Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose or Butterfly Pose) is a classical yoga posture that opens the pelvis, strengthens the abdominal region and is traditionally associated with Samana Vayu, the balancing force of digestion and inner centring.
By Heinz Grill
Originally published in German on 1st September 2016 and updated on 24th May 2026
What is Baddha Konasana?
Baddha konasana1) baddha koṇāsana literally means “bound angle pose” but is often also known as butterfly pose. the bound angle pose, also called the butterfly pose, is one of the classical yoga exercises. In the New Yoga Will this position is linked in particular with the harmonising energy of samana vayu, which can have a centering, strengthening, and ordering effect on the organism.
The energetic significance of the bound angle pose – prana and vayu
In the general language of the modern day, the word “energy” is used for almost any phenomenon that is not material. Whilst matter is characterised by solid structures and definable descriptions, energy in its nature is shown in movement or use of power, which can only partly be measured or described.
In the teaching of yoga, the word “prana” exists for all impulses of movement and power that, in a first instance, are not of a material kind.2) The original meaning of prāṇa is “life force”, “breath” or “vital principle”. In the classical yoga texts, this term depicts not just physical energy but a differentiated principle of life and movement. Sadly this Sanskrit word, prana, which essentially means life energy, has been trivialised and used for all kinds of phenomena connected with body and psyche. A more precise differentiation details the existence of 5 so-called life-energies or vayus. These are apana, prana, viyana, udana, and samana.3) The yoga tradition distinguishes between five chief forms of prāṇa: prāṇa, apāna, samāna, udāna, and vyāna. These are assigned to various processes of movement and organisation with different functions in the organism.
Understanding samana vayu through the concept of ether forces
Anthroposophy has to this day not adopted this Sanskrit terminology, as Rudolf Steiner followed sooner the occult schools of the West and, similarly to the ancient Greek initiates, spoke of the etheric body and its four-fold nature. The etheric body is subdivided into warmth ether, light ether, chemical ether, and life ether.4) The term “ether” has been taken here from Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophical terminology and refers to the formative life forces, not the earlier, physical concept of ether of the 19th century.
An analogy between these ethers and the 5 vayus only works within limits, as these systems have evolved and developed from very different preconditions, and an analogy between them would lead to an unnecessary levelling.
Samana vayu and the effects of baddha konasana on digestion
Samana is the form of energy that is localised in the digestion.5) In the teaching of yoga, samāna vāyu is connected with balancing and assimilating processes in the abdominal and digestive region. Traditionally it is assigned to the navel centre. The word can be translated as “to come together” or “to combine in a way that balances harmoniously”. It promotes the element of homogeneous meeting. If the evolution of this Sanskrit word is researched, then in the word for “homogeneous meeting” there is actually an energetic meaning: In digestion the body “draws together” with its movements of enzymes and proteases in order to fortify and build up substance. It contracts and substantiates itself in this action of forces, and this process happens on an immaterial, or generally speaking, on an energetic, concentrated basis.
The chemical ether in anthroposophy
The chemical ether most convincingly and closely describes this contractive force, which achieves its greatest activity in the intestine.6) Anthroposophy uses the term “chemical ether” to depict ordering and connecting forces, which in particular are linked to processes of metabolism and construction. All exercises that demand a contraction in the pelvis promote this energy. Experience shows that when it is well developed, it has a strengthening effect on the immune system.
How to practise baddha konasana
One of the most excellent yoga positions for this is baddha konasana, the bound angle pose, which can be done to various degrees, from sitting upright to a complete forward flexion. The movement is mobilised entirely through the power of contraction in the lowermost region of the body, while the upper body finds its way to extend and lengthen more freely and easily.
A preparatory exercise is the butterfly position, in which the knees gently flap up and down until, increasingly, they come all the way down. This movement is highly recommended at the beginning of practice.
Picture series of baddha konasana
The picture series shows an already very advanced practice of baddha konasana. For beginners, it can be done in a gentler, less extended form.
Baddha Konasana is not just about stretching or flexibility. The exercise can lead a person to become consciously centered, connecting an inner collectedness with a free uprightness.
This article throws light on the following questions:
What are the effects of baddha konasana?
Baddha konasana opens the pelvic area, promotes uprightness of the spine, and supports a centered activity in the abdominal region.
Is sitting with the legs bent outwards good for the pelvis?
Sitting with the legs bent outwards can promote flexibility and help the muscular tone in the lower back to become more harmoniously distributed.
What is the difference between prana forces and ether forces?
In the teaching of yoga, prana refers to forces of life and movement, while anthroposophy uses the term ether forces to depict formative and constructive life processes.
What does samana vayu mean?
In yoga, samana vayu refers to a balancing and centering force that resides primarily in the second energy center in the abdomen.
How does baddha konasana affect digestion?
Baddha konasana can activate the abdominal and digestive area, and yoga links it with a harmonising effect on the digestive forces.
Anmerkungen
| ⇑1 | baddha koṇāsana literally means “bound angle pose” but is often also known as butterfly pose. |
|---|---|
| ⇑2 | The original meaning of prāṇa is “life force”, “breath” or “vital principle”. In the classical yoga texts, this term depicts not just physical energy but a differentiated principle of life and movement. |
| ⇑3 | The yoga tradition distinguishes between five chief forms of prāṇa: prāṇa, apāna, samāna, udāna, and vyāna. These are assigned to various processes of movement and organisation with different functions in the organism. |
| ⇑4 | The term “ether” has been taken here from Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophical terminology and refers to the formative life forces, not the earlier, physical concept of ether of the 19th century. |
| ⇑5 | In the teaching of yoga, samāna vāyu is connected with balancing and assimilating processes in the abdominal and digestive region. Traditionally it is assigned to the navel centre. |
| ⇑6 | Anthroposophy uses the term “chemical ether” to depict ordering and connecting forces, which in particular are linked to processes of metabolism and construction. |