The Sanskrit word “Swastika” is commonly considered an amalgamation of “su” and “asti.” “Su” means “good,” and “asti” means “being.” Thus, Swastika(Swastikasana) signifies well-being. It is an auspicious symbol in Indian culture, representing goodness. (Yoga Mat)
Let us perform Swastikasana by following these steps:
Starting position: Sit erect with your legs extended together.
- Place the left heel against the right groin.
- Place the right heel against the left groin.
- Insert your toes between your thighs and calves. Sit erect with your spine straight. Rest your hands in jnana mudra on your knees. To form jnana mudra, bend the index fingers and join the tips of the index fingers with the tips of the thumbs. This is known as Swastikasana. Maintain the position for 10 seconds.
- Release your hands and place them on the floor by your sides.
Releasing position: (Yoga Mat)
- Stretch out your right leg back to the beginning position.
- Extend your left leg back to the starting position.
- Sit in the starting position. Repeat the posture by reversing the sequence of the legs.
Remember the following points:
Do’s
- In the final posture, keep your spine erect.
- Adjust your feet so that your knees rest on the ground.
Don’ts
- Do not apply undue force to assume the posture.
- Do not bend backward.
Benefits:
- Helps in concentrating the mind.
- Strengthens the ankle joints.
- Increases flexibility in the knee and ankle joints.
Limitations:
- Avoid this asana if suffering from sciatica or pain in the knee and ankle joints. (Yoga Mat)