By Nirooshitha Sethuram, Yogaratna
The sweetness of sitting is found in Sukhasana, one of my favorite poses. The name says it all. Sukha in Sanskrit means happiness, pleasant, ease, joy or bliss.
Sukhasana gives me all these experiences, and more, especially when well aligned with an upright spine. Then I settle into myself. I find the balance point in my torso and use the natural support of my spinal column.
I also use props to make myself comfortable. Rolled blankets under my knees keep my thighs level, front to back. When I am well aligned with props, my head stays where it belongs, and my sit
My whole spine lengthens from my tailbone all the way into my ribcage and neck. I feel my hips opening. This spinal release unravels tension in my knees and ankles as well.
Then I can sit in Sukhasana for a longer time. I simply abide in my own Self, settling into stillness, outside and inside. I often sit in Sukhasana when I am listening to my Guru’s discourses and other teachings. I meditate in Sukhasana all the time. The simplicity of this pose makes it easy for me to teach, meditate and pray.
Most of all, this pose soothes and calms my mind and grounds me inside. It provides the physical support that allows me to experience a sense of inner peace and calmness while remaining completely present. It fills me fully and brings contentment.
Sitting in Sukhasana invites my mind to come inside, sit and stay. It also gives me the pillar of support while practicing Ujjayi Pranayama. I can accustom myself to the inner energies that are balancing and flowing up my spine. My mind is quieted and my awareness turns easily inward.
This is all possible by the blessings of our Guru, Swami Nirmalananda Saraswati, whom we lovingly call GurudeviJi. I am forever grateful to my Guru and the practices she has blessed us with, so gracefully.
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