Sitting zazen in a chair

[Guest]

I may have to start sitting zazen in a chair. My massage therapist recommended this as I have chronic lower back problems that I am always having to manage. She said half lotus is too hard on my sacrum, Burmese was ok, chair is best. Since I spend so much time sitting, I'm thinking the chair is the way to go.

My question is, does anyone else at Treeleaf consistently sit in a chair? Has it affected your zazen at all? What, if any, are your experiences with back problems and sitting Burmese and/or in a chair?

(I find Burmese a bit hard, 15 min. is ok, but anything after that and it starts to hurt my back)

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today

[Hotetsu]

I have scoliosis and have to use a chair on occassion when my back is in pain. I manage to do half lotus most of the time, but use a chair when the need dictates.

Gassho

#SatToday

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[Cumminjd]

I have a problem with ligaments in my knee which prevents me from siting cross legged so I too use a chair! I however sit on the end so my back does not touch the chair. This helps me not get "too comfortable"

Gassho
James
SatToday


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[Roland]

There are many kinds of chairs and sitting furniture: for instance there are saddle chairs and sit balls. Maybe one of those is well suited for meditation?

Gassho

Roland
#SatToday

[Jishin]

Hi,

I have several zafus off different shapes and heights and several seiza benches also. All in the hope of finding the magical sweet spot where there is no pain. No such luck. I use one for a few days then something hurts then I move to something else. I given up on the idea of lotus, half lotus or Burmese. The best I can do is Indian style with pillows supporting each knee or seiza. And anyone who disagrees with the way I sit can...



Gasho, Jishin

#Sat2day seiza with itzy bitzy neck pain, pretty good for a 48 year dude

[Joyo]

I understand that, I sit Burmese on my bed often, with pillows supporting my back. I know this is not the traditional way, but it works. And it's better than lying down, which I find very hard to do as it puts me into zzzzzzazen.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today

[Mp]

Hello Joyo,

Nothing wrong with sitting in a chair if the body is not allowing you to sit on your zafu. Be gentle to yourself. =)

Gassho
Shingen

#sattoday

[Tai Shi]

Hi

I do sit in a chair. I use a wedge shaped cushion designed for sitting in a chair, a wedge thicker in front than back. This allows me to practice "just sitting," Shikantaza without undue attention to my bone disease.

Elgwyn
sat today
Gassho

[Jakugan]

I've had knee problems the last few weeks and had to sit in a chair. I think I prefer to sit cross legged but I have got used to it & don't find that sitting that way would have a negative effect.

gassho,

Simon

sat today

[Jundo]

A balanced, stable, comfortable position is a balanced, stable, comfortable position. Don't overly fetishize sitting cross legged. (more on that here) ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13377-Me-and-my-posture-variations-during-Zazen-help-needed&p=152636&viewfull=1#post152636

and

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?11553-Need-Tips-to-sit-in-Full-Lotus-Hand-Mudra-question&p=113821&viewfull=1#post113821

That being said, I personally like to sit in the Lotus because I find it, in my case, a balanced, stable, comfortable position. Johnson's fine book recommends finding the (ever changing) right position(s) for you, and that can include a chair ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?6913-Book-Recommendation-THE-POSTURE-OF-MEDITATION&p=31651&viewfull=1#post31651

Our introductory "How To Sit" guide includes pointers on chair sitting ...

https://sites.google.com/site/jundotreeleaf/TreeleafBasicZazenInstructions.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1

Gassho, J

SatToday (Burmese)

[GregJanL]

Joyo,

I neither own a zafu nor do I attempt lotus or burmese since it puts too much stress on my knees these days. I use a camp chair with a foldable desk attached to it for some tea. I've been to a few formal sitting sessions and there was always the chair option open.

The biggest thing I found stressed about the functional aspects of good physical posture is making sure you have your back straight with or without the support of a back piece on a chair for one reason, maintaining good airflow, having plenty of space for your diaphragm to do its job allowing unobstructed breathing. It's why 'comfortable, loose fitting clothing' always crops up too, it isn't to fuel attachment to comfort (which is why I suspect some get very sticky on the classic postures) but the necessity to maintain good breathing.

I take it as the middle way between indulgence and deprivation while sitting, making sure the function is being done correctly so you don't hurt yourself or fall asleep from a awkward posture.

I hope this helps you work out the kinks.

Metta,
Greg

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[Rich]

Over the years have sat every which way due to knee, back and neck injuries. Right now a hybrid Burmese half lotus feels best.
The secret to lying zazen is to keep the body cold and the head warm.

SAT today

[Joyo]

Thank you everyone. I've experimented with different ways of sitting this weekend. My back injury isn't something that is going to go away. It's chronic, and therefore, I've got to find thing(s) that work long-term. This thread has given me a lot of ideas and things to try.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today

[Yugen]

For anything beyond two hours or so I am migrating to a seated position as well. My knees and back hurt too much. I find a simple shaker style chair to work well.

As has been so wonderfully said here, a comfortable stable position is a comfortable stable position.

Deep bows
Yugen


sat2day

[Joyo]

For anything beyond two hours or so


sat2day

Wow, I am in awe!! I can't sit longer than about 15 min. on the cushion. Then again, I carried a 9 lb, 3 oz baby, and had 37 hrs of back labour before having an emergency c-section.....I'm guessing you've probably never had to go through that.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today