Sukhasana is a seated posture that is often used in yoga and during meditation. It is also called the easy pose or the pose of happiness. Although it is considered a basic yoga posture, it is often difficult for beginners or for those with weak abdominal or back muscles. Sitting calmly in sukhasana is thought to provide many health benefits, such as increasing flexibility, strengthening core muscles, and increasing energy flow. There are several other poses that can be completed while sitting in sukhasana as well, making it one of the building blocks of yoga. People with knee, hip, back, or groin injuries should use care when performing this posture.
When performing sukhasana, it may be most comfortable to sit on a yoga mat or on the edge of a blanket. It is important that both sit bones are planted evenly and firmly on the mat or blanket as well. The pose starts with the legs stretched out in front of the body. Then, the legs are crossed and the right foot is placed under the left knee and the left foot is placed under the right knee. Generally, it is thought to be similar to the cross-legged position that many young children sit in on a daily basis.
It is important to engage the back and stomach muscles when sitting in sukhasana. Specifically, the back should be straight, the chest should be open, and the shoulders should be drawn back. In addition, the hands can rest palms down or palms up, with the fingers lightly touching on each hand.
There are many benefits to performing sukhasana. For example, it loosens the groin and the hip muscles and joints. In addition, it elongates the spine and gives strength to the core muscles of the body, specifically the back and abdominal muscles. Some people believe that it promotes the flow of energy through the body and provides balance between the mind and the body. This balance is thought to reduce stress and quiet the mind.
There are several other poses that may be entered into from sukhasana. For example, the yogi may bend her torso toward the ground and enter a seated forward bend. In addition, the practitioner may turn her torso toward the right or left, while keeping her hips centered and enter into a spinal twist.
As with any activity, there are certain people who should use caution when sitting in sukhasana. Specifically, people with knee pain should not force their knees into the position. If those individuals are able to hold the pose, they should only do so for short periods of time to avoid further knee strain. In addition, people with hip or groin strain should use care and watch for signs of further strain in the body.
