History Main / LevitatingLotusPosition

For bonus points, they may chant "ohm", a real life [[UsefulNotes/{{Hinduism}} Hindu]] and [[UsefulNotes/{{Buddhism}} Buddhist]] ''mantra''. It's usual too to keep the hands in a mystic gesture, called ''mudra'' (usually the ''chin mudra'', with the index fingers touching the thumbs, or alternatively ''shunya mudra'', with the middle fingers instead).

* There's a video on the official web site of Franchise/TheMuppets showing what the character Animal does on his days off. One of the things he does is meditate in the levitating lotus position. The video also includes the "Ohm..." element: Animal's meditation chant is "Wooooomaaaaan..."

[[caption-width-right:330:Ohmmmmmmmmmmmmm...]]

* Raven from ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003''. In the one instance she is showing doing so, Starfire is also capable of sitting lotus and floating. {{Justified|Trope}}: both Raven and Starfire can fly. (Though, GenkiGirl that Starfire is, it was unlikely she fit the "calm, serene" part of this trope.)
* Raven also does this in ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'' In fact, she rarely touches the ground at all.

* Raven from the ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' animated series. In the one instance she is showing doing so, Starfire is also capable of sitting lotus and floating. {{Justified|Trope}}: both Raven and Starfire can fly. (Though, GenkiGirl that Starfire is, it was unlikely she fit the "calm, serene" part of this trope.)

For bonus points, they may chant "ohm", a real life [[UsefulNotes/{{Hinduism}} Hindu]] and [[UsefulNotes/{{Buddhism}} Buddhist]] ''mantra''. Keeping the hands in a mystic position, called ''mudra'', is usual too.

Note that despite its name, the exact posture is not always quite a LotusPosition, as there are several other meditation postures that look superficially similar, and many authors aren't familiar enough with them to tell the difference (it also happens that achieving true lotus position or ''padmasana'' actually requires a lot of flexibility and training in real life, so an easier pose comes in handy for live-action media). The most popular variation has the character seated on a simpler cross-legged position called ''sukhasana''.

* Annapurna, a background character in ''WesternAnimation/{{Wishfart}}'' resembling a Hindu goddess, does this all the time.

* The hero of ''Film/{{Birdman}}'' is doing a lotus position in midair for his meditation practice in the opening scene.

** The member of one of the families of the map that Merlyn kills in ''ComicBook/{{Robin|Series}}'' #168 was floating sitting lotus style and meditating when the evil archer approached him.

* The HermitGuru in the AnimatedAdaptation of ''Literature/SoulMusic'' is in a levitating lotus (with, strangely, a cushion levitating underneath him). He later appears in the Flower Power pastiche, floating over the crowd. In the book it just says he's sitting under a tree (quite possibly a [[UsefulNotes/{{Buddhism}} Bodhi tree]]) with his legs crossed.

* ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'': On Titan, Doctor Strange is seen floating in the lotus position while he's using the Eye of Agamotto to peer into the different possible futures.

[[folder:Software]]

[[folder:Asian Animation]]
* Mahaguru from ''Animation/GajuBhai'' is constantly floating in the air in the lotus position.
* In the ''Animation/OyeGolu'' episode "Yoga Competition", every time Golu does the lotus position, he floats in the air. The yoga teacher sees him while he is floating in the position and is so impressed that she chooses him to compete in the international yoga competition.
[[/folder]]

*** This extends to ComicBook/{{Magik}} in an alternate reality where she is the Sorcerer Supreme.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'':
** [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Varrik]] thinks he can do this when he's first introduced, largely due to [[YesMan no-one being willing to tell him he can't]]. He responds well to Bolin's blunt honesty.
** [[spoiler:Zaheer]] manages to pull this off after [[spoiler:the death of his lover P'li severs the last of his earthly bonds and allows him to achieve the ancient airbending power of flight.]]

