Lotus Position

[chicanobudista]

Re: Lotus Position

"AnShin. How should we sit?" He told us what I have found out from other teachers, lotus is good, but....find your sweet spot.

This rings true... and I think my sweet spot, for the moment, is Burmese. It makes me feel taller. Lotus will probably feel much better when I get a "real" zafu.

And before I get my hand zen slapped :mrgreen: , by sweet spot (I am a former high school tennis player) I don't mean finding a perfect or pleasurable or that it will always be good position forever. There will be always be a level of discomfort when one sits for a while. But. If the pain is getting to the point of distraction or worse, then it's time to change. :wink:

[Shinko]

Re: Lotus Position

There will be always be a level of discomfort when one sits for a while. But. If the pain is getting to the point of distraction or worse, then it's time to change. :wink:

For me its between the shoulder blades.. a burning sensation. :wink:

[mhoke46375]

no way so its very zen like

I understand some of the reasons for the lotus position but at 57 with an arthritic knee its not going to happen its the way but no way! so zen like.

The alternatives are my chair and sitting, my stool in the sky position ankles crosses left over right or right over left. of on the floor "Indiana" style and by that i mean the American natives. If its Western Buddhism that seems to be appropriate.

I use what works I open around the idea that I am not that limber.

[mhoke46375]

woa

ok typing that early in the morning never a good thing .

I mean "indian" style of course. I guess the thing is the position matters only to the extent its the best effort.

[Amelia]

Re: Lotus Position

Hahah! "Indiana Style."

That one sounds kind of sexy...

Gassho, and good morning to you!

[Shinko]

Re: Lotus Position

ok.. i finally found an example of how I sit.. please excuse her shiny little face and fancy dress! She is a tad older than I am so I guess she has arthritic knees too :lol:

Attached files

[Bonsai Doug]

Re: Lotus Position

Because of knee and hip problems, the best I can do is Burmese...

[Jundo]

Re: Lotus Position

Because of knee and hip problems, the best I can do is Burmese...

Burmese is fine around here. I alternate between Burmese, Half-Lotus and Full-Lotus. My 50 year old knees protest at Full Lotus now.

Be sure to check out Taigu's several posts on sitting posture in our 'Beginner's' Series ...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=447

Also, this book recommendation ...

viewtopic.php?p=30208#p30208

Gassho, Jundo

[Bonsai Doug]

Re: Lotus Position

Thank you Jundo. I have a friend who swears by his kneeling bench, but as yet I have not tried one.

[Onshin]

Re: Lotus Position

Hello Doug,
I used a kneeling bench for years as it was the best thing for keeping the back straight, but now I have arthritis I have had to stop using it as it hurts to settle down on it with full weight of the body pulling on the knees. So I would suggest you borrow one from somewhere for a while before buying, just in case you have the same problem. I do suspect, however, that if it was higher so the knees were bent less it might be slightly better.

Gassho


Joe
(a founding member of the Treeleaf wonky-knee club)

[Bonsai Doug]

Re: Lotus Position

Joe
(a founding member of the Treeleaf wonky-knee club)

That sounds like a sub-forum I need to subscribe to! :wink:

[ghop]

Re: Lotus Position

Hi Amelia.

Sit in the space that has no body.

Then rise and be the body that contains all space.

gassho

Greg

[Rich]

Re: Lotus Position

When my knee bothers me, I sit in a chair or stand.

/Rich