Meditation - Correct Posture - Sitting Comfortably Article - Personality Development Spirituality Articles

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Meditation - correct posture - sitting comfortably

There is really no hard and fast rule on how you should sit. Priority should always be given to a meditating position that will keep you alert and aware, relaxed and comfortable. You can for example meditate very well sitting in a chair. There are however a couple of points to keep in mind -

Author: Sahayak Plowman

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CHAIR - If you have a chair with a straight back slide back so the base of your spine is just touching the back of the chair, now roll your hips forward until you are sitting on the bones of your bottom. The remainder of your spine should now be clear of the back of the chair given the natural S-curve of your spine. This spinal posture is desirable as it allows the continuous flow of subtle energies through the spinal region, aiding your meditations.

Or you can sit on the front section of any chair or flat stool, gently rolling your hips forward until you are once again sitting on the bones of your bottom. Modern office chairs are very good as they are supportive and have adjustments for your back, chair height and seat angle. In all cases keep your neck relaxed with your chin slightly tucked in, your shoulders gently rolled back and relaxed opening your chest for spacious breathing.

Relax the muscles on your face and tilt your head until you are looking down at a forty-five degree angle. Close your mouth, and place your tongue against the back of the teeth. It is recommended that you place your feet directly below your knees on the floor, not folded back cross-legged under the chair. Shoes should not be worn while meditating.

You may find a single seat lounge chair large enough to sit on to cross your legs. If you do make sure it has a firm base with lower back support only.

HANDS - The important aspect for your hands is that they should always be supported. You can place your hands comfortably on your lap or folded in front of your chest. The ideal position for folded hands is with the thumbs touching and palms together, resting them against the centre of your chest with your straightened fingers pointing upwards. Meditation teacher Sri Chinmoy says that, "folding your hands increases your soulfulness".

With your hands on your lap rest one with the open palm facing upwards, then place the other open palm inside that also facing upwards, allowing the thumbs to naturally close resting against each other. In this position have you hands close to your navel region. Two more hand techniques - slide your intertwined fingers together until your thumbs are overlapped, now turn the palms of your hands resting them on your lap facing your navel region. Or turn your palms over placing them on your thighs, with a ninety-degree bend in your elbows. In all cases do not have your hands too far forward as this will pull your shoulders forward rounding your shoulders and back.

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About Author

Sahayak Plowman has travelled extensively in S.E. Asia as a photographer. Through his wanderings he developed a love of meditation and its traditional practices. He is studying with meditation teacher Sri Chinmoy and updates a site about the books of Sri Chinmoy http://www.srichinmoybooks.com/

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Meditation - correct posture - sitting comfortably