Relief for Aching Sitters

I practiced zazen for about six years with lots of pain before I dropped the notion that it would magically get easier. Even in my early twenties I was already half or more as stiff as a corpse. Yoga helped open my pelvis and relieved my aching knees. A straight and relaxed back became something other than an oxymoron.

The point of Zen is not to suffer more nor is it about being more macho than anyone since Bodhidharma.

I’m not a yoga teacher and consider my ongoing practice to be “stretching” so as not to defile the ancient way of yoga (I usually stretch with Pandora or CNN).

Here are a few poses that I’ve found to be really helpful. My suggestions: practice daily, hold each pose for several minutes, enjoy relaxing into it, and work your edge without pushing too far.

Click the photo for detailed instructions and see the modifications tabs that follow the instructions if you are not flexible enough yet to approximate the pose. And find a good yoga teacher for help who will do individual sessions directed at supporting your zazen.