Lotus Pose - Padmasana
Seated Poses - Meditation

​Lotus pose is an iconic posture of meditation and typically a result of extensive Hatha Yoga practice, especially for "modern" bodies. People in cultures who generally sit on the floor however may need no training, or very little, to access the pose.  It requires great external hip rotation. One of the most common errors is attempting this pose before the hips are sufficiently mobile, which could move strain and tension by twisting the knee or placing pressure on the ankle joint. 

The pose is practiced properly when the tops of both feet rest close to the hip crease, the knees are low or touching the ground without effort, and the ankles are close to the neutral position. When this arrangement is made, the structure of the legs, hips, pelvis, and lower back becomes very stable, an interlocked self supportive struture. This is the reason lotus is desirable as a meditation posture for it's ease of steadiness. 

As the body is more compact it will also retain more heat. Also the energy channels of the feet will be turned upwards and merge and this can be felt as part of the lightness of the pose, the sometimes "floating" upper body sensation, or more intense energetic sensations close to the central channel along the axis of the body. Anytime more of the body parts are touching together it may also be easier to feel these sublte inner sensations when the body and mind are still enough and the breath is very regular, soft, or also still.

The lotus as a symbol is used in many eastern traditions when illustrating our ability to develop ourselves to the highest potential, regardless of the environment, much as a beautiful lotus flower grows gracefully from the mud.

Preparation 

Great poses to practice for opening the hips to be able to sit easily in Lotus Pose;
Warrior II
Side Angle
Revolved Side Angle
Pigeon
Bound Angle Pose