Ridiculously inflexible legs

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I’ve recently started meditating, I’m reading “A practical guide to mediation”. It’s based on buddhist meditation techniques and I’ve mostly just been doing stabilizing mediation. The book recommends the full lotus position as the best potion to meditate in but explains that this is an advanced pose and that any position where you’re comfortable in is good, although a cross legged sitting position is preferred.

Even though I’m only 19 my legs are ridiculously inflexible. I find sitting cross legged uncomfortable and it distracts me from meditation. I used to do a lot of running and my upper legs are still quite muscular. My legs are also quite long in proportion to my body. This might explain the inflexibility, but I’m sure that there’s no massive damage that’s been inflicted in the past.

After reading the book, I looked at a number of yoga poses online and found this: i.ytimg.com/vi/vvG-lekx64I/hqdefault.jpg

I thought that it would be just what I needed; easy and comfortable for long durations. But I find even this pose uncomfortable, it puts a lot of pressure on my knees, my upper legs get tense/sore and my bum is only lightly touching the back of my feet.

Essentially I’m just looking for exercises that will increase the flexibility in my legs. In the short term I want to be able to sit in the imaged pose. Although in the long term I’d like to be able to sit in the lotus position or something close. Although I’m open to any full body exercises aswel as yoga interests me and it wouldn’t do any harm (if done correctly :p).

Thanks for any and all help :slight_smile:

#2

Hi there
You can modify the pose in the picture by placing a block or big pillow under your bum and lifting it much higher. I use a meditation bench for meditating, which basically makes you sit in a kneeling position. There is no need to not meditate just because you can not sit in a particular posture, The time is right now to start in whatever position is comfortable for you. You would be able to become more flexible by doing yoga postures so go for it.
Loretha

#3

Loretha is absolutely right, meditation is meditation while sitting is just sitting.

The most liberating advice I ever got from a meditation teacher was “Stand up”

#4

[QUOTE=heddwch;65897]I’ve recently started meditating, I’m reading “A practical guide to mediation”. It’s based on buddhist meditation techniques and I’ve mostly just been doing stabilizing mediation. The book recommends the full lotus position as the best potion to meditate in but explains that this is an advanced pose and that any position where you’re comfortable in is good, although a cross legged sitting position is preferred.

Even though I’m only 19 my legs are ridiculously inflexible. I find sitting cross legged uncomfortable and it distracts me from meditation. I used to do a lot of running and my upper legs are still quite muscular. My legs are also quite long in proportion to my body. This might explain the inflexibility, but I’m sure that there’s no massive damage that’s been inflicted in the past.

After reading the book, I looked at a number of yoga poses online and found this: i.ytimg.com/vi/vvG-lekx64I/hqdefault.jpg

I thought that it would be just what I needed; easy and comfortable for long durations. But I find even this pose uncomfortable, it puts a lot of pressure on my knees, my upper legs get tense/sore and my bum is only lightly touching the back of my feet.

Essentially I’m just looking for exercises that will increase the flexibility in my legs. In the short term I want to be able to sit in the imaged pose. Although in the long term I’d like to be able to sit in the lotus position or something close. Although I’m open to any full body exercises aswel as yoga interests me and it wouldn’t do any harm (if done correctly :p).

Thanks for any and all help :)[/QUOTE]

Hi

You could try the following passive exercises with a bolster which may make your hips more flexible, and relax your inner thighs.

You rest on a bolster, with your sacrum on the floor, and feet closed in a trianlge:

You need for this a bolster and a yoga mat/comfy carpet. The other equipment (additional bolsters, knee support, shown in this picture are not necessary.


Again, rest on a bolster, and try to let completely let go your legs, hips and relax.

A forward bend, with legs wide apart, this should open your hips and give your legs a good stretch.

P.S. I am a yoga beginner…so, other users feel free to correct if this is not right what I suggested

#5

Thanks for the advice guys. I’ve still been meditating daily even without being able to reach a suggested pose, I understand that as long as your body is comfortable, you can meditate. I’ve even been trying stabilizing meditation whilst walking after seeing a discussion on some forum.

This whole thing has just made me realize how inflexible my legs are. I’ll try all of the suggestions and get back to you.

Thanks :slight_smile:

#6

hey there! wow did i have this problem, i couldn’t touch my toes or even really past my KNEES! honestly i was as rusty as a fence. i practiced regular yoga for ages to try and increase flexibility in my legs, but i’d often just end up sore and frustrated. kundalini yoga has changed my life and is opening my body rapidly. we use a technique called breath of fire, which is a rhythmic breath that’s really no deeper than sniffing. you can look it up on youtube! it oxygenates the body, especially the blood. you can learn to direct that breath into your stiff areas, which will increase the blood flow and circulation of the area making it easier to stretch. the best thing for opening up the backs of the legs, for me, is the life nerve (sciatic nerve) stretch with breath of fire. you can extend alternate legs along the floor, or lie on your back with one leg in the air… whichever is most comfortable… reach for your toes, if you can reach your ankles/calves/knees that’s okay too… and try out breath of fire! but you can always begin with long deep breathing, just really focus your energy on opening up the backs of the legs. i find if you imagine yourself becoming more flexible, you do! if i could do it you can! :slight_smile: x

#7

My meditation teacher (buddhist background) teaches to just sit in chair with straight spine and feet on the floor - there is no need for crossed legs to meditate (especially if some muscles are under strain). And the pain will come anyway at some point - what is important is not to react trying to change position but just acknowledge it and go back to meditation object and then after some practice it will disappear.

Regarding stretching the muscles: I would recommend “whole body” exercises (like yoga asanas). Just focusing on stretching muscles to reach single pose may cause imbalance. And in general meditation goes much better after whole body exercise.