*** This extends to Characters/{{Magik}} in an alternate reality where she is the Sorcerer Supreme.

* ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'': The artwork for Dark Star Karma features her "meditating in the vast oceans of emptiness where there were once stars".

*** ComicBook/{{Magneto}}, during the ''Nation-X' arc, assumed this pose as he concentrated on locating the Breakworld bullet and drawing it from deep space back to Earth, in order to free ComicBook/KittyPryde from the bullet.

** ComicBook/{{Magneto}}, during the ''Nation-X' arc, assumed this pose as he concentrated on locating the Breakworld bullet and drawing it from deep space back to Earth, in order to free ComicBook/KittyPryde from the bullet.

Note that despite its name, the exact posture is not always quite a LotusPosition, as there are several other meditation postures that look superficially similar, and many authors aren't familiar enough with them to tell the difference (it also happens that achieving true lotus position or ''padmasana'' actually requires a lot of flexibility and training in real life, so an easier pose comes in handy for live action media). The most popular variation has the character seated on a simpler cross-legged position called ''sukhasana''.

Note that despite its name, the exact posture is not always quite a LotusPosition, as there are several other meditation postures that look superficially similar and authors often aren't familiar enough to tell the difference (it also happens that achieving true lotus position actually requires a lot of flexibility and training in real life, so an easier pose comes in handy). The most popular variation has the character seated on a simpler cross-legged position called ''sukhasana'' (whereas lotus position is called ''padmasana'').

[[folder: Magazines]]
* National Lampoon depicted this in one of their Foto Funnies (like a comic strip, but using captioned photographs instead of drawings.)
---> "How do you do that? Is it levitation? Telekinesis? Astral Projection? Trancendental meditation?"
---> "Nope... hemorrhoids."
[[/folder]]

* Bloom of ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'' meditates while training with Maia, in the episode ''From the Ashes". When finally earning her Enchantix, Bloom floats in the air.

** Ly in ''VideoGame/Rayman2'' does the floating variation of the LotusPosition.

Note that despite its name, the exact posture is not always quite a LotusPosition, as there are several other meditation postures that look superficially similar and authors often aren't familiar enough to tell the difference (it also happens that lotus position is actually hard to perform by untrained people in real life, so an easier pose comes in handy). The most popular variation has the character seated on a simpler cross-legged position called ''sukhasana'' (whereas lotus position is called ''padmasana'').

* Red Rock Deli's ad for their Himalayan Pink Salt chips features a climber walking on top of a cave, before it breaks and she falls in. In the cave, she finds a giant floating chip. After taking a bite, she is enlightened to the point where she can meditate like this.

Note that despite its name, the exact posture is not always a LotusPosition, as there are other similar meditation postures and authors often aren't familiar enough to tell the difference. A popular variation has the character seated on a simpler cross-legged position (which in Hindi is called ''sukhasana'', while lotus position is called ''padmasana'').

Levitating while in the LotusPosition may also be a sign that a character [[PowerFloats is powerful]] or that he or she is [[OurMonstersAreDifferent far from normal]].

They may chant "Ohm..." [[note]] Real Life Hindus and Buddhists do this. [[/note]]. If someone wakes them from their serene inner calm, they'll often spontaneously lose their floaty power, and collapse in an undignified mess on the floor.

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* In ''Manga/SazanEyes'', this is the default position for Kelarla (a CuteMonsterGirl) whenever she appears, floating above the ground.
* ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'': Ken's rage Toki's "face breaking fist of compassion" attack has him sitting in this position, floating, while using his arms to direct the waves that break his opponents face. Compassionately. The dramatic after-picture has him the same way, but arms in his lap.
* In ''Manga/FushigiYuugi'', Miboshi appears in this position. It is revealed that Miboshi has [[DemonicPossession possessed]] and overtaken a [[WouldHurtAChild young]] Buddhist monk (or monk-in-training.)
* In ''Anime/DragonBallSuper'', Jiren spends a large part of the tournament he's involved in doing this, because he doesn't consider any of the other participants worth his time.
* In episode 2 of ''Manga/{{Joshiraku}}'', while Kigurumi is having an imaginary date, Kukuru randomly floats in the air in this position, amazing the other girls. Gankyou points out that Kukuru is "floating, undisturbed, on a imaginary sea."

