Can't Sit Comfortably.. Help!

For as long as I can remember, my right leg has been incredibly stiff compared to my left leg. When I try to sit for meditation now, the only position I can sit comfortably in is quarter lotus with my left leg on lop. If I try to switch it up and put my right leg on top, it is way too stiff and never touches the ground. I hear that it is bad for your back to not switch it up.

Problems - Half lotus - same problem. I don't feel stable enough sitting in a chair or kneeling. Burmese - can never figure out, and I think my legs are too long because my heels always jam into my privates . I like the quarter lotus but am not physically able to switch up my legs to work both sides of my body.

I have tried stretching my right leg for weeks but it remains very stiff and won't touch the ground when I sit to meditate. What can I do? This is very annoying and painful.

 

hey.. yoga and porn aught to be thought of the same. ?you see people in porn do some wild stuff and you try and replicate and can not..
you do whats comfortable. Because this looks like that in a picture and video dont mean it is suitable for everyone....

If you have to, you prop a tiny pillow or even a rolled towel under your butt so you are level.. This is not cheating .. Its being WISE...

 

I do use two pillows to sit on. I can't sit on the floor alone without pain in my upper right leg. I'm just wondering if my back will get messed up if I don't ever switch up the quarter lotus? I know my back is straight in that position, and there is reallly only that one position (left leg on top) that works for me.

 

do you feel any popping in spine when you push out your chest and breath while in the any lotus? ..
burmese position, hows that for you...

how long have you been doing yoga, or any other exercise for the matter..
sure you just not used to the stretching .
leg ligiment tend to contract very fast if they are not used. So if your lifestyle has been sitting in chair for some time, The bends of the knees, calf, thighs are all going to be tight.. Its important to stretch prior.. have you been?

 

I don't feel any popping, my back feels fine and straight. I can't understand Burmese, I think my legs are too long or my feet are too big, plus the right leg tightness prevents my leg from laying flat. I have been stretching for a couple weeks, and so far there has been no improvement. The pain is in my right upper thigh and the back of my knees.

 

The thing about meditation is you are basically trying to submerse yourself into a state of relaxation. These complicated positions obviously aren't doing it for you given your physical circumstances, it sounds like you should just stick with what works with you, and not worry about the ones you can't perform. Ultimately that's not what your concern should be about with the meditation. If it's causing annoyance and pain just do the other position.... that's not what your looking for in meditation. Lol. If you're dead set on trying to do attempt these other positions, maybe (yoga even) stretching could relax the stiffness and pains amongst your body.

 

Just sit in a chair for heaven's sake!

The only important part of your posture in meditation is a straight and upright spine.

Seriously, just use a chair with an upright back that is comfortable.

 

I think you should sit comfortable and alert and stable also. There is something to be said for duplicating the sitting method of generations of mediators. Others may disagree, but I think it is tradition, a method that has been proven to work, but not the method. There are prayer benches and different ways to use the zafus (cushions), supine positions, and sitting on the edge of a chair.
I have never had confirmation, but once I read that when the next Buddha is pictured, he/she is often using a chair instead of a traditional position.

 

i was gonna say chair, posture chairs are cool. basically you support your back with your knees and buttock. ..

 

I have tried many times to use a chair. The lack of stablility bothers me, my body subconsciously sways and my legs move around. I would like to use a kneeling stool or bench, I just need to get some cash

 

That sounds more like a psychological problem than a physical one. But nontheless, have you tried sitting on a couple of pillows (a cheap alternative to a zafu)? I'm sure you can find something that's about 6'wide x 4' tall x 6' long to sit on. Bricks, wood, foam, etc. Place it against a wall, sit on it cross legged, and there you go.

 

Yeah, sitting in a chair is a psychological problem for me. The lack of stability makes my body move ever so slightly, and when my body moves I get pulled out of my concentration.

Your idea is to sit regular cross-legged, but up higher? I will try it.

Update: I just tried it. Slightly less stability than sitting nearer the ground but it works! My back is straight without pain! Thanks. I will however continue stretching so maybe someday I can try full lotus.

 

A mediation stool is nice. You can sit with the legs folded under and it raises your pelvis up allowing your knees to reach the ground. If your pelvis is on the ground your knees are often in the air. Sitting on a meditation stool in the lotus is also possible. Look at meditation stools and any woodworker can knock a basic one up with two lumps of wood. Beware splinters!

Because the pelvis is anterior tilted (falling forward) your spine is held in alignment (similar to moolabandha and uddiyanabandha locks). Just open your chest using pectoralis minor, drop your shoulders back and together (Trapezius and Rhomboids) tuck your neck in (Jalandahara bandha) and breath.


The bit of wood that touches the ground is set to an angle to tilt pelvis forward.

If you use a household chair and find stability problems try a wedge under your bottom to tilt the pelvis forward (could use a fall-off cushion). The sauna at my local pool has a lovely wooden wedge to rest your back on. Far better when I put my bum on it. Again make a wood wedge out of scraps. Angle of tilt depends on your personal preference.

 

One Of The Most Important Factors When You Learn How To Meditate Is To Find Comfortable Meditation Positions In Which You Can Remain For Long Periods Of Time. Since You Want To Clear Your Mind Of All Distractions When You Meditate, You Will Need To Find Positions That Are Comfortable, Yet Not So Comfortable That You Might Fall Asleep. This Is Why You Don't Want To Meditate While Lying Down. After All, You Don't Want To Waste Your Meditation Time Sleeping.
Listed Here Are Two Very Popular Meditation Positions Taught By Most Meditation Guides. You May Want To Try These Poses On A Rug, Blanket, Or Piece Of Silk Rather Than Hard Floor. Feel Free To Use Meditation Pillows To Prop You Up Or Help You Maintain The Proper Position. Check Out Each Of The Following Poses And See If Any Of Them Are Comfortable Enough For You.
Lotus Position
Lotus Position Is Essentially Sitting Cross-Legged With Your Right Foot Gently Resting On Your Left Inner Thigh, Heel Facing The Groin, And Your Left Foot Either Resting On Your Right Inner Thigh Or On The Ground. You Will Want To Sit Up Straight, Let Your Shoulder Blades Slide Down Your Back And Rest Your Hands Or Elbows On Your Knees. Many People Find This Position Difficult To Maintain At First, But With Daily Practice You Will Become More Flexible And Will Be Able To Hold The Position Comfortably For Long Periods Of Time.

Seiza Position
Kneel On The Floor With Your Feet Pointing Behind You. Let Your Buttocks Sink Gently Onto Your Feet For Balance. Adjust Until You Find A Way To Sit Without Cutting Off The Circulation To Your Legs.
If Neither Of These Two Positions Is Comfortable Enough For You, Consider Using A Meditation Chair. This Can Be Any Chair In Your House That Allows You To Sit With A Straight Back And Feet Touching The Floor, With Your Knees Bent At Approximately A 90 Degree Angle.
No Matter What Position You Choose, Make Sure To Be In A Quiet Room With Plenty Of Fresh Air. It's Best If The Room Is Slightly Cool, As This Will Help You Stay Alert.

 

Have you ever tried to meditate lying on the floor?