Leg falling asleep in any position

[ArtificialFox]

Good evening,

I have one leg that falls asleep whenever I sit still and gradually it gets rather painful. On a chair or on the zafu, doesn't really matter. Usually within 10-15 minutes it starts. It is caused by post-thrombotic syndrome and hindering my practice. I could lay down but this doesn't work for me either because I fall asleep easily (which is of course a great blessing in general!). What I do now is: I sit Burmese style and when the numbness and the pain starts I stick the leg out for a while. It is not ideal but the best I can do. Does anyone have some advise, things I can try that I didn't think of?

Sorry for the long story, tried to keep it as short as I could. I hope you all have a blessed day.

Gassho from The Netherlands,
Judith
(satlah)

[Jundo]

Hi Judith,

We have had some threads on the legs "falling asleep" (usually pressure on the sciatic nerve rather than actually cutting off the circulation) ... Here is what I usually say ...

https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/treeleaf/treeleaf-community-topics-about-zen-practice/archive-of-older-threads/8048-pins-and-needles?p=213723#post213723

However, your case sounds more serious. Still, the basic rule for these things is that you need to learn your own body, and just try things to see what works. For example, chair sitting with different kinds of cushions? Doing Kinhin walking meditation every 10 minutes, walk 5 to 10 minutes, then return to sitting? Shift legs every 10 minutes? Quasi-reclining (e.g., some kind of legs raised posture?) Bigger Zafu? All of the above?? Our philosophy here is that every body is different, and if you can find some postures (because often more than one) that lets you sit or recline feeling reasonable balanced, stable, comfortable, then that is a good posture.
Also, consult with your doctor if any medical concerns. Never do anything that risks injury.

I tell that old joke ... Buddha goes to a doctor and says, "Doctor, it hurts when I do this."

Doctor says, "Well, don't do that."

Maybe some other folks here will have some more tips.

Gassho, Jundo
stlah

[Chikyou]

Have you tried seiza (kneeling)? I have an extra tall zafu and sit seiza with my feet hanging off the back of my zabuton. It’s the most comfortable upright seated position ever for me! (To test it out you can turn a regular zafu sideways).

Gassho,
SatLah,
Chikyō

[ArtificialFox]

Dear all,

Guys I solved it! The solution was sitting on either a thick zabuton or simply a bed and not use a zafu. Merely sitting on hard floor does not work, apparently my bum has to be slightly lower then my legs. Which is not how it us "supposed" to be done but hey, if it works it works right? I thought I might share it in case someone ever has the same issue.

Peace be with you, gassho,

Judith
(sat/lah)

[Junsho]

Hi Judith,
I’m glad to hear that you solved the problem. In my case, it took me some time to find a sitting position that didn’t cause any issues, although sometimes my leg still goes numb.

Some people struggle with flexibility, while others have knee problems, or even a combination of both. After a few years, I realized that the only position that doesn’t cause me pain is sitting in the Burmese position, with my right leg in front of my left. If I switch it around, my knee starts to hurt significantly.

My advice is that if the pain returns, experiment with different positions until you find one that makes your body feel stable and comfortable.

Gassho!
Satlah

[ArtificialFox]

Hi Junsho,

Yes this also helps me a lot. The Burmese position with my left leg in front is way better than the other way around.

Peace be with you, gassho,

Judith
(sat/lah)