Any dangers with gupta padmasana?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I’ve found a new favorite pose! :slight_smile:

Just saw it on Youtube and tried it out of curiousity, and perhaps I had some feeling that it could be a nice pose for me. I found it deeply relaxing and even pleasurable to lie in. So far I’ve only stayed in it just for a shorter period of time each time I’ve tried it.

Anything I should be aware of as far as dangers go? Can I stay in this position for a longer time? Should I work up to that very gradually or just go for it. I’ve read one can meditate in it and I’m thinking why not?

#2

I used to do a lot of lotus pose in my beginner stage. My teacher told me that sitting for long time in the lotus can hurt the knees in the long run. I did not paid attention. Now my knee hurts for almost 4 years, maybe it is because of abusing the lotus pose.

Gupta padmasana involves great hip oping. Which can be dangerous as well.

Just be aware of sensations in your knees and hips when you doing it.

By the way there are lot of great poses with same amount of benefits and less danger, but they just not looking soo cool:)

#3

I’d advise opening the hips first before padmasana or virasana.And not always so straighforward either, at least for some folk.

The knees can take the strain in poses where the hips are insufficiently open.

#4

Interesting pose, I have never seen it before.

The risks of lotus have been discussed before, as well as in your other post (knees!).

This pose may also result in unwanted strain in your lower back, especially if your hip abduction is limited.

For meditation, I think a sitting pose might be better.

#5

The pose you mention is not one that is included in my practice, training, or teaching. Therefore my feedback is based on anatomy and the poses which build to that pose - reverse namaste and lotus.

The concerns would be shoulders, knees, the lumbar spine, and sacrum/sacroiliac joint. I believe the others have outlined the nuances of these concerns, save for the shoulder. Caveat emptor.

#6

I am being careful with it and I’m not staying in it long, for now. Going to build up that very gradually, if at all, and just keep enjoying the relaxing feeling this pose has on me. Why ruin it by over doing it?