Scriptures & Spiritual Texts  Hatha Yoga Pradipika FAQs  FAQ
Which asanas are specifically described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and what are their benefits?

Six classical postures stand out in that crisp, fourth-century manual—each a gateway to steadiness and subtle energy shifts.

  1. Siddhāsana (Adept’s Pose)
    • Description: One heel pressing the perineum, the other heel tucked above it.
    • Benefits: Anchors the mind, seals the mula bandha, awakens dormant kundalinī sparks. In today’s hustle, it’s like hitting the “pause” button on a frantic playlist.

2 Padmāsana (Lotus Pose)
• Description: Ankles crossed over opposite thighs, spine upright.
• Benefits: Aligns the spine, soothes the nervous system, cultivates inner fire without agitation. Modern meditators use it to rack up calmer cortisol readings—no wonder it’s a staple on every International Day of Yoga mat.

3 Simhāsana (Lion Pose)
• Description: Knees apart, body settled on heels, hands splayed on thighs; a loud “ha” roar.
• Benefits: Clears throat chakra congestion, boosts circulation in face and neck—perfect for combating Zoom-call tension and that stiff “tech neck.”

4 Bhadrasana (Gracious Pose)
• Description: Soles together, knees wide, spine tall.
• Benefits: Opens hips, massages the lower belly, steadies breath. Feels like unlocking a hidden door in the pelvis, releasing trapped stress from long hours at the desk.

5 Gomukhasana (Cow-Face Pose)
• Description: One knee stacked over the other, opposite arm reaches over shoulder to clasp the other hand behind the back.
• Benefits: Stretches shoulders, improves lung capacity, dissolves energy knots around the heart center—ideal for anyone juggling back-to-back meetings.

6 Mayūrāsana (Peacock Pose)
• Description: Hands planted, elbows hugging torso, body lifted horizontally.
• Benefits: Fire-building asana that tones the abdomen, ignites digestive agni and clears gut sluggishness—a timely antidote to late-night snacking trends on TikTok.

These age-old shapes aren’t about flashy acrobatics but rather about settling inner dust so the light of awareness can shine through. Amid today’s whirlwind, their simple elegance continues to whisper: “Less is truly more.”