Seated poses
Poses taken on the floor, where the pelvis is the base and the spine works above it.
Beginner seated poses 12
Learnable in a first class, with a version that works for most bodies.
Intermediate seated poses 10
Assume a working base of strength and range, and a teacher who has watched you move.
Advanced seated poses 7
Long-practice poses. The risk is rarely the shape itself — it is arriving at it years early.
Questions
What are seated poses in yoga?
Poses taken on the floor, where the pelvis is the base and the spine works above it. YogaPath lists 29 of them, from Auspicious Pose through to Reclining Thunderbolt Pose.
Which seated poses should a beginner start with?
The 12 poses in this family marked beginner: Auspicious Pose, Bound Angle Pose, Easy Pose, Garland Pose, Gracious Pose and others. Each has a version that works for most bodies, and each page lists who should skip it.
Are seated poses safe for everyone?
No family of poses is. Each page in this group lists its own contraindications — pregnancy, blood pressure, glaucoma, and neck, knee, shoulder or wrist injury all rule out specific poses. Read the cautions on the individual page, ask your doctor if a condition applies to you, and learn the poses with a qualified teacher.
Asana names are traditional. Every step, benefit and caution on this page is written for YogaPath rather than reproduced from any book, studio or other library — see how this site is written. Energy figures derive from the 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities. General information only — not medical advice. Some asanas are unsuitable during pregnancy, injury or specific conditions. Learn from a qualified teacher and stop if anything hurts.