--- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "czerlinskyt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
>
> I have noticed that difference between half and full lotus myself.
Most of
> the time I sit half just because that position allows me to sit for
a hour
> at a time. I have only recently (within the past 6 months or so)
been able
> to achieve full-lotus and can only go about 20-30 minutes before I
feel like
> I need to get some blood flowing. I do notice, though, that full-
lotus
> seems to be a much more stable position and allows for breath that
may be
> more natural than sitting in half. Full-lotus requires less minor
> adjustments and alignments during meditation, ie: more stillness.
>
> It seems to me in the West full-lotus is not emphasized strictly,
due to the
> fact that most people in the US are not generally quite as flexible
as other
> places where Yoga and meditation are more commonly used. Many
Westerners
> simply don't bend that way, and it's damaging to force oneself into
a
> position. In order for many to achieve full lotus, it takes a few
years of
> cautious stretching in order to be able to not overstrain ones-self
and get
> a messed up ankle or knee.
>
> Keep stretching your ankles, knees and hips in order to sit longer
and more
> comfortably in full-lotus. However, be very careful about how you
go about
> it. Torn knee cartilage may be a very painful and difficult thing
to
> overcome =) It's always best to consult a yogi of some sort, and
allow
> yourself patience to achieve that goal.
>
Oh and I wanted to mention that my best description of half vs. full
lotus is that full lotus is "easier from the waist up." Half lotus
is more physically comfortable, but I think I have been becoming to
complacent and comfortable in my sitting, so this seems to actually
be a good thing.
Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are
reading! Talk about it today!
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