Positions for those with back problems!

[Squatchit]

If I can do as much as possible to avoid feeling pain, I will. Especially when meditating/relaxing.

I'm very fortunate in that I have one of those riser/recliner chairs. It's like a business-class airline seat - huge, comfy and reclines to nearly flat. I've had it for 15 years now and it's been a real blessing.

The downside to being thoroughly relaxed is falling asleep. However, with practice and timing, I can stay awake through an hour-long meditation. (Timing meaning I choose a time when I am feeling very awake and refreshed). I eat a banana just before (so I don't get a rumbling tum) and put a big fleecy blanket over me. I find that about 20 minutes into the meditation, I get shivery. It doesn't feel like goosebumps, but more of an internal shivering. So I always use a blanket so I know I'm warm enough.

Blah blah blah...don't I go on.....?

Squatch

[Usako]

Originally Posted by Uma

re. the foam roller - you just place the roller underneath your back wherever it needs a bit of massage or pressure

You know...the yoga poses, asanas, are all meditation postures.

If you ever watch kumba mele on youtube, you may see yogis meditating in all kinds of postures....every so often they will shift their position... intuitively the Energy guides them into a new posture

Kundalini will find a way even if the back is not straight...

I think I am going to buy a foam roller and a yoga mat as well, a cheap one since I plan to use for meditating not doing Yoga. Maybe I'll join a Yoga class someday, but not right now.

Do you know what an ideal length of the foam roller would be? I see lots and don't know which I should choose...

Thank you you have given me tons of info!

Originally Posted by Gem

In the meditation there is pain just as there is pain in life. Pain will happen.

When the practice is done, and pain occurs, the practitioner is to remain equanimous and have no adverse mental reaction to the sensation.

I guess you are right and one should learn to block the pain just as one should block outside noise, the problem is the pain stays after meditating and can be very difficult to do some things with it, in my case sometimes I have to take around 3 or 4 acetaminophen pills to be able to function! When it is not my back that hurts, is my head...poor liver!

[Usako]

Originally Posted by Squatchit

If I can do as much as possible to avoid feeling pain, I will. Especially when meditating/relaxing.

I'm very fortunate in that I have one of those riser/recliner chairs. It's like a business-class airline seat - huge, comfy and reclines to nearly flat. I've had it for 15 years now and it's been a real blessing.

The downside to being thoroughly relaxed is falling asleep. However, with practice and timing, I can stay awake through an hour-long meditation. (Timing meaning I choose a time when I am feeling very awake and refreshed). I eat a banana just before (so I don't get a rumbling tum) and put a big fleecy blanket over me. I find that about 20 minutes into the meditation, I get shivery. It doesn't feel like goosebumps, but more of an internal shivering. So I always use a blanket so I know I'm warm enough.

Blah blah blah...don't I go on.....?

Squatch

I've always wanted one of those chairs, but they can be so expensive, and now all the ones I see include massagers, which I find very uncomfortable even when you are not using them.

Could the shivering be related to emotional pain? I read something similar when Lionsheart (you can find him mostly at the TF forum) was describing an experience he had with...I want to say Reiki, but maybe it was something similar, I am almost sure it was Reiki. Well he described a cold that came from his bones.

[Squatchit]

Originally Posted by Suikagirl

Could the shivering be related to emotional pain? I read something similar when Lionsheart (you can find him mostly at the TF forum) was describing an experience he had with...I want to say Reiki, but maybe it was something similar, I am almost sure it was Reiki. Well he described a cold that came from his bones.

Hmmmm, it could be emotional pain, but I doubt it. If it happened during the times when my thoughts were on something emotionally upsetting, I would attribute it to that. However, it's much more common. It happens nearly every time. I think (but I might be wrong), it's a symptom of a stage of relaxation. I get it in bed at night too...most nights if I don't fall to sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. The best way I can describe it is like having an alka-seltzer put into my blood. It's a fizzy sensation (a mild fizz) and feels cold. Like internal goosebumps. And it feels like it's located in my bloodstream, rather than my bones. I've got used to it by now and even enjoy it at times.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Suikagirl

I guess you are right and one should learn to block the pain just as one should block outside noise, the problem is the pain stays after meditating and can be very difficult to do some things with it, in my case sometimes I have to take around 3 or 4 acetaminophen pills to be able to function! When it is not my back that hurts, is my head...poor liver!

Not really, if the pain is there it is there. I was going to say that some have chronic pain, but didn't want to waffle on, however, being free of pain isn't needed for meditation and neither is having a great pleasure.

What we're really dealing with is mental reactivity to sensations, so the meditation is retaining an even calm quiet disposition regardless of what feelings/sensations are experienced.

[Xan]

Originally Posted by Suikagirl

I've always wanted one of those chairs, but they can be so expensive, and now all the ones I see include massagers, which I find very uncomfortable even when you are not using them.

Really I'm surprised you don't already have a recliner, Suika, for the back condition that you have. They are very supporting to the back and whole body at any time, and feel especially good when meditating.

Some of them are not really expensive, like a comfy arm chair with a pull-out foot support that leans the chair back a little, and without those annoying massage things.

But in the meanwhile just look at one, on the internet maybe, and see how it supports the back - not flat but a little inclined (there are triangle shaped bed pillows you can buy to use on bed or sofa), and the knees bent over support. (You might use a firm pillow or rolled up blanket.)


Xan

[Usako]

Originally Posted by Gem

Not really, if the pain is there it is there. I was going to say that some have chronic pain, but didn't want to waffle on, however, being free of pain isn't needed for meditation and neither is having a great pleasure.

