What Exercises Can You Do Before Meditation?

DaltheJigsaw

What Exercises Can You Do Before Meditation?


Thanks,
Leon

DaltheJigsaw

Stretches?

fabianfred

ten times each

mugzy

does anyone know the significance of Khru Baa Nua Chai's tattoos in the above video?

buddhajunkie

I don't see any normal exercises that you can't do, although I can see how some exercises might complement meditation better.

Yoga, for example, would work well because you can easily begin getting concentrated as you are engaging yoga. You can also do it in a place were there are few distractions.

Playing ping pong with a friend, on the other hand, might be a little to mentally stimulating.

Vangelis

When I used to do yoga, I found it helped in my meditation.

But I found that keeping mindfulness throughout the day helped a great deal in my sit-down meditation.

zombiegirl

whatever feels good. i stretch constantly throughout the day because i force myself to be more aware of my body. i think if you take the time to move your arms/legs/neck in every position possible, you will see which directions cause discomfort and therefore, which stretches you need to do. i think it is rather rare for me to do proper active isolated stretching, but i do a lot of windmills and gentle movements to keep my body feeling loose.

sorry if this isn't specific enough. for some reason i always skip over stuff like stretching if i make too big of a deal with it by getting a "routine" or something, haha. i'd rather just do what feels good.

Simonthepilgrim

I use some simple Tai Chi movements, standing, to start with. This loosens up ageing joints and centres me. I then make a few prostrations (more loosening and focusing). I then stand, feet well planted, hands together, relaxed and look at the place where I am going to sit, bringing to mind my intention.

Then I sit.

I would add that I use this preparation before sitting down to write too or when I have a 'tough' text, notion or problem to consider.

rainbowwarrior

Prostrations is good one!

DaltheJigsaw

What kind of Yoga?
I mean, is there a certain one?
Or certain yoga exercises?

DaltheJigsaw

Thanks everyone!

fabianfred

If you are practicing mindfulness (vipassana) then Tai-Chi or yoga are ideal because you can be mindful during the slow stretching movements and therefore be meditating whilst exercising.
The tattoos on khru baa's body are called sak-yant and some believe are protective...... but the best real protection is mindfulness.

Wuji

I like to do Yoga every morning after I wake up to stretch the body and then I meditate. I refer to Yoga as meditation for the body. I do basic Hatha Yoga poses for stretching which makes me feel better all day. I just invent a routine by using poses close to each other. You can use this chart to help.

DaltheJigsaw

If you are practicing mindfulness (vipassana) then Tai-Chi or yoga are ideal because you can be mindful during the slow stretching movements and therefore be meditating whilst exercising.
The tattoos on khru baa's body are called sak-yant and some believe are protective...... but the best real protection is mindfulness.

Thank you!
I do Zen Meditation.
Sometimes Vipassana.
I just need some exercises before I do my 20 min Meditation sessions in the morning and at night.

DaltheJigsaw

I like to do Yoga every morning after I wake up to stretch the body and then I meditate. I refer to Yoga as meditation for the body. I do basic Hatha Yoga poses for stretching which makes me feel better all day. I just invent a routine by using poses close to each other. You can use this chart to help.

Thank you!
Those examples are perfect!
Wonderful!
I do exactly the same thing.
Meditation in the morning and night.
I just need some type of yoga/stretching before each session.
You gave me great examples.
I usually do Zen Meditation.

mugzy

The tattoos on khru baa's body are called sak-yant and some believe are protective...... but the best real protection is mindfulness.

Thanks! That is very interesting. I'm looking it up on Google right now

DaltheJigsaw

The tattoos on khru baa's body are called sak-yant and some believe are protective...... but the best real protection is mindfulness.

Thanks! That is very interesting. I'm looking it up on Google right now

Link us!:)
If you found anything interesting!

fivebells

I stretch my quads and iliotibial bands before sitting. Otherwise, my muscles get very tight while I'm kneeling, grind my patellae into my knee grooves, and cause great discomfort throughout the day.

buddhajunkie

there are a ton of yoga videos on youtube. In particular, you want to do a "flow"-- a sequence of poses that "flow" easily from one to another, and that provide complementary stretching and strengthening. I recommend trying to memorize a few flows. One you memorize them, you can focus more on being mindful as you do them. That way you are beginning your meditation before you even hit the cushion.

DaltheJigsaw

there are a ton of yoga videos on youtube. In particular, you want to do a "flow"-- a sequence of poses that "flow" easily from one to another, and that provide complementary stretching and strengthening. I recommend trying to memorize a few flows. One you memorize them, you can focus more on being mindful as you do them. That way you are beginning your meditation before you even hit the cushion.

Any examples?
Links?
Thank you,
Leon