lotus

[Guest guest]

Hi Brian,

 

> I have been trying to stretch out enough to do lotus posture, but this

pose is still too difficult for me. Lesson 7 on the navel center (in KY

Online site) has been a big help because I experience much resistance in the

life nerve/ sciatic nerve, all along the leg muscles. If someone would be

kind enough to make a suggestion as to some other sets to ready a body for

lotus, I would be very grateful. Sat Nam.

 

Somebody had just asked me the same question offline, and I would like to

give you the same suggestions. You really need not worry too much about

lotus

pose. For many Westerners this pose is very difficult even after much

practice. In many Asian countries sitting cross-legged on the floor is

habitually done to this day, as opposed to sitting in a chair. Children

learn cross-legged poses when young so their hip alignment is somewhat

different from ours. Lotus pose practice effectively changes the alignment

of your hip and knee bones, and this is why it can be difficult or even

painful for a long time.

 

Kundalini Yoga does not use lotus pose so much, and while lotus pose has

certain benefits with regard to meditation posture and balance, you do not

need to be able to sit in full lotus pose to gain all the benefits of the

respective meditation. Just simply sitting cross-legged is fine. What you

need is a balanced, firm posture where you can keep your back straight. This

is the key to all meditations and sitting exercises. Whether you sit in a

simple cross-legged pose, in full lotus, half lotus, Siddhasana or some

other posture is not so important. Sitting cross legged on the floor is

preferable to sitting in a chair because the body is more symmetrically

positioned and you have a wider range of motion.

 

If you want to practice lotus pose, first you could try sitting in a simple

cross-legged posture. You may try to sit on a cushion and also put cushions

or rolled towels under your knees, so that the stress on them would be

reduced. It is also ok to sit with your back against a wall so that your

back would not be put upon. When you are able to sit comfortably in this

pose for at least 20 minutes you can try the half-lotus pose, with just one

foot on top of the other thigh. Bring your foot up gently with your hands

and place it on the opposite thigh so that the sole would be facing slightly

up. Try this position for just a few minutes, and stop if you feel pain.

Lean back against the wall if it makes it easier. Then you can try with the

other side. Take your time with this posture and be careful not to strain.

After you are able to sit in this pose for at least 15 minutes comfortably

you can try the full lotus. If it takes you a few months to get here, that

is fine - it takes many people years! All the notes above apply - cushions,

back support, do not strain.

 

It is very very important to sit in a relaxed, confortable posture, without

any pain. If you try to sit in full lotus without your body being fully

prepared to do so you will probably find that your lower back will be arched

in, you will strain a few muscles and have an overall pretty painful

experience - which is the opposite of what is needed for yoga and

meditation. It is much more preferable to sit in a simple cross-legged

posture rather than to force things.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Many blessings,

Satsang Kaur

[Guest guest]

I have been trying to stretch out enough to do lotus posture, but this pose is

still too difficult for me. Lesson 7 on the navel center (in KY Online site) has

been a big help because I experience much resistance in the life nerve/ sciatic

nerve, all along the leg muscles. If someone would be kind enough to make a

suggestion as to some other sets to ready a body for lotus, I would be very

grateful. Sat Nam.

 

-Brian Thomas