Swastikasana

The Swastikasana or Auspicious Pose is a cross-legged sitting asana which resembles a swastika, in which the feet are placed between the thighs and calf muscles. And hands are placed in jnana or chin mudra. This is one of the meditative posture done when the practitioner has difficulty with Siddhasana and Padmasana.

The name comes from the Sanskrit words su, meaning “good”; asti, meaning “to be” or “existence”; ka, meaning “to make”.

The symbol Swastika represents fertility, good fortune, happiness, creativity, and auspicious, and hence induces the same in the body.

Swastikasana is believed to open the flow of prana energy between the muladhara (root) chakra and the ajna (third eye) chakra.

Procedure

1. Come to sitting position, i.e. Dandasana.
2. Bend one leg and place the foot against the inside of the opposite thigh.
3. Then, bend the other leg similarly and place the foot inside the opposite thigh and calf muscle.
4. Grab the toes of the first leg you bent and pull them into the space between the opposite thigh and calf muscle.
5. The knees should firmly touch the ground.
6. The spine should remail erect, and the hands rest on the knees in jnana or chin mudra.
7. Continue normal breathing, keep your eyes closed, and try to remain in the final position for at least 10 - 15 minutes.

Benefits

1. The sciatic nerve is gently massaged which influences the lumbar region
2. Rejuvenates the nervous system
3. Relief from varicose veins and aching leg muscles
4. Increases concentration and calms the mind

Contra-indication

If suffering from sciatica or those with knee pain or injury should skip this asana.

Special Notes

This is one of the Asanas prescribed in Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The pose may be practiced while sitting on the edge of a folded blanket to ease strain on the hips.

Related Asanas

• Padmasana
• Siddhasana
• Vajrasana

References

• Definition, Etymology, Procedure and Benefits
• Hatha Yoga Pradipika (book) published by YPT, Munger.
• Step by step visual methods