8 Health Benefits Of Vajrasana!

Introduction

Vajrasana is a popular yogasana, to strengthen our body and focus our mind. It is also known as:

• Thunderbolt Pose
• Diamond Pose
• Adamantine Pose

Health Benefits of Performing Vajrasana

1. Good for our Digestive System

Performing vajrasana helps our digestive system in many ways^[1]. It obstructs blood flow to our legs and thighs and increases it in our stomach area, thus helping improve our bowel movements and relieving constipation.

Vajrasana also helps us to get rid of flatulence (gas) and acidity. It ensures better absorption of nutrients by our body.

Normally any kind of exercise or yoga is not performed immediately after having meals. But it is good to perform Vajrasana after meals since it helps digestion.

2. Relieves Lower Back Pain

Performing Vajrasana helps to strengthen our lower back muscles, thus providing relief from occasional pain and discomfort. It also helps to relieve pain caused by sciatica^[1].

3. Keeps Blood Sugar Levels Under Control

Vajrasana can also help in controlling diabetes^[2]. In fact, it is one of the asanas that reinforce how beneficial yoga is for diabetes. It stimulates the abdominal organs like the pancreas and liver, thereby improving the body’s ability to produce insulin in an optimal manner. Performing Vajrasana can facilitate short-term improvements in fasting glucose levels, making it an excellent asana for people with diabetes^[1].  

4. Relieves Rheumatic Pain

Performing Vajrasana helps to increase the flexibility of the thigh and foot muscles and also the muscles around our hips, knees and ankles. This helps to relieve rheumatic pain in these areas due to stiffness. Vajrasana also helps in reducing heel pain caused by calcaneal spurs and pain due to gout.

Through my interactions with patients, I have observed that vajrasana may be beneficial in strengthening thigh muscles. The seated position in Vajrasana engages the muscles in the thighs, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, providing them with a gentle yet effective workout. Regular practice of Vajrasana, along with a balanced exercise routine, can contribute to improved strength and stability in the thigh muscles.

Dr. Smita Barode, BAMS, M.S.

5. Strengthens Pelvic Floor Muscles

Performing Vajrasana increases blood circulation in the pelvis and strengthens our pelvic floor muscles^[1]. It is thus useful for women suffering from stress urinary incontinence. It also helps to ease labour pains and menstrual cramps.

In my years of expertise, Vajrasana may be helpful in reducing menstrual cramps. The seated posture of Vajrasana can help improve blood flow to the pelvic area and relax the muscles, thereby easing the discomfort and pain associated with menstrual cramps.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

6. Helps to Calm Our Mind

Vajrasana is a good asana to practice meditation. Performing breathing exercises in this pose helps to calm our minds and benefits us emotionally. Vajrasana helps reduce stress, improves concentration and keeps depression and anxiety away.

7. Treatment of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Vajrasana helps to reduce stress, blood pressure levels and thus protects us from various cardiovascular disorders^[1].

From my personal observations, Vajrasana, a yoga pose, may be beneficial for conditions such as dilated veins of the testicles and hydrocele in men. It is believed that the seated position of Vajrasana helps improve blood circulation and reduce swelling in the affected areas.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

8. Improves Sleep

Performing Vajrasana calms us and helps reduce stress and anxiety. It thus helps us in getting a good sleep.

9. Reduces Obesity

Vajrasana boosts our digestion and helps to reduce belly fat. It is found to be effective in reducing BMI (Body Mass Index) and Obesity.

How to Perform Vajrasana?

• Start with the kneeling down position. You can sit on a yoga mat for comfort.
• Then, gently sit back on your legs, taking the weight off your knees.
• Keep a gap of four fingers between the knees and sit erect with your buttocks resting on your heels. The thighs of both legs should rest on both the calves respectively, and the big toes of both feet should touch each other.
• Place your hands on your knees, keep your back straight, and look straight with your gaze forward, head straight, and chin parallel to the ground.
• Concentrate on your breathing as you slowly inhale and exhale air, in and out of your lungs.
• Try to remain in this position for 5 to 10 minutes. You can gradually increase the time to around 30 minutes per day^[3].

Precautions and Contraindications

• Avoid performing vajrasana if you are suffering from knee pain due to any underlying medical condition or have recently undergone knee surgery.
• Pregnant women can perform vajrasana, but they should keep a larger gap between their knees, so as to avoid putting pressure on their abdomen.
• People with hernia and problems related to the intestines should perform vajrasana only under the guidance of an expert yoga instructor.
• People with problems related to the back, like disc prolapse (slipped disc), should avoid performing this asana.
• People with stiffness or any other problem of the foot, ankle and knees should avoid performing vajrasana.

Conclusion

Vajrasana has many other benefits, like the fact that food gets digested easily when you sit in this pose after a meal. This is because it reduces blood circulation to your lower body below the waist and increases blood circulation in your gut. Moreover, vajrasana is also considered the starting pose for several other important yoga asanas like Gomukhasana, Ustrasana, and Shishuasana. However, the reason vajrasana is favoured by many is that it is not just a part of other yoga asanas but a simple and relaxing way to sit as well. You should also remember that in case you have any knee, spinal cord injuries or intestines, you should refrain from doing this pose.

References

1. Naragatti S. The influence of Vajrasana (Thunderbolt Pose) on an individual. [Internet]. ResearchGate; 2023 [cited 2025 Apr 7]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373976109_THE_INFLUENCE_OF_VAJRASANA_THUNDERBOLT_POSE_ON_AN_INDIVIDUAL_Original_Research_Paper_Siddappa_Naragatti
2. Raveendran AV, Deshpandae A, Joshi SR. Therapeutic role of yoga in type 2 diabetes. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2018 Sep;33(3):307–17. doi: 10.3803/EnM.2018.33.3.307. Epub 2018 Aug 14. PMID: 30112866; PMCID: PMC6145966. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6145966/
3. The Yoga Institute. Vajrasana – The Adamant Posture [Internet]. Mumbai: The Yoga Institute; [cited 2025 Apr 7]. Available from: https://theyogainstitute.org/how-to-do-vajrasan

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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