All posts tagged “posture”

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Shakuhachi — 14 years ago — permalink

Closed, though sometimes I will briefly open them just a little.

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terrormortus — 14 years ago — permalink

Personally I keep them closed. Without all the visual information coming in it helps me to focus on my breathing. 

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davidbhayes — 14 years ago — permalink

One of the things I really struggled with when I started was back pain, and for a long time it seemed like nothing would help. But one day I "discovered" that where I put my hands made a *huge* difference and I felt a bit dumb. 
What I had been doing sort of just dropping my hands in front or beside me, and that really tended to meant they dangled unsupported near my knees or sides. What I discovered if that if I held them in toward my belly button or even on the upper half of the inner-thigh the dull constant back pain was much less noticeable and problematic.

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jermur1 — 13 years ago — permalink

I usually lie down as I have way 2 much energy otherwise and I never fall asleep when meditating...well almost never:)

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davidbhayes — 13 years ago — permalink

That's interesting.
I've tried lying down, but usually for the *terrible* reason that I don't feel I have enough energy to meditate. As you may expect from the prior sentence, the result is usually either that I do in fact fall asleep, or else drift into this low-energy, low-awareness state that definitely isn't quite sleep, but is also definitely not meditation.
I'd be curious to hear more about how it works for you, and how other postures feel too energetic.

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jermur1 — 13 years ago — permalink

Hey,
Well basically I just lie down on my  yoga mat and I never feel tired:) Its so much easier for me to let go and just focus on my breath. I do try to spend some time sitting though to build up strength as I would like to do a retreat. I feel very restless sitting but maybe its just an excuse as lying is so easy!!
I walk my dog everyday trying to be as mindful as possible easier said then done but getting a little better all the time. Also do Yoga for an hour.
only in last few weeks I've started doing so much. This site is helping keep me focused though.
You been a meditator long?? What kind do you practice

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davidbhayes — 13 years ago — permalink

Slow to reply, but thanks a lot for sharing.
I do think I understand what you mean about being better able to focus on the breath, whenever I do lie down the sensation of the breath was different in a very interesting way.
I've actually been meditating for almost two years now. We started Medivate a little after that, though not as a result. Meditation's been really interesting, and certainly a fair number of highs and lows. Medivate's helpful for me too, but I don't think we've yet made it the case that's is sufficient to keep people motivated. That's the much harder goal.
I typically do mindfulness of breath meditation. I've tried a few other forms once in a while, but that's what I do 99% of the time. It's still teaching me things and challenging me on a regular basis.

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HandyBendy — 13 years ago — permalink

Check out some meditation Mudras - experiment with them and choose the one you feel most comfortable with. Dhyana Mudra or subtle variations of it is one of the most widely used.   

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fredclaymeyer — 13 years ago — permalink

Putting them on my thighs feels like the "default." Joining them somehow feels a little more formal--preferable in some ways, I think. I think trying to keep a "Zen hand circle" thing going is too much work, though; it's a weird and not very comfortable shape, at least whenever I've tried it.

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HandyBendy — 13 years ago — permalink

Check out some meditation Mudras - experiment with them and choose the one you feel most comfortable with. Dhyana Mudra or subtle variations of it is one of the most widely used.

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davidbhayes — 13 years ago — permalink

You know, I'd never heard the term "mudras" before. Very interesting to learn about them.
Do you recommend them because they're comfortable to use, or for spiritual reasons?

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HandyBendy — 13 years ago — permalink

Well I personally find them very comfortable to use. They allow the arm and shoulder muscles to relax more easily (particulary Dhyana Mudra or the similar Buddha Mudra) and help to promote a feeling of serenity & stability. They are also considered to be symbolic spiritual gestures and to influence to flow of pranic energy through the body. 
http://www.kundaliniyoga.org/mudras.html
Another very important aspect of Kundalini yogta mediation techniques is the use of body 'locks' or muscular contractions called Bandhas, applied for the retention and channeling of Prana. 
http://www.kundaliniyoga.org/bhandas.html
Yoga Asanas, Pranayama, Mudras and Bhandas form a complimentary 'suite' of techniques used to achieve profoundly deep states of consciousness and to stimulate the kundalini energy to awaken.

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Kyletin — 13 years ago — permalink

I am perhaps the strange person who finds the Dhyana Mudra strangely uncomfortable! I think I am putting it "on" the wrong part of me, for it will never rest " flatly " on my lap. One foot always moves it up (depending on which which is on top). I apologise if that is explained poorly!

I tend to do something like in what I found in this picture: 

http://www.hathayoga.co.za/yoni_mudra.gif

I wasn't even aware it was something that other people did, but hey. I googled "Yoni Mudra" and got something VERY different also in the google images pictures, so it could be a miss-labelled .gif on that hathayoga.co.za site, but at any rate, I find that a REALLY comfortable hand position. 

Thanks for the information!

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Lullabyehaze — 13 years ago — permalink

I usually sit cross-legged on a cushion-- just a cushion that I had at home, not a special meditation cushion for the time being. There are times when I sit in a chair if my back or knees hurt. And I really like to meditate outside when I can, so I might sit on a bench or a tree stump.

