Siddhasana or Attained Pose is a sitting posture for meditation. It’s not only good for the mind, but also good for posture and more. Know all its advantages.
Sitting yoga poses may look simple, but they have many benefits for your health. They are especially good for beginners! One such yoga pose that can be a great addition to any fitness program is Siddhasana or Reached Pose. This is a simple yoga asana that can be performed by people of all fitness levels and age groups. This cross-legged sitting position is commonly used during meditation. It does not involve backbends or balancing on one leg. But this yoga pose can have benefits, including improved mental health and improved posture. Know the benefits of Siddhasana and how to perform this yoga asana.
What is Siddhasana or Attained Pose?
This seated yoga pose, also known as the accomplished pose, is beginner-friendly. Siddhasana is a Sanskrit word derived from Siddha meaning perfect or accomplished and asana meaning posture. “This posture is specifically meant for meditation and is done with the legs folded,” says yoga expert Yogesh Chavan. This is a hatha yoga pose, which is a practical form of the ancient Indian yoga discipline that prepares the body and mind for meditation.
What are the benefits of Siddhasana or Reaching Pose?
Here are some benefits of this yoga asana:
1. Reduces stress
Chronic stress can lead to many health problems, such as anxiety and depression. “Sitting in a meditative posture like Siddhasana and practicing deep breathing can provide relief from the daily stresses of life,” says the expert. According to research published in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine in 2018, regular hatha yoga practice can reduce stress in women.
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2. Improves posture and reduces back pain
Slouching or slouching can lead to neck and back pain. These can be avoided with this yoga posture as it requires sitting in a firm and straight position. Doing this pose regularly can strengthen your spine and improve your posture. Yoga can also relieve neck and lower back pain, according to the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
3. Improves concentration
If you’re easily distracted, go into Reach Pose. You can improve your concentration by doing this yoga pose. “It can help you focus your mind on any task at hand. This can lead to making the right decisions and successfully completing the task,” says Chavan.
4. Can improve your immunity
Our body has an immune system that needs to be strong to fight infections or other health problems. “But if your physiological systems, such as the respiratory system, the digestive system, the circulatory system and the reproductive system, are not functioning at an optimal level, your immunity can decline,” says the expert. This asana can improve your immunity and keep you healthy. In a 2022 study published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, researchers found that yoga and meditation can improve respiratory health and immunity.
5. Can improve flexibility
Want to move around with ease? Then your legs should be strong, which is impossible without exercise. “If you don’t exercise, they can become stiff, which can lead to a lack of circulation and cause pain. This asana helps reduce stiffness by increasing flexibility in the thighs, groin and inner thighs,” says the expert.
How to perform siddhasana or attained pose?
1. Sit on the floor, preferably on a yoga mat to provide cushioning from the hard ground.
2. Sit with your legs extended forward.
3. Fold the right leg and bring it to the body in such a way that the heel is below the genitals. It should be as if you are almost sitting on your right heel, but not completely.
4. Similarly, fold the left leg and place its heel exactly above the right.
5. Knees should touch the floor with a straight spine.
“Beginners can do this asana, but if you lack flexibility, it may be difficult to get the last pose right,” says the expert. But with consistent practice along with the right warm-up exercises, you will be able to achieve this over time.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Don’t force yourself to do the last pose on the first try. This asana looks simple, but it can be difficult to achieve the correct final posture.
- Do not sit for very long as it can cause pain in parts of the body.
- Be sure to switch legs or change the leg you’re crossing over each time you do this pose, or one side will feel more flexible than the other.
- Maintain an upright posture while performing this yoga pose.
Who Should Avoid Siddhasana or Reaching Pose?
People having the following health problems should try to avoid this posture –
- Anyone suffering from sciatica, a condition in which pain radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back to one or both legs.
- Those who suffer from arthritis, which is inflammation of one or more joints that causes stiffness and severe pain.
- People with knee or ankle pain should avoid it.
- Anyone who has recently had surgery.
“Trying this asana may worsen an existing pain or health problem,” says the expert. Siddhasana or Reached Pose may look like a simple yoga asana, but people with less flexibility may have a little trouble performing it. Be patient and practice it for health benefits like reduced stress and improved posture.
