| Much attention should be paid to spinal alignment, | | | | the legs and under the pelvis. |
| at the beginning, and during, your meditation | | | | There is also another common modification - by |
| sessions. In some Yoga classes, you may be | | | | placing a blanket or pillows between the calves |
| instructed to sit in Padmasana (lotus posture). As | | | | and leg biceps. Again, the purpose is to take |
| you will learn, this is not entirely correct for every | | | | stress off the knees, which makes it easier for a |
| student, but the reasons for choosing Padmasana | | | | practitioner to sit in meditation a bit longer. |
| are logical. | | | | As you can see, there are many choices, but the |
| With the legs crossed, they serve as a strong | | | | primary objective is to sit with the spine in a |
| base, which keep the spine straight, so that | | | | straight position. Some people choose to sit on a |
| energy will flow throughout the body; especially up | | | | "Zafu," which is a round cushion. Traditionally, a |
| and down the spine. Yet, this posture is not good | | | | Zafu was black, about 14 inches in diameter, and |
| for everyone because of the stress put on the | | | | 8 inches thick. These days, you can find them in a |
| knees. In some cases, forcing students to sit in | | | | multitude of colors and ergonomic designs. |
| the lotus posture will stress the ligaments within | | | | This leads into the idea of meditation props. There |
| the knee joint. | | | | are a variety of meditation chairs, pillows, |
| In the case of knees that do not conform to | | | | benches, cushions, and Salubrion Seats to choose |
| lotus posture, half lotus (Ardha Padmasana) is | | | | from. In fact, you don't have to sit at all. Some |
| often chosen as a secondary posture. Sukasana | | | | people practice meditation from a standing |
| (easy posture) is also a stable choice for | | | | position, and there is also the option to do a |
| meditation. Modifications can be made by placing | | | | walking meditation. |
| blankets under the knees or sitting on the blanket. | | | | At all times, the spine is held straight. When you |
| When I first began to meditate, we learned to sit | | | | think about all of the above-mentioned options for |
| in Vajrasana (thunderbolt posture), which is also | | | | meditation, choose a posture, which you can hold |
| called, "Seiza" (kneeling posture), in many Japanese | | | | without discomfort. If you want to stay with your |
| and Okinawan martial arts schools. The kneeling | | | | meditation practice, comfort is part of the |
| posture also keeps the spine very straight, and | | | | equation. People who feel they must suffer |
| this posture can be modified by sitting on a | | | | through a posture will not continue to expand their |
| bolster or a rolled blanket, which runs between | | | | meditation practice. |