seiza

KarateKid7 · March 25, 2003

hey

i was just wondering whether i have weak joints in my legs as wheneva i sit in seiza, it hurts like crazy! we only sit for 10 mins but i feel like i am dying a slow death but i don't know wat i can do to help this....would cod liver oil tablets help tp strengthen joints inorder for me to achieve the postion seiza for a longer amount of time?

KickChick · March 25, 2003

Maybe first we should explain the two methods of "sitting" for those who aren't accustomed to this.

The two methods of sitting on the floor are: SEIZA and ZAZEN

In seiza, you kneel on the floor with knees one shoulder width apart. Stretch insteps to floor and place right big toe next to left big toe. Sit on heels--back straight, chin slightly tucked in toward chest. Hands are palms up on top of thighs close to the knees, or palms down about mid-thigh. They may also be cradled in the lap with the right held in the left, thumbs just touching at the tips. Elbows are held out to the sides of the body and on the same plane with the hands and nose.

To sit in zazen, place left foot on top of right thigh close to the hip as possible. Sole of foot points up. Place right foot on top of left thigh close to hip as possible. Soles of feet point upward. Hands held cradled in lap [with crown of head stretched toward the ceiling.

Some seated leg and hip stretches is probably what you need for your obvious lack of inner groin & hip flexibility.

Begin with "butterflies" ..

Sit erect on the floor and place the soles of your feet together. Grasp the toes with both hands and slowly pull your feet toward your groin. When the heels are as close to the body as they will come, apply downward pressure against the thighs with the forearms. Holding the back straight, bend at the waist and pull the upper body down over the feet as far as you can. Throughout this stretch avoid bouncing as it tend to tighten the muscles rather than loosen them.

Now..... a] Sit on the floor with back straight and your feet extended out to the sides as far as possible. Keep the toes pointing to the ceiling. With your hands on the floor at the hip behind your legs, push your body forward against the stretch, pressuring the feet further apart. Bend forward from the waist as far as you can. Rotate at the hip to the side and catch the left elbow inside the left knee. Reach over the top to the left side with the right hand and hold at full extension. The body stays forward facing. [c] Turn the upper body to the left and bend forward over the left leg as far as you can. Keep the back straight throughout. Holding the chin up helps to reduce the curve of the spine. The focus of the stretch should be the hamstrings, not the back. and [c] should be done on both sides, returning frequently to the middle posture in-between as a release. Each extended posture is held for several seconds while breathing naturally.

shotochem · March 25, 2003

wheneva i sit in seiza, it hurts like crazy! we only sit for 10 mins but i feel like i am dying a slow death

I can feel your pain......

I still can't stay in seiza for more than a few min. Fortunately we only do it to bow in and out. How long do you guys have to stay in this ungodly position???

10 min How long is the class? If I want to sit around and meditate I can do it at home,before and or after class. Is it me or does anyone else

think that class time can be used more productivly???

After all my knees and ankles are not 18 anymore

IAMA_chick · March 27, 2003

we onlt sit in that position for a few minutes and only once or twice since i've been at my school, and it did friggin' hurt! but, maybe work on stretching more or something. as for the cod liver oil pills, i have no idea what so ever. but stretching should definatly help.