Foot/Leg numbness

[usuallymatt]

I've been sitting burmese style for the past couple years and on and off I experience lower leg/foot numbness with my outside leg. I've experimented by adjusting my posture here and there. Moving further back on the cushion or more towards the front, even trying a taller cushion to see if cushion height had any impact but to no avail. It usually becomes quite noticeable and distracting by about 15-20 minutes into a sit and sometimes I'll alternate legs. Maybe it's my height. I'm 5'4".

I know this might difficult to trouble shoot over a forum but if anyone has any suggestions or if it was possible to meet with a teacher over zoom sometime to figure it out then that would be awesome.
Many thanks!

[Bion]

I've been sitting burmese style for the past couple years and on and off I experience lower leg/foot numbness with my outside leg. I've experimented by adjusting my posture here and there. Moving further back on the cushion or more towards the front, even trying a taller cushion to see if cushion height had any impact but to no avail. It usually becomes quite noticeable and distracting by about 15-20 minutes into a sit and sometimes I'll alternate legs. Maybe it's my height. I'm 5'4".

I know this might difficult to trouble shoot over a forum but if anyone has any suggestions or if it was possible to meet with a teacher over zoom sometime to figure it out then that would be awesome.
Many thanks!

I am no teacher, just a simple monk, but I might be able to help out. Maybe come back to sit tomorrow and either before or after the sit we can look at that! [emoji3526]

Gassho ( sat today and lent a hand as well lah)

[usuallymatt]

Sounds good, thanks! I should be available for the same time. If not my work schedule will mean I won't make one your sits again until next week. Whenever our paths cross again I'd be most grateful for any advice.

[Bion]

Sounds good, thanks! I should be available for the same time. If not my work schedule will mean I won't make one your sits again until next week. Whenever our paths cross again I'd be most grateful for any advice.

Alternatively, you can always just send me a PM and we can arrange something that works for you. Whatever you prefer [emoji3526]

Gassho
( today I sat some and lah some )

[Jundo]

I am sure that Bion can help.

Just in case, some information on the likely cause: pressing on the sciatic nerve. Something is pressing on it. You will also find other advice from folks in this thread:

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?16924-Numb-Legs&p=240015&viewfull=1#post240015

(and there are a few others around): https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/sear...archid=1583884

The hardness or softness of the Zafu could be a factor.

It is okay during Zazen to shift your weight for awhile from both butt cheeks to the other (taking the weight off the offending cheek ) until the numbness vanishes.

Gassho, J

stlah

[WorkerB]

Hi Usuallymatt,

Hopefully Bion can help you get a better sitting situation, but if you end up looking into a different zafu, the Moonleap setup took care of my similar problems. It’s kinda spendy. Since it gets more use than my car, it was worth saving up for. Take good care! https://moonleap.com/

Gassho,
b.

st

[Guest]

I've been sitting burmese style for the past couple years and on and off I experience lower leg/foot numbness with my outside leg. I've experimented by adjusting my posture here and there. Moving further back on the cushion or more towards the front, even trying a taller cushion to see if cushion height had any impact but to no avail. It usually becomes quite noticeable and distracting by about 15-20 minutes into a sit and sometimes I'll alternate legs. Maybe it's my height. I'm 5'4".

I know this might difficult to trouble shoot over a forum but if anyone has any suggestions or if it was possible to meet with a teacher over zoom sometime to figure it out then that would be awesome.
Many thanks!

Hi Usuallymatt,

Please take what I say with a grain of salt. I am not a teacher but rather just a monk in training trying to find my way. In my experience, putting the cushion too far under the buttocks can cause this. The cushion being right under the sit bones and tilted upwards to help keep you forward will help. Too much pressure on the nerves further down from your sit bones can cause this. However, that being said...even when you set yourself up as best you can in a sitting posture, numbness can still happen. I remember one time with my teacher when I was explaining what was going on with foot and leg numbness and how frustrated I was getting, she just laughed and said, "Daiman, you are getting angry at your legs and feet for what they do. Do your best to sit in a way that supports your practice, but do not give yourself a hard time about it when your body does what it does."

