A constant process of meditation requires that the annoyance of the external environment is reduced to the minimum or is annulled entirely. This means that the yoga practitioner will be able to concentrate his own mind and to meditate only in absence of nervous impulses from the receptors.

Padma-âsana, siddha-âsana, sama-âsana, svastika-âsana: these are the most important meditative âsanas. The objective of these âsanas is to offer a stable and comfortable position for the practice of prânâyâma, of dhyâna, etc. With adopting a meditative yoga pose it is possible to extend the practice for hours without troubles or drawbacks. Also the corrective and relaxing âsanas predispose to that stability and mental calm that are necessary for meditation.

1. The meditative âsanas offer an ample triangular base for the body, base formed from the two knees and by the pelvic zone. This base constitutes a firm support for the body and guarantees the immobility. Even if the yoga student loses the feeling of the body during meditation, he likewise remains in equilibrium thanks to the subconscious control of the body.

2. The spine is maintained well straight in vertical position, and it doesn’t introduce other curves besides those physiological. This detail is important for the higher spiritual practices. A straight spine avoids the compression of the abdominal organs and leaves free the abdominal muscles for the respiratory activity, also facilitating the movements of the diaphragm. The organs of the digestive apparatus can exercise their functions without difficulty, including the peristaltic movements. Besides, the erect position of the spine prevents the risk to fall asleep during the practice. The position of the hands supports the spine.

samam kâyashirogrîvam
” One should hold one’s body, neck and head erect in a straight line”

This verse of the Bhagavadgîtâ says that the head, neck and the rest of the body must be well balanced. Sometimes, in the translation, it is found “spine right”, but this is not entirely exact. In fact, if the spine is right (in the sense that it is deprived of curves), then its normal curves are distorted; besides, to maintain such a posture, a certain conscious effort is demanded.
3. In such a condition the respiratory movements modify in continuation the diameter of the chest. The center of gravity moves forwards and backwards, although the oscillations of the chest are minimal. This stimulates the frontal and back muscle receptors of the trunk and provokes the contraction and relaxation through stretching reflexes. The inferior centers of the brain can easily maintain the equilibrium of the body and keep it awake with the lower awareness of the yogi student, so he cannot fall asleep during the meditation.

4. When other activities are reduced, the roots of the nerves of the trunk, particularly in the pelvic region, are free to send special sensory impulses from the coccyges, sacred and lumbar zone, directly to the central nervous system. These impulses are mainly due to the stimulations of the visceral receptors in these zones. It is easy to become aware of these feelings, when in such a state of calm and quiet.

5 Experiments have observed that energy’s requirement in an âsana is smaller in comparison to any other sitting position. This points out a minimal production of carbonic anhydride, due to a negligible muscular activity: this fact reduces to the minimum the activity of the bellow and heart.

6. The position of the legs, blocked in a folded up position and rotated to the outside, reduces to the minimum the circulation of blood in the inferior limbs. The horizontal position of the legs facilitates the venous reflux. No effort is needed from the musculature of the inferior limbs so that the venous circulation can win the strength of gravity, as it happens when the legs are found in a non blocked position. A greater quantity of blood flows to the pelvic and abdominal zone: the nerves of this region receive an additional supplement of blood and in this way they are invigorated.

7. The particular angle formed by the femoral bone with the pelvic belt facilitates the execution of mûla-bandha and uddiyâna-bandha.

In conclusion, the meditative postures allow to sit in a stable and comfortable way, without some burdening of the body, in a condition of perfect vigilance, in which the mind is free from disturbing interferences and well prepared to the meditation. Padma-âsana also constitutes the base of some educative yoga poses, as baddha-padma-âsana, yogamudrâ, matsya-âsana, parvata-âsana, etc.

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