Baddha Padmasana

Meaning: Baddha – bound ; Padmasana – lotus posture
The asana depicts a tied lotus posture

Procedure:
Sit on the ground with joined legs, palms on the either side of the body and vision in front. Inhale, and as you exhale, fold the right leg and keep the foot over left thigh. Again inhale and wile exhaling fold the left leg and keep it over right thigh. Now inhale, and exhaling, cross your hands behind the back and hold the big toe by opposite hands. Breathe normally a few times in the same position. Then, inhaling, release the hands and exhale. Inhaling again, release the left leg and exhale. Inhaling, come back to normal sitting posture.

Benefits:

The abdominal organs receive thorough massage
Useful for curing back ache and neck pain
Prevents and cures constipation
Crossing the hands behind results in better respiration and gets rid of drooping shoulders
It is an excellent meditative posture.

Limitations:

Those suffering from stiffness of movement of joints should take adequate precautions
Ladies shouldn’t practise it in pregnancy and menstruation

Reference:
Place the right heel at the root of the left thigh and vice versa. Cross the hands behind the back, grab the respective toes. Place the chin on the chest and look at nose. This is called Padmasana that destroys diseases.
– Hatha Yoga (44)