Yoga has become the “go to” modality to heal the trinity of body, mind and soul. Yoga places ‘positive stress’ on your body and energy system (‘breath body’) to help us cope with today’s challenging world.

Exploring yoga in different poses brings different challenges, from more active ‘yang’ postures and sequences that demand incredible focus and concentration to ‘yin’ postures and sequences that require patience and a deep letting go.

Vajrasana or ‘sitting posture’ is a deeply relaxing yoga pose or ‘asana’ that brings multiple benefits to the internal organs of the body, especially the tummy. It is also known as the adamantine pose, the thunderbolt or the diamond pose.

How to perform Vajrasana or ‘Sitting Pose’

Vajrasana means kneeling down, laying your shins on the floor and placing your hips down over on your heels, so that your shoulders are stacked over your hips. The heels press upwards into your sitting bones.

Kneeling seems like a pretty simple thing to do – yet many people will find this seemingly easy pose difficult! So here are some ways to support the position for greater comfort:

Blanket for ankle comfort.If you’re feeling a lot of pressure on the toes or have problems pointing your toes to make the front of the ankle rest flat, take a blanket, fold it up, and rest your shins on them as your toes “hang off” the back. This means you will take the pressure off your toe joints.

Blanket for knee comfort. If you’re feeling pain in your knees (because the knee is flexed), take a blanket and stack it behind your knees (between your calves and thighs).

As your body changes, you might be able to reduce the layers of blanket you need.

Block for knee comfort.Another option for elevating the pelvis and reducing the angle of flexion in the knee is to sit on a block. Run a yoga block (using its medium height) horizontally under your pelvis, and settle your sitting bones on it.

The huge benefits of performing Vajrasana daily.

Vajrasana is supposed to be comfortable – it stretches your thighs, legs, hip, knees, back and ankles.  Yet it offers much more than the external stretch alone.

Vajrasana stimulates the vajra nadi which facilitates good digestion. It also helps give relief from sciatica, nerve issues and indigestion. When you sit in vajrasana you obstruct blood flow to the lower part of your body – thighs and legs – which increases blood flow to your pelvic area and stomach. As a result, bowel movement and digestion becomes better. It also aids liver functions as well.

Usually yoga is done on an empty stomach, or near-empty stomach. Yet Vajrasana is the only pose that can be done on a full stomach. In fact, it should be done right after having a meal to help with digestion.

Most of us are so used to slouching on a couch and sitting on chairs that we’ve forgotten how our bodies can help us!

Vajrasana receives constipation and facilitates nutrient absorption. The Japanese tea ceremony always happens sitting in vajrasana!

Vajrasana is great for the stomach, liver and uterus (in women). It also strengthens the lower back.

The pose is ideal for practicing long meditations.

Cautions/Contraindications

Avoid doing this pose if you have a leg or knee injury. Always practice this posture under supervision in case of back pain and/or knee injury.