Morning reading whilst sat in lotus... Padmasana or lotus position is a yoga Asana of having both feet folded on top of the inner thigh.
Aside from having wonderful effects on the body the pose and arrangement of the hands and legs resembles the petals of a lotus flower. A lotus flower begins its growth rooted firmly in the mud and grows to open its petals above the water and open to the sun. Metaphorically it represents the process of unfolding and blooming from a rooted foundation. It also represents the activation of the dormant energy at the base chakra moving up the spine to realisation and activation of the crown chakra and higher awareness, also known as kundalini awakening. Due to the stable nature of the pose it helps to activate and channel the life force from the root lock.
It also helps with meditation and finding your centre and inner voice as when the legs are fixed together it creates an internal energy container rather than allowing your energy to run into the earth when your feet are placed on the ground so it internalises your energy allowing for greater connection to the self and inner knowing. The lock created by the pose also activates some acupuncture points of stomach, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, and liver. This brings about changes in the metabolic structure and brain patterns, helping to create balance in the whole system.
If you are not able to do lotus there are options such as half lotus where you put just one leg into the lotus position there are lots of articles online that can help you with ways to move into the lotus position over time.
