Vajrasana : The Thundbolt or Diamond Pose

Vajrasana is also known as the Diamond Pose. The term Vajrasana is derived from two Sanskrit words Vajra means thunderbolt and Asana means pose. The word Vajra can also decipher as va + ra where va means to move and ra means radiant. According to its literal meaning it is a pose that radiates blood supply and subtle energies to upper body.

Vajrasana : The Thundbolt or Diamond Pose - Detailed Description

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"Make the thighs tight like adamant and place the legs by the two sides of the anus. This is called the Vajra-asana. It give psychic powers to the Yogi." - Gheranda-samhita II.12

Steps:

1. The vajrasana is a seated posture. 
2. Begin by sitting back on your heels and placing your knees, legs and feet together.
3. Keeping the back straight place the palms of your hands down on top of your thights.
4. Breath gently thorugh your nostrils and sit in this position for at least three minutes.
5. The Vajrasana can be held for as long as is comfortable (and depending on the reason for doing the posture.
6. The Vajrasana is a versatile posture well suited for meditation, rest in between other seated postures, or as an aid to digestion.
7. The Vajrasana is the first stop in various other yoga postures such as the Anjaneya Asana (Salutation Posture) and the Ushtra Asana (Camel Pose.

Benefits:

• Vajrasana improves the flow of blood and nervous impulses in the pelvic region and strengthens the pelvic muscles.
• Vajrasana is a preventative measure against hernia and also helps to relieve piles.
• Vajrasana increases the efficiency of the entire digestive system, relieving stomach ailments such as hyperacidity and peptic ulcer.
• Vajrasana reduces the blood flow to the genitals and massages the nerve fibers which feed them, making it useful in the treatment of dilated testicles and hydrocele in men.
• Vajrasana is a very important meditation posture because the body becomes upright and straight with no effort. Vajrasana is the best meditation asana for people suffering from sciatica and sacral infections.
• Vajrasana helps to keep blood pressure under control.
• The special fold of the legs forms one Bandha in Vajrasana. Consequently the blood circulation in the waist - downward portions is controlled. For this reason Vajrasana is recommended after Shirshasana.

Tips and Help:

• If there is pain in the thighs, the knees may be separated slightly while maintaining the posture.
• Beginners may find that their ankles ache after a short time in vajrasana. To remedy this, release the posture, sit with the legs stretched forward and shake the feet vigorously one after the other until the stiffness disappears. Then resume the posture. A folded blanket or small cushion may be placed between the buttocks and the heels for added comfort.