Lotus pose (padmasana) yoga Lotus pose or Padmasana ( Sanskrit : पद्मासन ) is a cross-legged sitting meditation pose from ancient India , in which each foot is placed on the opposite thigh. It is an ancient asana in yoga , predating hatha yoga , and is widely used for meditation in Hindu , Tantra , Jain , and Buddhist traditions Meditative postures or meditation seats are the body positions or asanas , usually sitting but also sometimes standing or reclining, used to facilitate meditation . Best known in the Buddhist and Hindu traditions are the lotus and kneeling positions; other options include sitting on a chair, with the spine upright. lotus pose (padmasana) yoga include half lotus, bound lotus, and psychic union pose. Advanced variations of several other asanas including yoga headstand have the legs in lotus or half lotus. The pose can be uncomfortable for people unused to sitting on the floor, and attempts to force the legs into posi
