"The more wisdom you possess, the more humble becomes your mind. The more understanding you develop, the more helpful become your actions. The more goodness residing in your heart, the more love you feel for everything."

We now come to the final and highest level of Asanas - Padmasana (Lotus) and the practice of various postures in Padmasana.

Along with Shirshasana, Padmasana is known as the supreme and “royal” Asana. Why is this posture so important? Padmasana is the only sitting posture in where the spine is completely upright, so that the lungs are entirely free for breathing. Above all, it opens the Chakras along the spine and activates the corresponding nerve centres. As the qualities of each Chakra begin to unfold, the Yoga aspirant is opened to diverse levels of consciousness. This is why Yogis always sit for deep meditation in Padmasana.

The lotus is a symbol full of meaning for the Yogi and the Yoga aspirant. In mythology, the lotus blossom represents beauty, purity and spirituality. Since it always floats upon the surface of water, it also gives us a model of how to live and act in this world. Water is symbolic of Maya (the world) and the lotus blossom is symbolic of man. Humans and the world are strongly interrelated and just as the lotus blossom can only thrive in water, humans and other living beings can only develop and attain realisation in this world. Just as the lotus floats upon the water’s surface, untouched by the water, Yogis live in this world inwardly untouched by temptations, pleasures, difficulties and misfortunes. In every respect they are free, even though Maya seeks to lead them astray through the waves of emotion and desire.

To the Yogi, the lotus blossom is a symbol of Divine consciousness and love. Those who meditate on the lotus blossom can realise its perfection within themselves. For those who find the divine lotus within, the search is over.