Hi everyone
I find this video to be very thorough and informative. Even if you only use half-lotus, I think these simple stretches could help. The instructor even warns viewers not to push too far, unlike some other yoga videos I've seen:
Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
To the Buddha-refuge i go; to the Dhamma-refuge i go; to the Sangha-refuge i go.
- LonesomeYogurt
- Posts: 900
- Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2012 4:24 pm
- Location: America
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
That was really helpful, I'll definitely put that into my routine. Thanks for the post!
Gain and loss, status and disgrace,
censure and praise, pleasure and pain:
these conditions among human beings are inconstant,
impermanent, subject to change.
Knowing this, the wise person, mindful,
ponders these changing conditions.
Desirable things don’t charm the mind,
undesirable ones bring no resistance.
His welcoming and rebelling are scattered,
gone to their end,
do not exist.
- Lokavipatti Sutta
Stuff I write about things.
censure and praise, pleasure and pain:
these conditions among human beings are inconstant,
impermanent, subject to change.
Knowing this, the wise person, mindful,
ponders these changing conditions.
Desirable things don’t charm the mind,
undesirable ones bring no resistance.
His welcoming and rebelling are scattered,
gone to their end,
do not exist.
- Lokavipatti Sutta
Stuff I write about things.
- James the Giant
- Posts: 791
- Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:41 am
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
Thanks for the video!
Then,
saturated with joy,
you will put an end to suffering and stress.
SN 9.11
saturated with joy,
you will put an end to suffering and stress.
SN 9.11
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
Thanks! I've been trying to sit half-lotus, so this should help with my legs not falling asleep.
"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of miserliness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared."
Iti 26
Iti 26
- Modus.Ponens
- Posts: 3853
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:38 am
- Location: Gallifrey
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
Thanks!
'This is peace, this is exquisite — the resolution of all fabrications; the relinquishment of all acquisitions; the ending of craving; dispassion; cessation; Unbinding.' - Jhana Sutta
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
Even with these exercises, due to the nature of my knees in this current birth, I ought not to do full lotus, but must content myself with half lotus. What I hope to get from them is the ability to sit in half lotus twice a day rather than just once. In the morning, there's no pain or problems in sitting, over an hour even. But if I try to do it again that evening, my right knee lets me know immediately that I ought to rest it from that posture.
I'm glad others are also finding this video helpful.
_/I\_
I'm glad others are also finding this video helpful.
_/I\_
To the Buddha-refuge i go; to the Dhamma-refuge i go; to the Sangha-refuge i go.
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
Thanks.
Great video.
Great video.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
it would take about a decade of twice daily stretching (two minutes each pose without forcing) for me to get into full lotus. i've been at it for about three months.
Just keep breathing in and out like this. Don't be interested in anything else. It doesn't matter even if someone is standing on their head with their ass in the air. Don't pay it any attention. Just stay with the in-breath and the out-breath. Concentrate your awareness on the breath. Just keep doing it. http://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Just_Do_It_1_2.php
- James the Giant
- Posts: 791
- Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:41 am
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
A decade! That's good, I've got about 50 years of life left I reckon, so ten years from now I'll be able to do full lotus for the final 40.convivium wrote:it would take about a decade of twice daily stretching (two minutes each pose without forcing) for me to get into full lotus. i've been at it for about three months.
Then,
saturated with joy,
you will put an end to suffering and stress.
SN 9.11
saturated with joy,
you will put an end to suffering and stress.
SN 9.11
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
Here's another set of prep exercises for lotus. Helps if you have some yoga background!
These really work if you do them once or twice a day.
These really work if you do them once or twice a day.
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
i'm realizing the reason mostly asians, girls and hippies can do this is because they don't have muscle.
Just keep breathing in and out like this. Don't be interested in anything else. It doesn't matter even if someone is standing on their head with their ass in the air. Don't pay it any attention. Just stay with the in-breath and the out-breath. Concentrate your awareness on the breath. Just keep doing it. http://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Just_Do_It_1_2.php
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
Asians, girls and hippies don't have muscle??convivium wrote:i'm realizing the reason mostly asians, girls and hippies can do this is because they don't have muscle.
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
most people who don't have muscle are one of those
Just keep breathing in and out like this. Don't be interested in anything else. It doesn't matter even if someone is standing on their head with their ass in the air. Don't pay it any attention. Just stay with the in-breath and the out-breath. Concentrate your awareness on the breath. Just keep doing it. http://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Just_Do_It_1_2.php
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
From personal experience, the wide angle forward bend is the be-all-end-all for padmasana.
Re: Preparatory stretches for Lotus / sitting
^loved the video, thanks Benjamin.
"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of miserliness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared."
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Iti 26