Padmasana
In Sanskrit, Padma means "Lotus flower" and Asana means "pose" or "seat." This Asana translates to Lotus Pose and is described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita as well as the Shiva Samhita.
This practice is one of the thirty two Asanas described in the Gheranda Samhita as being helpful for humanity and is one of fifteen Asanas described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
This Asana requires the knees and hips to be flexible for comfortable practice. This practice is an advanced Meditative Asana. With this practice, the steadiness of the body leads to the steadiness of the mind.
As you sit the feet place pressure on the thighs which reduces blood flow to the legs. This action causes the blood in the legs to be redirected to the abdomen and pelvic organs, muscles and nerves in this area of the body.
Practice
Preform Dandasana or staff pose.
Turn the outside of the right foot down to the mat.
Bend the right knee bringing the right foot towards the groin, grab the right foot with both hands while place the right foot at the crease of the left hip.
Turn the outside of the left foot down to the mat.
Bend the left knee bringing the left foot towards the groin, grab the left foot with both hands while place the left foot at the crease of the right hip.
The six cleansing actions are intended to be the start of a Yoga practice in order to clean, strengthen, remove toxins and improve the flow of Prana through out the practitioner.
Yoga poses help to elongate and strengthen the muscles of the body as well as to calm the mind for the deeper spiritual practices of Yoga.
Breathing exercises are a great practice to remove carbon dioxide, increase lung capacity as well as being a good preparatory practice for the deepest spiritual practice of Yoga, Meditation.
The four body locks that makes up this practice give the practitioner the ability to hold or lock Prana in certain locations of the body. These practices also allow the practitioner to release blockages that may be holding the practitioner back.
The gestures in this practice include the whole body and are intended to awaken Prana, Chakras as well as Kundalini energy within the practitioner.
Meditation is the highest spiritual practice of Yoga which is why this practice is the most difficult practice to preform, but with correct knowledge and dedication, can be the most profound practice of Yoga.