Sukhasana ("easy pose; perfect pose"), is a yoga asana (posture) that basically consists of sitting in the standard cross-legged position. While opening the hips and lengthening the spine, its relative ease on the knees makes this posture preferable to siddhasana and padmasana for many people with physical difficulties. Nevertheless, many schools don't consider it to be as effective for prolonged meditation sessions, although the 20th century Jnana Yoga guru Ramana Maharshi advocated it as suitable for attaining Enlightenment. Etymology Sukhasana, sanskrit for Easy Pose is a common pose of asana, in yoga, buddhism and hinduism. sanscrit translation sukha easy, pleasurable asana pose, posture Take sitting position stretching both the legs together in front, hands by the side, palms resting on the ground. Fingers should remain together pointing forward. Fold the legs left and right slowly at the knees and join both the soles with each other. Hold the legs at ankle by the hands. Bring the legs slowly towards yourself till they reach under the perineum. The knees should remain on the ground, body erect and gaze in front. While returning back to the original position loosen the legs and come back to the first position. While practicing, a stretch is felt under the thighs, therefore practice it carefully This posture should be healthy for the lumbar region.

Sukhasana ("easy pose; perfect pose"), is a yoga asana (posture) that basically consists of sitting in the standard cross-legged position. While opening the hips and lengthening the spine, its relative ease on the knees makes this posture preferable to siddhasana and padmasana for many people with physical difficulties. Nevertheless, many schools don't consider it to be as effective for prolonged meditation sessions, although the 20th century Jnana Yoga guru Ramana Maharshi advocated it as suitable for attaining Enlightenment.

Etymology Sukhasana, sanskrit for Easy Pose is a common pose of asana, in yoga, buddhism and hinduism.

sanscrit translation sukha easy, pleasurable asana pose, posture

Take sitting position stretching both the legs together in front, hands by the side, palms resting on the ground. Fingers should remain together pointing forward. Fold the legs left and right slowly at the knees and join both the soles with each other. Hold the legs at ankle by the hands. Bring the legs slowly towards yourself till they reach under the perineum. The knees should remain on the ground, body erect and gaze in front. While returning back to the original position loosen the legs and come back to the first position. While practicing, a stretch is felt under the thighs, therefore practice it carefully This posture should be healthy for the lumbar region.

Variety of Yoga Asanas

Variety of Yoga AsanasAn important publication of a rather large number of asanas, has been presented in 1959 by Swami Vishnu-devananda. In his book The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga his published 66 136 variations of asanas, which found their basis at 66 different asanas. In his book Vishnu-devananda enlarges on other subjects relating to hatha yoga, like pranayama and the filosofy and aim of yoga. Sri Dharma Mittra, composer of the Master Yoga Chart of 908 Postures, states that there are an infinite number of asanas. In 1975, as an offering of devotion to his guru, Swami Kailashananda Maharaj, Dharma set out to catalogue the vast number of asanas. All together he compiled 1300 variations, that he derived from gurus, yogis, and ancient and contemporary texts. Although it will not be possible in any way to establish an exact set of postures, this work is considered a leading collection by students and yogis alike.

Some asanas are practiced most commonly and others rarely, like Downward Facing Tree (hand stand). Here follows just a brief selection:

Sukhasana Easy Pose Uttanasana Standing Forward Bend Paschimottanasana Intense stretch of the west Adho Mukha Svanasana Downward Facing Dog Bhujangasana Cobra Balasana Child's Pose Dhanurasana Bow Halasana Plow Urdhva Dhanurasana Upward Bow Sarvangasana Shoulder Stand Sirsasana Head Stand Savasana Corpse Pose

Eight Limbs of Yoga

In the Yoga sutras, Patanjali describes asana as the third of the 8 limbs of classical yoga (raja yoga).

These eight limbs are: The yamas (restrictions) Niyamas (observances) Asanas (postures) Pranayama (breath work) Pratyahara (sense withdrawal or non-attachment) Dharana (concentration) Dhyana (meditation) Samadhi (realization of the true self and/or unity with god).  Asanas are the physical movements in a yoga practice. In combination with pranayama or breathing techniques, it constitutes hatha yoga. In the Yoga sutras, Patanjali describes "asana" simply as sitting meditation, suggesting meditation to be the path of samadhi, or self-realization.

Surya Namaskara

Surya Namaskara 

("Salute to the Sun"), is a form of worshiping Surya, the Hindu solar diety by concentrating on the Sun, for self vitalization. Surya namaskara gives equal weightage to both exercise and posture.

The physical base of the practice links together twelve asanas in a dynamically performed series. A full round of Surya namaskara is considered to be two sets of the twelve poses with a change in the second set to moving the opposite leg first through the series. Generally Surya namaskara is performed before performing "asanas".

Hasta Uttanasana Raised Hands Pose Sun Salutation no. 2, 11	Adho Mukha Svanasana Downward Facing Dog Sun Salutation no. 5, 8	Bhujangasana Cobra Pose Sun Salutation no. 7

Practicing Yoga

Practicing Yoga

The key to a successful yoga practice is to make time for it.
In the Yoga sutras, Patanjali suggests that the only requirement for practicing asanas is to be "steady and comfortable". The body should be held firm yet relaxed, and the practitioner should not experience discomfort of any kind. Tightness or tension observed within the body should be consciously relaxed.

According to yoga practitioners, when bodily control is mastered, they are free from what they call the "pairs of opposites", such as heat and cold, hunger and thirst, joy and grief. This non-dualistic perspective comes from the Sankya school of the Himalayan Masters.

Traditional Practices of Yoga

Traditional Practices of Yoga

1. A glass of fresh water should be taken before performing asanas.
   
2. The stomach should be relatively empty.
   
3. Force or pressure should not be used while performing asanas.
   
4. Lower the head and other parts of the body slowly; in particular, raised heels should be lowered slowly.
   
5. The breathing should be controlled. The benefits of asanas increase if the specific pranayama to the yoga type is performed.
   
6. If the body is stressed, perform Corpse Pose or Child Pose
   
7. Some claim that asanas, especially inverted poses, are to be avoided during menstruation. Others deny this view.
   
8. Nowadays, asanas are generally not performed on floor, but on Yoga mats instead.

Pranayama Yoga

Pranayama Yoga

Pranayama is the breath control in yoga and is an integral part when performing the asanas.

Patanjali discusses his specific approach to pranayama in verses 2.49 through 2.51, and devotes verses 2.52 and 2.53 to explaining the benefits of the practice. Patanjali refers to pranayama as the control of life force that comes as a result of practicing the various breathing techniques, rather than the numerous breathing exercises themselves.