सुखासन
Sukhasana — the Easy Seat
sukha = ease, comfort — the comfortable seat
The simple cross-legged seat every practice begins from — steady and sweet.
In the simplest words
Sit criss-cross on the floor, sit up tall like a king or queen on a throne, and rest your hands on your knees. Comfy and straight — that's the whole pose!
What it is
Patanjali's Yoga Sutra defines asana in two words: sthira-sukham — steady and comfortable. Sukhasana is that definition made visible: legs simply crossed, spine tall but unforced, hands resting on the knees. Nearly all japa, pranayama and meditation on this site can be practised in it. Sitting on a folded blanket so the knees drop below the hips transforms the pose — the back stops working and the breath opens.
Before you practise — health first
Knee or hip pain means raise the seat higher or sit on a chair — a chair-seat with a tall spine is a fully honourable meditation seat.
Getting into it
Sit on the front edge of a folded blanket or cushion; cross the shins loosely.
Let the knees fall toward the floor; each foot rests under the opposite knee.
Grow tall from the base of the spine to the crown; chin level.
Rest the hands on the knees, palms up or down, or in chin mudra (index and thumb touching).
Swap which shin is in front on alternate days.
The breath
The seat exists for the breath — let it become slow and silent here.
What it is kept for
Japa, pranayama and meditation; gently opening hips accustomed to chairs.