Others on this thread have shared great insight that I hope will guide you and Bion can help you with this if you are sitting with him. I hope my little grain of salt can be of help in this situation. I have been at this for a while and I will say that from time to time the feet and legs still fall asleep. It just happens.

Gassho,
Daiman
St/LAH

[Nengei]

I also suggest keeping a chair in your Zendo, that you can move onto if needed. It is still 100%, exactly, fulfilled Zazen. I find that second, third... etc. sitting periods bring this on faster. When I sit in a chair, I like a basic wooden chair and put a zafu on the seat, which gives my hips and spines the "correct" position and makes it easier to sit upright.

Gassho,
Nengei
Sat today. LAH.

[Jundo]

I also suggest keeping a chair in your Zendo, that you can move onto if needed. It is still 100%, exactly, fulfilled Zazen. I find that second, third... etc. sitting periods bring this on faster. When I sit in a chair, I like a basic wooden chair and put a zafu on the seat, which gives my hips and spines the "correct" position and makes it easier to sit upright.

Gassho,
Nengei
Sat today. LAH.

Or the Zafu can rest at the back for support. Seiza on a Seiza bench or a sideways Zafu is good too.

Gassho, J

stlah

[Tairin]

Hi Usuallymatt,

Hopefully Bion can help you get a better sitting situation, but if you end up looking into a different zafu, the Moonleap setup took care of my similar problems. It’s kinda spendy. Since it gets more use than my car, it was worth saving up for. Take good care! https://moonleap.com/

Gassho,
b.

st

Holy Moly! Those are quite something. I am glad it works for you.



Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Naiko]

I hope Bion’s assistance or some of the tips here can help you. I went through a time last year when I had some nerve impingement, and every time I sat, my right leg, felt like it was engulfed in flames. It was really painful. Using pointers from the Posture of Meditation book and trying a couple of different zafus, I rebuilt my practice, sitting in five minute increments until I could sit with reasonable comfort, which does sometimes include a little numbness. I found I needed a crescent shaped cushion stuffed with kapok instead of buckwheat hulls. Good luck! (Sorry to run long.)
Gassho,
Naiko

[Jundo]

I hope Bion’s assistance or some of the tips here can help you. I went through a time last year when I had some nerve impingement, and every time I sat, my right leg, felt like it was engulfed in flames. It was really painful. Using pointers from the Posture of Meditation book and trying a couple of different zafus, I rebuilt my practice, sitting in five minute increments until I could sit with reasonable comfort, which does sometimes include a little numbness. I found I needed a crescent shaped cushion stuffed with kapok instead of buckwheat hulls. Good luck! (Sorry to run long.)
Gassho,
Naiko

Oh, yes, the Posture of Meditation book which we highly recommend around here:

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?6913-Book-Recommendation-THE-POSTURE-OF-MEDITATION

Gassho, J

stlah

[usuallymatt]

Thanks all the suggestions. Bion was generous to give up some of his time to help me and I came away with some great advice and tips which I've put into practice and they've helped so much already. I'm blown away by all the help and advice here.
Thanks everyone!

Gassho!

[Jundo]

Thanks all the suggestions. Bion was generous to give up some of his time to help me and I came away with some great advice and tips which I've put into practice and they've helped so much already. I'm blown away by all the help and advice here.
Thanks everyone!

Gassho!

I am glad that Bion could help, Matt.

Matt, may I ask a favor? When you get a chance, would you add a human face photo to accompany your posts? It helps us keep things human around here.

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?12837-Often-Asked-How-to-Add-an-Avatar-Photo

Thank you. Let's us look each other in the eyes more. For some strange reasons, the software designers made the avatar and profile pictures separate. Also, would you mind to sign a human name (like Bob or Mary, if you don't wish to use your actual name), as it also makes things a bit more human (some folks use a Dharma Name, but I don't think you have one yet)? Also, SatToday!

Thank you! We really don't have many rules around here beyond that, but we do request those.

SatToday - Make sure you have SAT before joining in forum CHAT!

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?12995-SatToday-Make-sure-you-have-SAT-before-joining-in-forum-CHAT%21

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

[usuallymatt]

I will find an appropriate photo very soon.

Gassho, Matt
Sat today!