lotus posture

yoga practice

Also known as: padmasana

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The lotus posture, or padmasana, is a cross-legged sitting position used in yoga where each foot rests on the thigh of the opposite leg. This posture is named for its supposed resemblance to a lotus blossom.1

In Hatha Yoga, a school of yoga that emphasizes mastering the body for spiritual perfection, the lotus posture is a common asana (bodily posture). While it is depicted in many Hindu and Buddhist traditions, it is just one of many asanas described in Hatha Yoga texts. The practice of Hatha Yoga, which includes postures like the lotus, has gained popularity in the West as a form of exercise that builds strength, flexibility, and mental focus.2

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asana
…common is the padmasana (“lotus posture”).
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…common is the padmasana (“lotus posture”).
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Hatha Yoga
A common asana is the padmasana (“lotus posture”), in which the crossed feet rest on the opposite thighs. This is the position in which many Hindu and Buddhist gods are often depicted, but it is only one of dozens described in Hatha Yoga treatises. The “salute to the sun” is…
Read More
A common asana is the padmasana (“lotus posture”), in which the crossed feet rest on the opposite thighs. This is the position in which many Hindu and Buddhist gods are often depicted, but it is only one of dozens described in Hatha Yoga treatises. The “salute to the sun” is…
Read More