Practice Point #68 - Sitting Meditation Position

I received a question from Lilas from France. Their question is...

I want to sit cross legged but even if i am sitting on a cushion, after 30min - 1hour ,I feel so much pain in my ankles and on the end of the spine . It is quite impossible to straighten my legs right away and it is so painful....please help me to do exercices so gain on flexibility with my ankles, knees in order to sit naturally and comfortably in such a simple asana for meditation. Thanks in advance and thank you so much for your valuable tips.

What you experience is normal.

Sitting for a long period in one position inhibits blood flow to the joints and this is why you experience the discomfort in the pose and when moving out of the position.

Why do you want to sit in one position for so long without changing position.

I would just suggest that you try sitting on more height, change the crossing of the legs and also use blanket support under the ankles and knees.

More specifically I would roll a blanket or towel and place it under the cross of the ankles. The rolled towel will be pointing away from you.

The second rolled towel or blanket I would wrap around the ankle/shin so that each end lays under the outer thigh. This will help level the knees and reduce the imbalance.

Be gentle and look after your body, it is the home of your soul and like a temple we want to care for it like that of a child.