Practices · Posture

Asana

Seats and shapes held until the body stops asking for attention. In the classical texts asana is a small, practical set — steadiness first, range later.

• Svastikasana · GS 2.13

  Auspicious Pose

  A simple, sustainable cross-legged seat — the entry point to every longer practice.

• Dhanurasana · GS 2.18

  Bow Pose

  Lying prone, the ankles held and the body drawn back like a strung bow.

• Kukkutasana · GS 2.31

  Cockerel Pose

  An arm balance from lotus, the hands threaded between calf and thigh, the whole body lifted.

• Shavasana · GS 2.19

  Corpse Pose

  Lying still on the back like a corpse — the posture that removes fatigue and quiets the mind.

• Gomukhasana · GS 2.16

  Cow Face Pose

  A stacked-knee seat with the arms clasped behind the back, opening hips and shoulders at once.

• Bhadrasana · GS 2.9-10

  Gracious Pose

  A grounded seat with the soles of the feet joined and the knees open to the floor.

• Virasana · GS 2.17

  Hero Pose

  A kneeling seat with the hips between the heels — upright, quiet and easy on the spine.

• Simhasana · GS 2.14-15

  Lion Pose

  A kneeling seat with the tongue extended and the gaze upward — the lion''s posture.

• Padmasana · HYP 1.44

  Lotus Pose

  The classical meditation seat, both feet drawn onto the opposite thighs.

• Mayurasana · HYP 1.30

  Peacock Pose

  An arm balance with the body held horizontal on the forearms, classically said to digest anything.

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  Paschimottanasana · HYP 1.29

  Seated Forward Fold

  A long seated fold over straight legs, said to send the breath upward along the back of the body.

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  Sarvangasana · HYP 3.79

  Shoulder Stand

  The queen of the inverted postures: the whole body rests on the shoulders, drawing the flow of energy upward and inward.

• Matsyendrasana · HYP 1.26

  Spinal Twist

  A seated twist named for the sage Matsyendra, said to stoke the digestive fire and steady the breath.

• Siddhasana · HYP 1.35

  The Accomplished Pose

  A cross-legged seat praised in the Pradipika as the steadiest of all seats for breath and meditation.

• Kurmasana · GS 2.22

  Tortoise Pose

  A deep seated fold with the arms threaded under the knees — the body withdrawn like a tortoise.

Educational content, not medical advice. Check with a doctor before starting new practices if you have a health condition or are pregnant.