Vinyala

Pose sheet

Adept's Pose

Siddhāsanaसिद्धासन

Sit upright with stacked heels, one near the perineum, the other against the pubis.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Sitting bones and legs on floor; don't sit on your heels.

Enter

  1. Sit with your legs extended in front of you.
  2. Bend your left leg: heel near perineum, sole against right thigh.
  3. Cross your right foot over left ankle, heel against pubis.
  4. Tuck your right foot between your left thigh and calf.
  5. Palms up on knees; join thumb and index, other fingers extended.

Hold

  1. Keep your torso upright and your head aligned.
  2. Distribute weight between both sitting bones, without sitting on your heels.
  3. Rest your hands on your knees and relax your shoulders.
  4. Let your knees rest without pushing them toward the floor.

Exit

  1. Release your feet and rest.
  2. Switch the leg crossing and hold for the same duration.
Breathing
Breathe through your nose without holding your breath.
Gaze
Turn your gaze inward, as toward your nose tip.
Duration
As long as you can maintain it; equal time per crossing.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • Raised seatRaise your sitting bones with a firm cushion or folded blanket.
  • Supported kneesSupport each knee with a folded blanket.
  • Cloth between anklesPlace a folded cloth where your ankles touch.
  • Alternative chair seatSit on the front edge, spine upright and feet supported.

Variations

  • Classical (HYP I.37): chin to chest, gaze between the eyebrows.
  • Lower-heel variation: sit on your lower heel with eyes closed.
  • Siddha Yoni Āsana: lower heel rests against the groin.

Signals of effort

  • Deep flexion of both knees.
  • Stacked heels near the perineum and pubis.
  • Contact between the ankles.