I just skimmed through alot of posts, so forgive me if I repeat something already said, regarding lotus sitting.
I have found a few tips that helped me progress.
- Master Lin's warm-ups are good prior to sitting stretching/yoga like positions/movements. Don't think in terms of six or nine reps,,,,start out with 36. If I am employing them, I do will do them up to around 111. I may alternate in sets, so the movement doesn't numb out or get undefined. The movements are circular, which is an important and good aspect to the movement. Warmth is created, within, with higher numbers. Circles can draw in energy too. Inner warm is very effective prior to stretching.
- Regarding heat....The sun is good, but not direct. The heat of the sun is different than direct sun. Outside hot weather is great for loosening up, but I would avoid throwing in a suntanning session! I don't think 'wet' is good. I am not concerned about humidity, but a steamy sauna may not be good for the bones, as you open up. Dry heat may be better. Pick some shade to sit in if outside. Some sun is ok, but you get drained and baked with too much.
- When sitting in a half lotus....if any knee is floating, unsupported, place a pillow under the floating knee to ground it. If you are sitting within the hour range, you will feel less strain in a half lotus, if you ground the floating knee. In general, use pillows, small cushions, balled up socks, whatever, to give you what you need to ground your position. The supported knee will still relax and stretch over time, without the strain, if it is just hanging there.
-Sitting against a wall is a good half step to holding a correct position. It is easier with that support to have your legs in a better position, and not need a cushion to sit on, or elevate you.
- If I am trying to sit in a half lotus without a cushion... If I hold my hands out, open, palms up...I visualize heavy balls of qi in my palms. Like shot puts. The weight of the qi helps keep me from tipping backwards. I no longer do this, but it was a transitional help. After all my stretching, I would sit in both half lotus positions, doing this, then, go into a full lotus. The half lotus's were experienced more like another yoga stretch. It is easy to feel, right where the point is, that is tight, and needs to open. Focus your relaxation there. Maybe put an image of the sun there to help transform it. Sometimes I use level two hands to help bring qi to uncomfortable aches or pains. Directing qi where you need it, is better than letting this be only a physical pursuit. Keep your breath as a vital part, your sense of energy involved, etc. Don't leave the sensitivity of energy out of the equation just look at it physically.
-Envision yourself sitting in a full lotus! If you can see it in your mind's eye, it will eventually manifest. Support this with positive, knowing statements to yourself, just like telling yourself you are completely open. " I 'can' sit in a full lotus."
- do Master Lin's exercises afterwards too. Maybe not as much, but enough to take away any numbness or soreness from being in postion for a longer time. Don't just walk away numb and sore. You are healers, take care of yourself. Bouncing is also effective, afterwards. The after work , I have found , is very effective, and carries over to the next session.
- one more,,, Once you are in position, lean forward, gently, with back straight, then sit up, so the bottom of your torso, or base, are aligned underneath you. This simple movement helps align your sitting position.
- oops!! another one.. Try self massage as you do the stretching. I massage the bottoms of my feet, alot, and in general, do alot of self massage, of feet and knees. Focus on the main point on the bottom of your feet. I have found that massaging certain places, or pressing hear and there, relieves the 'felt' strain of positions. This is more intuitive, but comes from simply starting, by massaging your feet, using energy instead of just being phyiscal, putting energy in places with your hands, etc... self healing work while you open up and gain flexibility or strength, or the same, afterwards..
love,
gallen
