Sukhasana: Are You Really in Sukhasana

Are you really in Sukhasana (Easy, Cross-Legged Pose)? There are many cross-legged positions in yoga, each with its own purpose, so let's figure out what you need to do.

Here is Swastikasana (heals line up in front of the perineum):


Here is Siddhasana (heals stack on top of each other):



And HERE is Sukhasana (Shins are virtually parallel and feet are underneath the opposite knees):


Each cross-legged pose has a different purpose. Each opens the hip joint a bit differently, of course. I also find I enjoy each for different purposes. I find Sukhasana very stable for doing upper body work such as shoulder rolls and neck stretches. I like the stability for forward folding and twists. (Experiment with this one. Do a forward fold in Siddhasana or Swastikasana. Your sit bones pop up.) I prefer Siddhasana for meditation. I find the groundedness of the thighs beneficial for calming my mind.

What do you discover? Add these ideas to the other Study Points we suggested!

April Study Points: Sukhasana

Are you really in Sukhasana? Shins need to be parallel with feet hidden under opposite knee.

Sit in the pose for a long time – 5-10 minutes. What comes up?

Compare being on a lift and not. What changes?

How is this pose different from Siddhasana? Compare the two. When would one be more appropriate than the other?

Study Points: Uttanasana

With about 10 days to go on this pose, here are some thoughts for you:

Put a block between your legs to engage your inner thighs. How does that feel?

Do the pose with your back to the wall. How close can you be to the wall and not touch it?

Do the pose standing on two blocks. What changes?

How does Uttanasana compare to Prasarita Padottanasana for you? Physically AND energetically?

Study Point of the Week: Virabhadrasana I

This pose needs the back body fully engaged. What do you need to do to engage it?

Virabhadrasana I Inspiration

Our pose this month is Warrior I. Here is some inspiration for studying the pose.

Play with the position of your arms (hands together, hands apart) and feel the effect on the entire pose.

Please leave a comment with your thoughts.

Parsvottanasana: Ideas for Deeper Study

Before moving into the pose, feel complete equality between each leg. Then move slowly into the pose maintaining that equality.

Explore the connection between your back heal and your heart.

How does your heart affect your head position?

Play with the position of your arms behind your back. Do you have a position you prefer? Why?

Study Point of the Week: Ardha Chandrasana

Move into the pose in one flowing movement rather than pausing in Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), the traditional “launching” pose.

Study Point of the Week: Ardha Chandrasana

Let your focus be opening your heart from Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) all the way through the pose.

Maricyasana III: Study Point of the Week

How can you get more deeply into your upper back? When we twist, we tend to keep the twist in the mid-back, around T-11, T-12, and L-1. Getting it into the upper back is a powerful way of increasing the twist and making it deeper.

Maricyasana III: Study Point of the Week

There are two ways to turn the head in this pose, looking behind you and looking toward your toes. Play with each one. Which do you prefer? Why?

Bhujangasana: This Week's Study Point

Does where you place your hands affect how you experience the pose?

Bhujangasana: This Week's Study Point

What is your greatest challenge with this pose?

Vrksasana: This Week's Study Point

Do you prefer hands in front of your chest or overhead? Why? Let us know...

Vrksasana: This Week's Study Point

On which foot to you usually or always begin? What happens when you change sides? Why?