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davidbhayes — 13 years ago — permalink

A tree strump, that's one I've never tried.
I think it varies a lot across people and cushions, but for me buying a real actual meditation cushion that had properties it needed was a big help with respect to back strain and other discomfort. I do understand the hesitation to dive into one though: they aren't cheap and if what you has working there's really no reason.
Thanks for sharing!

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Lullabyehaze — 13 years ago — permalink

I'll want to get a real cushion at some point, but wow-- so pricey! For the time being, I added another pillow so that I'm sitting a little higher, nearer to the height of a zafu. This is more comfortable than just one pillow.

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davidbhayes — 13 years ago — permalink

Huh. No real thoughts, other than: Don't rest it on things if you don't want to fall asleep!
Generally I've never noticed many posture issues around the head. The way that feels most natural to me — mostly upright with the chin tucked slightly in — seems to be optimal.

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fredclaymeyer — 13 years ago — permalink

Make sure not to let it (your chin especially) jut out, or you'll get a tired neck and shoulders...

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hanjini — 13 years ago — permalink

I just let it be, not move around too much, my chin down a little bit, eyes closed. I sit very still.

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davidbhayes — 12 years ago — permalink

I do both.
Especially when I'm feeling tired, I find it useful to have one more stop before I can accidentally be asleep. But I also find having the eyes open — sort of unfocused in the middle distance — has another aspect of being a little more energetic for me (and making it easier to touch into things like restlessness) than when my eyes are closed.
I do like the aspect of having your eyes closed where it's much easier to be still and peaceful. For me that my eyes can't quite so easily go seeking an interesting thing to rest upon (and then think about...) can be really helpful.

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chenthillrulz — 12 years ago — permalink

Looks like there is a bug. I was able to see the reply, only after following the user. Until before, I never followed anybody and so never knew u had replied :)
Yes, I also at times used get sleep in the past. I have observed that it usually happens when there the mind gets engrossed in thoughts, when a conversation goes on inside. 
I love playing badminton, motorbike ride, running after a good meditation session. Its just so wonderful to witness the activities and how our body performs everything automatically!! Esp. in badminton, get to play some new shots and would get surprised after playing it, would be super awesome!!

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gordon — 12 years ago — permalink

Closed. Because it is comfortable and seems to work.

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Yolanda — 12 years ago — permalink

In our tradition we meditate with our eyes open because what we are trying to cultivate is mindfulness and awareness.  So the meditation session is a way to train yourself in how to be in the world, centered and with an inner peace.

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chenthillrulz — 12 years ago — permalink

closed. Meditation is about dropping the intentions arising in the mind by just staying with 'what is' and allowing the awareness to flow. Doing this is easy when the eyes are closed.
Moreover the mind and body gets in to action mode and move outwards easily, when eyes are opened. Once the staying with 'what is' starts happening with closed eyes, it automatically starts manifesting when eyes are open and when start performing activities such as work, sports etc. Making every act a meditation. This is my observation.

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Lullabyehaze — 12 years ago — permalink

I'd love to hear people's tips on this. I have issues with my back and shoulders, and I readjust my posture every few minutes or so. But here are my tips:
Spend a minute or two at the beginning arranging your legs and bottom so that you'll be comfortable. Don't rush into it.
Think of stacking up the vertebrae on top of each other, building from the bottom to the crown of the head.
Tilt the head down a bit so that the highest point is the crown of the head, not the forehead. This lengthens the back of the neck and points the gaze down.
Try to have a straight and firm posture, but at the same time soft and not rigid. I don't know if this is helpful to anyone else, but I imagine my spine/shoulders as a hanger or coat rack, and my body is the shirt/coat/whatever. There is structure in the middle, but the rest of the body, shoulders, etc. is relaxed.

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fredclaymeyer — 12 years ago — permalink

That all sounds awesome! I guess I'd add:
-For the legs: however you're sitting (cushion or chair), it's helpful if your knees are lower than your hips.
-Relaxed front (like chest and stomach), as part of "straight but not rigid."
-Really relax the muscles in your face (especially eyes, eyebrows, forehead) - I've found this has quite an impact on my own practice.
-Agreed on tilting the head down; would also add that it's a bit of a "gathering" feeling - the head should sit right on top of the shoulders, rather than being forward and pulling down on the shoulders.

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Synelg — 10 years ago — permalink

Usually closed, but if I feel sleepy, I will open my eyes for as long as it takes to get rid of the sleepiness or dullness.

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felixleif — 10 years ago — permalink

If nature is all that is in front of me, then I shall look and meditate on its completeness.

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Zack1995 — 10 years ago — permalink

The back should be straight but comfortably, eyes should not be shut but half lidded or naturally relaxed but open, and chin should be pointing slightly down ward. But above all you should sit in a comfortable position otherwise your mind tends to focus on readjusting instead of the meditation itself.

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NEBULABUFF — 6 years ago — permalink

Sometimes open; sometimes closed.  I always start with closed eyes but I'll occasionally open my eyes and look out into the trees and flowers in my back yard and allow myself to be awed by the splendor of creation.  It is important to have one's awareness awestruck as often as possible.  As Max Ehrmann points out in his "Desiderata",  "With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it's still a beautiful world.  Be careful.  Strive to be happy."

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