What we're really dealing with is mental reactivity to sensations, so the meditation is retaining an even calm quiet disposition regardless of what feelings/sensations are experienced.

Thank you, I understand.

Originally Posted by Xan

Really I'm surprised you don't already have a recliner, Suika, for the back condition that you have. They are very supporting to the back and whole body at any time, and feel especially good when meditating.

Some of them are not really expensive, like a comfy arm chair with a pull-out foot support that leans the chair back a little, and without those annoying massage things.

But in the meanwhile just look at one, on the internet maybe, and see how it supports the back - not flat but a little inclined (there are triangle shaped bed pillows you can buy to use on bed or sofa), and the knees bent over support. (You might use a firm pillow or rolled up blanket.)


Xan

Well I have always wanted one, especially for reading with all the chairs and sofas in my house (believe I have tons ) I haven't been able to find one where I can read comfortably, I have to do it sitting on my bed for short periods of time.

Unfortunately where I live the prices of these are high, I could ask my aunt and I know she would be willing to it, but I don't feel comfortable to ask for high-priced things, even when she offers!

I will buy one of those triangle cushions and give it a try, my mom used to have one for watching TV years ago, maybe it will work for this too!

Thanks!

[Usako]

Originally Posted by Squatchit

Hmmmm, it could be emotional pain, but I doubt it. If it happened during the times when my thoughts were on something emotionally upsetting, I would attribute it to that. However, it's much more common. It happens nearly every time. I think (but I might be wrong), it's a symptom of a stage of relaxation. I get it in bed at night too...most nights if I don't fall to sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. The best way I can describe it is like having an alka-seltzer put into my blood. It's a fizzy sensation (a mild fizz) and feels cold. Like internal goosebumps. And it feels like it's located in my bloodstream, rather than my bones. I've got used to it by now and even enjoy it at times.

Well to the other person that it happened to he wasn't thinking about emotional stuff, it just happened...

But now I sort of understand your sensation, I had something similar happen to me today, I felt like a bubble coming from the lower part of my spine (around my waist), this was warm though, it happened during meditation as well.

[Uma]

Originally Posted by Suikagirl

I think I am going to buy a foam roller and a yoga mat as well, a cheap one since I plan to use for meditating not doing Yoga. Maybe I'll join a Yoga class someday, but not right now.

Do you know what an ideal length of the foam roller would be? I see lots and don't know which I should choose...

Thank you you have given me tons of info!

You're welcome - I have a ton more (he he)..

About the foam roller, I recommend the harder variety, not the cheap ones which are softer. It's expensive, but for me, a life saver. If you use it to massage your back, remember to drink water afterwards and have a warm Epsom Salt bath or at least a hot shower or your muscles will be sore the next morning (because you release lactic acid from the self-massage).

If you are able to do a yoga practice it will strengthen your back. What saved my back before was a combination of chiropractic treatment and yoga because my back was in such rough shape, I was only hurting it with the yoga alone. I went from an S-curve to a dead straight spine in one year - because I did gradually add the yoga practice to chiropractic treatments. Plank pose and the Suryia Namaskar will definitely strengthen the back - but go easy until your back is able to take it. That's my advice.

Another tip: when sitting for long periods in general, try to get into the habit of sitting on the edge of a wooden chair so that the pelvis is tilted forward. It should feel comfortable and like you are "locked" into position. This can help train the back for long sitting sessions. Big puffy chairs are bad ergonomically.

The proper seated meditation posture doesn't have to be lotus position, but it's ideal when the back is tilted forward and the knees are lower than the navel. Few people are fit enough to achieve this without cushions (if on the floor) or a good supportive chair.

I've also meditated in a papasan chair and in a hammock, but that's only useful if I want to fall asleep meditating! It's nice to meditate outdoors though because when your mind goes quiet, birds, squirrels and other little creatures come oh so close - they're not afraid of you. And Nature is sacred space which is very conducive to meditation...which brings me to another topic which I won't get into unless you're interested...(the environment you use).

There are herbal pads you can apply that stick on your back on sore spots (usually found in Chinese massage places)...they have a cooling effect for inflamed muscles (sort of like Tiger Balm).

I also paid a king's ransom for one of these Nada Chairs: http://nadachair.homestead.com/ It's incredibly soothing for a sore low back and helps to align the whole back, especially if you're seated on a cushion - or combine it with a nice meditation bolster/cushion. The straps are a bit hard on the shins after a while though - but it's super portable and I like it a lot.

I don't agree with the fellow who said to live with the pain. It's not what my teacher says and it doesn't make for a very fruitful meditation (unless you're a masochist).

Good luck!

[Gem]

I haven't got painful health conditions, but have done a bit of meditating.

When I work seriously, I meditate continuously for days, I just get up for five minutes or so every two hours... have meals twice a day... and sleep for 6 hours.

During that period there is quite some pain, but I remain still and undisturbed and continue the meditation undistracted, and here comes a painful sensation for a while it remains, and it goes away in good time.

I would not porposefully inflict pain upon myself, but it does happen, and the trick is to have no mental reaction at all.

Of course meditative experience and experiences are very pleasant, but I never try to have a pleasent experience, just like I never try to have a painful one, thus I never purposely inflict pleasure on myself either.

Our mind game is to react. We habitually react with dislike when the pain occurs and have severe aversions to anything unpleasant, and when pleasure occurs we begin the desire, greed and clinging for it.

That is the agitated mind running from unpleasent things while chasing something nice. How can you be still if running away and chasing?

In very long meditation periods there is only 'this feeling', no aversion to pain, theres no desire for pleasure, there's only quiet and balanced disposition while sensations/feelings come and go.