Question

Which one of the following positions is related to Yog Mudra?

• A. Sit in Padmasana, clasp wrists over the head, bend forward and touch the forehead to the floor
• B. Sit in Padmasana, clasp wrists behind the back, bend forward and touch the forehead to the floor
• C. Sit in Vajrasana, clasp wrists behind the back, bend forward and touch the forehead to the floor
• D. Sit in Vajrasana, clasp wrists over the head, bend forward and touch the forehead to the floor

Hint:

To remember this, think of the name: "Yoga" (unity/lotus) and "Mudra" (the hand seal at the back). If you sit in Vajrasana and bend forward, it is typically called Mandukasana or Shashankasana.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Yog Mudra (specifically Yoga Mudrasana) is a forward-bending seated asana that combines the benefits of Padmasana (Lotus Pose) with a deep stretch for the back and a massage for the abdominal organs.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The procedure involves:
1. Choosing the correct base (Asana).
2. Choosing the correct hand placement (Mudra/Lock).
3. Executing the movement (Forward bend).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

1. The Base: The traditional posture requires sitting in Padmasana (Lotus Pose). While some variations use Sukhasana or Vajrasana, the formal "Yog Mudra" in physical education curriculum is defined by the Lotus position.
2. The Hand Lock: One hand holds the wrist of the other behind the back. This pulls the shoulders back and opens the chest before the descent.
3. The Movement: The practitioner exhales and bends forward from the hips, attempting to touch the forehead to the floor. This creates a "seal" (Mudra) that directs energy inward.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The position related to Yog Mudra is sitting in Padmasana, clasping wrists behind the back, and bending forward to touch the forehead to the floor.

Answer 2

Each of these four options is built from three independent components, the seated base, the hand position, and the direction of the bend, so checking each option component by component pinpoints exactly where the wrong ones go wrong.

1. Sit in Padmasana, clasp wrists over the head, bend forward and touch the forehead to the floor: The base (Padmasana) is correct and the forward bend to the floor is correct, but the hand position is wrong; clasping the wrists over the head does not create the shoulder-opening lock that Yog Mudra requires before the forward fold.
2. Sit in Padmasana, clasp wrists behind the back, bend forward and touch the forehead to the floor: All three components match, the base is Padmasana, the hands are clasped behind the back, and the movement is a forward bend ending with the forehead on the floor, exactly as the pose is defined.
3. Sit in Vajrasana, clasp wrists behind the back, bend forward and touch the forehead to the floor: The hand position and the forward-bending movement are both correct, but the base posture is wrong; Yog Mudra is traditionally performed from Padmasana, not Vajrasana, which is a kneeling pose rather than the cross-legged lotus seat.
4. Sit in Vajrasana, clasp wrists over the head, bend forward and touch the forehead to the floor: Here, only the forward-bending movement matches; both the base (Vajrasana instead of Padmasana) and the hand position (over the head instead of behind the back) are incorrect, making this the option furthest from the actual pose.

Checking the base, hand position, and direction of movement separately shows that only one option gets all three components right at once.

Therefore, the correct answer is Sit in Padmasana, clasp wrists behind the back, bend forward and touch the forehead to the floor.