Sleepy Legs

Steve108

Will the sleepiness in my legs, pins and needles and pain ever go ? I find it difficult and distracting to my Zazen practice. It is very restricting and limits my practice. Any tips advice would be greatly appreciated.
With metta _/|\_

lobster

If kneeling place a pillow or folded blanket across your calves.

Steve108

I sit in the Burmese posture as legs are too old and stiff to even dream of attempting the full lotus :om:

Bunks

Steve108 said:

I sit in the Burmese posture as legs are too old and stiff to even dream of attempting the full lotus :om:

How long do you last in the burmese position @Steve108?

Steve108

between 10 and 25 mins.

lobster

Understood. Pillow is for people kneeling.

Sit in a chair.

Jeffrey

I have the same problem. I went twice to a service and the guru had me put a pillow directly under my foot on each leg. So on one leg between the foot and knee and on the other just under the foot.

Unfortunately it didn't work for me but it may for you.

More unfortunately I haven't got back to that Zen center because I have been hearing abusive voices for the past 6 months,

taiyaki

You could elevate your cushion higher to see how that changes things.

I sat for two week straight once and for the first week my legs kept falling asleep. But after the first week my legs got used to the stretching and sitting.

You could do some stretching exercises prior and after meditating. This will help a lot with flexibility, etc.

how

I would suggest alternating which leg is the most bent with the Burmese position even though one will feel more comfortable than the other. The leg that is bent the most will put consistent stress on one side of the lower part of your spine and may cause difficulties over time. Alternating them will balance this out.

Dealing with circulation or nerve restrictions in the Burmese can mean adjusting the height of your cushion/ moving yourself closer to the edge of the cushion so that more pressure is shifted to the base of your spine and off your ass/ or using a small support under what ever knee is less willing to be on the floor.

driedleaf

Try just sitting through it each time. Worked for me. Keeps it from happening again, if not for a long while.

zombiegirl

@Steve108 Do you use a zafu (specific sort of firm pillow for meditation)? Burmese is meant to be done with a zafu, but if you already do... there is no harm in sitting in a chair or even lying down (so long as you don't fall asleep).

Another option is to try some gentle stretching before you sit. Pay attention to your body and don't force it too fast. You will no doubt become more limber over time because muscles and ligaments react to the forces placed upon them.

DairyLama

Steve108 said:

Will the sleepiness in my legs, pins and needles and pain ever go ? I find it difficult and distracting to my Zazen practice. It is very restricting and limits my practice. Any tips advice would be greatly appreciated.
With metta _/|\_

If this doesn't eventually improve then I'd suggest trying a more comfortable position, maybe using a stool or sitting on a chair. The purpose of Buddhist meditation is to work on the mind, not to do yogic contortions or create pain.

lamaramadingdong

Off topic (sort of), but this reminded me of my oldest daughter when she was about 4. We were traveling and she complained that her legs felt funny. She had been sitting cross-legged and I said that her legs had probably just fallen asleep. A while later, I asked her if her legs were still asleep. She replied, "No, they're just a little tired."

sova

Hi @Steve108 ! How are you ^^ ?

One thing that helps me with my legs when sitting for meditation is to try and breathe with my whole body and not just the lungs/chest cavity.

Gradually work your breathing up through your body to the top of your head, and gradually breathe deeper until your are filling up your body to the base of your spine. Not necessarily filling it up with air, but with the sensation of breathing.

The feet, the arms, the head, the ankles, the thighs, the stomach, all of it can breathe.


Sometimes to help get into this I will move my hands up and over my head (bringing them together at a point) when breathing in, and then having my palms face down and push downward as I am breathing out. Kinda like a preamble to meditating.


Hope that helps my friend ^^