Series – Asana 1.2 – awakening to physical consciousness - Siddhasana
Acharya Girish Jha, MS, BS, DIY, BCPC
Blog: http://www.girishjha.net
Importance of name:
The “siddha” means perfect or perfection. Here perfection
refers to a state of individual consciousness that is merged in the highest
state of consciousness also known as ultimate reality. The practice of
Siddhasana brings self-perfection i.e. self-realization.
Scriptural references:
There is no asana like the Siddhasana and no Kumbhaka
(generally means retention of breath in Pranayama practice) like the Kevala.
There is no Mudra( specific position of body accompanied by breathing practices
or focus or other activities in Hatha Yoga Tradition) like the Khechari (one of the very important
practices of Mudra in Hatha Yoga) and no laya (absorption) like the Nada
(Anahata Nada). (Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1. 45)
Technique:
Pre-position
Samsthiti (Sit on the carpet on the floor and stretch
both legs straight).
Procedure
Bend right leg
from the knee; place the heel pressing the perineum and toes touching the inner
thighs of the left leg.
Bend the left leg from the knee, place the heel over the
heel of the right leg and place the toes in between thighs and calf of the
right leg.
Check that both heels are placed one over the other and
toes are inside the thighs and calves. Spine and head straight.
Keep the eyes in Sama Dristi (the eyes are in normal
looking position) or Netra Bandha Dristi (eyes are closed normally and gently)
Position
The comfortable sitting posture, feeling of calmness,
poise , eyes closed gently and hands are placed in Jnana Mudra ( generally
hands mudra are Tantra Mudras) on the
knees and awareness within is the best way to perform the Siddhasana.
Releasing
Release both legs slowly and bring them straight in
Samasthiti. Move your toes forward and backward for relaxing them. Practice the
asana while chanting the position of legs.
Duration
The practice should be started initially with 10-15
seconds and the duration may be increased slowly maximum unto 3 minutes.
Duration/Repetitions:
The length of time to sit in the Siddhasana depends on
purpose for practice and until one
experiences discomfort in the legs. When used as a meditation posture you hold
it for the duration of the meditation.
Salient features:
The most important amongst 8.4 million asana
Siddhasana is considered as the most important of all 8.4
million postures that Hatha Yoga explains. Hatha Yoga Pradipika (1. 41) says,
“Out of the 84 asana Siddhasana should always be practiced, because it cleanses
the impurities of 72,000 nadirs (energy pathways).”
Many names of Siddhasana
Hatha Yoga Pradipika (1.39) says that Siddhasana,
Vajrasana and Mukta asana or Gupta asana are the same.
Meditative asana
Siddhasana is one of the best meditative postures, easy
to perform, comfortable and requires hardly sitting space.
Easy to practice and highly beneficial
The Siddhasana can be easily practiced and is a
meditative posture par excellence. Regular practice of Siddhasana, calms down
the agitated the mind, manages stress, and helps in bringing about harmony of
body, mind, and emotion.
Benefits:
Success in one Siddhasana alone becoming firmly
established, one gets Unmani at once, and the three bonds (Bandhas) are
accomplished of themselves. (Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1. 44)
Other postures are of no use, when success has been
achieved in Siddhasana, and Prana Vayu becomes calm and restrained by Kevala
Kumbhaka. (Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1. 43)
Just as sparing food is among Yamas, and Ahimsa among the
Niyamas, so is Siddhasana called by adepts the chief of all the asanas. (Hatha
Yoga Pradipika 1. 40)
The practice improves concentration, memory, relaxes the
mind and manages stress, anxiety and tension.
By contemplating on oneself, by eating sparingly, and by
practicing Siddhasana for 12 years, the Yogi obtains success.(Hatha Yoga
Pradipika(I.37)
Other postures are of no use, when success has been
achieved in Siddhasana, and Prana Vayu becomes calm and restrained by Kevala
Kumbhaka. .(Hatha Yoga Pradipika(I.43)
Success in one Siddhasana alone becoming firmly
established, one gets Unmani at once, and the three bonds (Bandhas) are accomplished
of themselves. .(Hatha Yoga Pradipika(I.44)
Precautions:
Everyone irrespective of any problem can practice the
asana and at any age, however, duration should be increased gradually and
slowly depending upon the level of tolerance of the practitioner.
The meditative asana should be practiced with awareness
and withdrawing the mind within, for getting
better result.
Siddhasana should be practiced with mind concentrated at
the eyebrow center with eyes closed gently.
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