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Siddhasana ("adept's posture") is a yoga asana (posture). Alternative names are Svastikasana, Muktasana and Guptasana.

Sanskrit	English
siddha	content, perfect
baddha, bandha	bound, closed
kona	angle
svastika	fortunate
mukta	freedom
Gupta	son of Krishna and Lakshmanaa (not to be confused with Lakshmana, brother of Lord Rama)
asana	pose, sit

Siddhasana and padmasana ("lotus posture") are the two asanas traditionally used for dhyana (meditation) and various pranayama exercises, although many practitioners prefer sukhasana ("pleasant posture") because of its ease on the knees. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika asks, "When siddha-asana is mastered, of what use are the various other postures?"

Siddhasana is performed by placing the left heel against the groin area, or perineum, and the right ankle over the left; the left foot rests beneath the right leg, while the right foot rests in the fold behind the left knee. The spine should be held erect. A small meditation cushion or zafu may be used to aid in proper back alignment.

Depending on the particular school or system of yoga, sidhasana may be referred to as muktasana ("liberated posture"), guptasana ("concealed posture"), or even "the perfect pose".

[edit] See also

List of Hatha yoga postures