yet it facilitates relaxation, concentration and ultimately, meditation.
Siddha-asana helps to establish an equilibrium throughout the body/mind. It will also help stretch the legs and pelvic area to the point where the padma-asana can be held effortlessly. Either posture, by creating a firm foundation with the legs locked in a crossed position and the spine held straight and motionless, awakens the attention and helps cultivate concentration. When concentration is highly focused and undistracted, meditation follows.
Benefits of the Accomplished or Adept Pose (Siddha-asana)
- Siddhasana is one of the main poses used for meditation. One can maintain this position for a long duration. Those who have difficulty practicing Padmasana can easily practice Siddhasana for extended periods. This asana holds the spinal column straight and steady.
- In Siddhasana, the heel is kept pressed against the Mooladharachakra. This ensures that the energy currents flow upwards towards the spine.
- The position of the heels also stimulates the lower two chakrasMooladhara and Swadhistana. The sexual energy is channelized upwards and converted into subtle energy called ‘ojas’.
- It also gives the practitioner control over his sex urge and the sexual functions.
- In Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, it is said that Siddhasana stabilizes the nervous system by calming down the pranic energy.
The Accomplished or Adept Pose (Siddha-asana) Instructions
| The Accomplished or Adept Pose (Siddha-asana) |
- Begin in a seated posture. Bend the left knee and grasp the left foot with both hands and place the heel against the perineum and the sole of the foot against the inside of the right thigh.
- Exhale and reach down and loop the forefinger of the right hand around the big toe of the right foot and grasp the left foot with the left hand.
- Bend the right knee, grasp the right foot with both hands and place the outside edge of the right foot where the calf and thigh of the left leg meet, right ankle over left ankle. The heel of the right foot should line up approximately with the navel and be as close to the pubic area as possible.
- With palms up, place the hands on the knees, form a circle with the thumb and forefinger and extend the remaining fingers straight ahead.
NOTE: For women performing in bare feet, make sure the feet are thoroughly clean before placing the lower heel in proper placement, which is at the entrance of the vagina.
Duration/Repetitions: Sit in the siddha-asana for a minimum of 1 minute and extended the time up to ten minutes or more.
