Yoga Anatomy

Common skeletal joint actions (for two previous poses)

Spine Lower limbs

Neutral or axial extension Hip flexion, internal rotation, and adduction;

knee flexion; ankle plantar flexion

Notes

As in sitting poses such as sukhasana (page 126), siddhasana (page 126), and padmasana
(page 127), the goal is steadiness and ease, or sthira and sukha, the fundamental qualities
of all asanas as described by Patañjali in the Yoga Sutras. Virasasana and vajrasana are
excellent poses for supporting the spine and skull in a way that allows the senses to turn
inward for pranayama and meditation (like the sitting poses beginning on page 126).
For some people, these kneeling positions are easier than sitting cross-legged because the
hip joints do not need to externally rotate or adduct as they do in siddhasana or sukhasana.
Kneeling poses are also more symmetrical because both legs can do the same action and
neither leg is crossed in front of the other. This crossing of the legs creates an asymmetrical
action in the pelvis and hips that can have long-term effects.