* Dr. Manhattan in ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' does the levitating version of the LotusPosition while creating his fortress on Mars.
* Leonard of ''ComicBook/LeonardLeGenie'' encounters an entire squadron (yes, flying in squadron formation) of Tibetan monks flying like this. One even shouts mayday because he has a leg cramp, meaning he can't get the landing gear out.

* Creator/RobertCrumb's Mr. Natural actually shows some mystical powers by levitating in the lotus position and traveling to the city that way -- of course he's tracking down disciple Flakey Foont, who owes him money.
* ''Franchise/{{Tintin}}'': ''[[Recap/TintinTintinInTibet Tintin in Tibet]]''. The monk Blessed Lightning levitates involuntarily as he's uttering a prophetic warning (and doesn't remember anything afterwards, including levitating) but does so while standing upright. [[RuleOfFunny Then he drops down on another monk's foot.]]
* ''ComicBook/BlackMoonChronicles'': The priests of the [[ReligionOfEvil Black Moon faith]] are often found floating in a lotus position when they're either meditating or accompanying their leader [[SorcerousOverlord Haazheel Thorn]]'s forces.

* Creator/DCComics:
** The member of one of the families of the map that Merlyn kills in ''ComicBook/{{Robin|Series}}'' #168 was floating sitting lotus style and meditating when the evil archer approached him.
** When Raven took Supergirl to Azareth, the priests had Supergirl meditating as she floated in the air. One of the priests says she must not be awoken during her meditation, or she "will never know peace for the rest of her life."

* In the ''Literature/RainbowMagic'' movie, Heather does this. At one point she does it upside down.

* ''Film/TheGoldenChild''. The title character's astrally projected image does this when it appears to Chandler Jarrell.

* The hero of ''Film/{{Birdman}}'' is doing a lotus position in midair for his meditation practice in the opening scene.

* ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'': On Titan, Doctor Strange is seen floating in the lotus position while he's using the Eye of Agamotto to peer into the different possible futures.
* ''Film/JennifersBody'': Near the end, Needy's shown to have the levitation ability Jennifer had by floating up from the floor of her isolation cell to the window in lotus position, after which she escapes by kicking through it.

* In the ''Literature/CallahansCrosstimeSaloon'' story "The Wonderful Conspiracy", Jake glances behind the bar and sees that Callahan is actually hovering above the floor, seated in the lotus position. It is one of the first indications that there is a lot more to Mike Callahan than meets the eye.

* This actually serves as the plot in Nerissa Marie's ''Princess Kate Meditates''. The meditation-loving Princess Kate is often found floating around the castle. Yet, one day, she ends up floating too high and out of reach of her family and friends.

* Phoebe and Paige sometimes did this on ''Series/{{Charmed|1998}}''.

* Dhalsim of ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' performs a levitation in the LotusPosition as one of his {{Victory Pose}}s, as a [[IShallTauntYou Personal Action]], and during his [[TeleportSpam Yoga Teleport]]. This even sparks his rival battle in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIV'' after he's just floating through the streets of Hong Kong like it's no big deal and [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Rufus]] comes to the conclusion that [[MistakenForAliens he's obviously an alien]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Rayman}}'':
** Ly in ''VideoGame/Rayman2'' does the floating variation of the LotusPosition.
** In ''VideoGame/RaymanOrigins'', Betilla, Holly, Edith, and Annetta all do this to open the door to Moody Clouds.
* ''Videogame/TheSims'': Meditating long enough also allows a Sim to levitate.
* ''Videogame/TheSims4'': In the Sims 4 Vampires gamepack, vampires can use dark meditation which levitates them.

