Day 11 Sukhasana 

Easy Pose

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Sukhasana (soo-KAHS-uh-nuh)

Don't let the name fool you. If you're used to sitting in chairs, Easy Pose or Sukhasana can be quite challenging.

 

Easy Pose is a basic seated yoga posture. It is depicted in some of the oldest images of ancient yogis in India, some of which are at least 2,000 years old. 

Sukhasana is intended to be comfortable and calming. 

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Sukhasana is a very common pose for practicing meditation and breathing exercises (called “pranayama”). It is also often used as an alternative to practicing Lotus Pose (Padmasana) for those whose hips are very tight.

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Sukhasana is a pose that many people automatically practice as children, but lose the ability to do over time due to sitting in chairs. This is a very modern problem. Early yogis didn’t have the “convenience” of chairs, so their hips were much more open. Sukhasana is especially good to practice if your hips are very tight — just be sure to prop yourself up so your hips are higher than your knees.

 

A few times a day, come down to the floor and sit in Sukhasana. Notice how different it feels than to sit in a chair. Regular practice will gradually open your hips and bring your spine into correct alignment.

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BENEFITS:

Sukhasana strengthens the back and stretches the knees and ankles. It also opens the hips, groin, and outer thigh muscles (abductors). Sitting upright with your spine aligned also reduces stress and anxiety. It calms the mind and is known to be therapeutic for stress.