Book Recommendation: - THE POSTURE OF MEDITATION

[Tai Do]

Hi Kelly,
I also deal with upper and middle back pain while sitting. What I noticed is that other factor play a key role in my back pain: the mattress and pillows I use to sleep, the chairs and sofas I sit during the day, my general posture at work and at home, the amount of weight I carry during the day, the presence or absence of exercise in my daily routine and the like.
I found that a higher zafu helps, but when the pain is hard, I prefer to sit on a char, despite my perfectionism demanding a zafu sitting (just my ego/self anyway) —
hope I can be of help to you.
Gassho,
Mateus
Sat/LAH

[Kotei]

...
Any other opinions out there?
...

Maybe try to tie a belt around the Zafu, keeping it a bit more together. Just for a test.

It may be the camera angle, but it looks like you may be leaning a bit too much forward?
Of course, every body is unique, but mine needs to be carefully balanced nearly completely upright ("allowing", not "forcing") shoulders far enough back.
If I don't do that and the muscles have to hold too much weight, I am experiencing pain in the area, you describe.

Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today

[Chikyou]

Thanks everyone! I ordered more buckwheat and I'm going to try filling my zafu a little more first.

I do notice that I'm leaning a bit forward but I feel like I have to - raising the height of my zafu might fix that.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

[Ryumon]

One thing that I have done in the past is put a large book under the zafu on the rear side. You put the book about halfway, and that tilts does the zafu up toward the front.


Gassho,
Ryūmon (Kirk)
Sat

[Chikyou]

I've been experimenting over the past couple days with raising my zafu with blankets - that made everything worse. My box of buckwheat hulls arrives tomorrow, I'll try refilling it a bit (if not, my pillow could use some anyway).

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

[Bion]

I've been experimenting over the past couple days with raising my zafu with blankets - that made everything worse. My box of buckwheat hulls arrives tomorrow, I'll try refilling it a bit (if not, my pillow could use some anyway).

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

Do you sit in burmese?

[emoji1374] Sat Today

[Chikyou]

Do you sit in burmese?

[emoji1374] Sat Today

Yes I do. I can't manage lotus. I can manage half lotus on a good day.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

[Bion]

Book Recommendation: - THE POSTURE OF MEDITATION

Yes I do. I can't manage lotus. I can manage half lotus on a good day.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

Ok. I struggle with burmese when I try it cause it’s uncomfortable, but you can try tiny variations of that posture that might help with your back issue. Instead of placing both legs / feet on the floor try resting one slightly on top of the other (see attached picture). That might help give support to your back.
Also, before even sitting on the zafu, angle it (see attached picture) so that when you sit, your knees will naturally rest on the floor.
I don’t know whether it will help at all, but, It’s all the “advice” I can give at this point.

Sorry for going over the 3 sentences!







[emoji1374] Sat Today

[Kaye]

Good morning and I sat today.

Can someone speak to the use of the seiza bench for sitting? I tried it for a few weeks and my left knee went out as well as having back and shoulder pain. These are ongoing issues from previous martial arts practice. I have tried various positions on the mat and am back in the chair again. I have placed a folding screen in front of me, around the chair, to mimic the wall and focus on that. I suppose I could turn the chair around to the actual wall. Thoughts and responses appreciated. Gassho
Kaye

[Tai Do]

Good morning and I sat today.

Can someone speak to the use of the seiza bench for sitting? I tried it for a few weeks and my left knee went out as well as having back and shoulder pain. These are ongoing issues from previous martial arts practice. I have tried various positions on the mat and am back in the chair again. I have placed a folding screen in front of me, around the chair, to mimic the wall and focus on that. I suppose I could turn the chair around to the actual wall. Thoughts and responses appreciated. Gassho
Kaye

I can’t speak about seiza bench, because I never sat in one. But I generally turn the chair to the wall e sit. Putting the zafu on your back can help with chair sitting.
Gassho,
Mateus
Sat/LAH

[Chikyou]

Bion that foot position looks really comfy!

Kaye I have a seiza bench and my feet will immediately fall asleep. I gave up on it quickly.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

[Bion]

Book Recommendation: - THE POSTURE OF MEDITATION

Bion that foot position looks really comfy!

Kaye I have a seiza bench and my feet will immediately fall asleep. I gave up on it quickly.

Gassho,
SatLah
Kelly

It is comfy! It might help give support to the back and get rid of some of that tension that causes you pain. Also, before actually sitting, allow your body to find its place and gravity center naturally, by swaying left and right and in a circle, beginning with ample circles and going smaller and smaller until you’re naturally settled and still. Like the example in this video, starting at minute 8 : 11 . OF COURSE: That’s if you don’t already do it! [emoji1]

https://youtu.be/BAFX5htccDQ

[emoji1374] Sat Today

[Jundo]

... I have placed a folding screen in front of me, around the chair, to mimic the wall and focus on that. I suppose I could turn the chair around to the actual wall. Thoughts and responses appreciated. Gassho
Kaye

Whether it is the screen or wall, remember that we are not "focusing" on it. It is just there, what happens to be in our line of vision, not something we pay particular attention to or cling to. Our vision just lightly, naturally, is just seeing in a natural, relaxed manner ... much as we do not focus on any one thing while driving a car, but just relax and see what's ahead.

The reason we face the wall in Soto (or some just look down at the open floor), is much the same as why the eyes are partially open, not closed. We may be reducing sensory stimulation during Zazen time, but we neither are shutting out the world nor running towards it. (This part, however, is different from driving a car, where I DO NOT encourage driving with eyes 1/3 open! )

And as to the Seiza bench, very comfortable for many people. (I have only heard complaint from a fellow who had knee issues, and was putting weight on the knees). It is possible to make one if someone has minimum carpentry skills with wood and drill (but make sure it is sturdy!). Worth a try for someone who is perpetually uncomfortable on the Zafu.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Ryumon]

And as to the Seiza bench, very comfortable for many people. (I have only heard complaint from a fellow who had knee issues, and was putting weight on the knees). It is possible to make one if someone has minimum carpentry skills with wood and drill (but make sure it is sturdy!). Worth a try for someone who is perpetually uncomfortable on the Zafu.

I get cramps in my feet when I sit on a seiza; I've heard others say they get them as well. And, yes, it can be hard on the knees. But it's certainly worth trying out.

Gassho,

Ryūmon (Kirk)

sat

[Meiun]

I've also suffered from pain in my upper back between my shoulder blades when trying to sit in any kind of position where my legs are crossed, I'm just very inflexible!

I've accepted my own situation and I now use a bench I made, as Jundo says, very little carpentry skill involved. The most complex part was cutting the legs to an angle, around 10° seems to work best for me.... and not even any screws, I just used some good wood glue [emoji1303]

Gassho [emoji1317]

Sat today