* Pitfall Harry Jr. in ''VideoGame/PitfallTheMayanAdventure'' does this as his ultimate IdleAnimation, also with levitation.

* Certain [=NPCs=] in ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'' can be seen learning how to do this.
* There's a mini-game in ''VideoGame/WiiFit'' where you sit very still on the Balance Board. If you sit still enough long enough, your on-screen character starts levitating.
* This is done epically in the DLC finale of ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'' by [[spoiler:Chakravartin, sitting on top of a nebula, surrounded by galaxies, and casually throwing planets and stars at Asura as he approaches.]]

* [[ReligiousRobot Zenyatta]] of ''Videogame/{{Overwatch}}'' is always in this position, even when moving. [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane It's not clear whether the levitation is the result of his meditation and spiritual enlightenment or if it's just something he can do anyway because he's a robot]].
* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'': During the TrainingMontage where the player character learns the ways of the Jedi, one scene shows them doing this, pulling a couple of chairs into their orbit as they do.
* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'': Asura is a recurring summon and boss who often appears in the lotus position. ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyRecordKeeper'' gives the best view of her floating while in this position.
* Kalifa, a fortune teller in ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'', does this as she manipulates her crystal.
* ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'': The artwork for Dark Star Karma features her "meditating in the vast oceans of emptiness where there were once stars".

* Vaarsuvius of ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' floats in this position (or close enough for a stick-figure comic) while in a trance to regain spells. Belkar takes advantage of this once [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0334.html to play a nasty prank on V]]. V also does it [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0866.html at another time]] to calm down after a panic attack in order to FaceDeathWithDignity.

* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Tedd [[http://www.egscomics.com/egsnp.php?id=22 first appears in Grace's dream like this]] to indicate he is also a god.

* Raven from the ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' animated series. In the one instance she is showing doing so, Starfire is also capable of sitting lotus and floating. {{Justified|Trope}}: both Raven and Starfire can fly. (Though, GenkiGirl that Starfire is, it was unlikely she fit the "calm, serene" part of this trope.)
* Raven also does this in ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'' In fact, she rarely touches the ground at all.
* Shirley the Loon from ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'' does this with levitating as part of her psychic powers.
* Likewise the Wally Llama on ''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'', who tries to escape the Warners by essentially floating away like this. They then catch up to him via the same method.
** Dot also performs this for a brief moment in The Senses Song.
* Antauri in ''WesternAnimation/SuperRobotMonkeyTeamHyperforceGo'' is shown levitating in this position a couple of times, including for a brief while in the opening credits.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheMightyB'', "Dang It Feels Good to Be a Gamester", Bessie hits this sort of zone, where she becomes telekinetic but only for the final level of this video game. She does a floating lotus during this period, then gently drops back down to the floor of the Hive and comes out of the state.
* The animated ''ComicBook/SpirouAndFantasio'' has two such characters who make several appearances: One is a [[MagicalNativeAmerican Magical Aborigine]] capable of astral projection, and who must tie himself to a rock to avoid flying too high. The other is an Indian scientist who's ''always'' about a meter from the ground, possibly even when sleeping.

* In "Jack and the Monks", WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack meets a monk doing this.
* The Blue Lanterns in ''WesternAnimation/GreenLanternTheAnimatedSeries'' use this often. Warth even uses it rather than walking.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/Ben10AlienForce'' episode "Busy Box", when Gwen tries to calm down the Naljian Destructor, she sits in the air and begins meditation, inviting the Destructor to meditate with her.

* In ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'''s finale, during the final montage, Huntress Wizard does this very high in the sky.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'', Timmy pulls this off when he's fooling his parents into thinking he's been responsible alone.

->''"I finally came upon the sage floating cross-legged in the air with no visible means of support, [[{{Pun}} for he had no need of a job]]."''