My feet fall asleep...

[LyraDragonStar]

Whenever I try meditating, my legs always fall asleep. Usually, I sit croslegged on the floor with my hands resting on my knees, palms up. However, I don't meditate often because I can't keep my legs crossed like that for too long otherwise my legs and feet will fall asleep. I think there is a problem here...any ideas. Maybe it involves my health, but I'm not sure...

[BrigidMoon]

I don't think it's odd or unhealthy. After a certain amount of time being in one place like that, your feet or hands (depending on the position you're in) will fall asleep.

No worries!

:)

[Kalandriel]

I would suggest getting a zafu!

[LyraDragonStar]

Ok. It just seems like they fall asleep too fast...like I don't have enough time to actually get my breathing under control or whatever. It's weird..

What's a Zafu????

[LadyTrinity]

I dont think there is anything wrong with your health. My feet, legs and arms fall alseep too quickly also. I was sitting at the table once with a friend and I have this habit of putting one leg crossed under the other ( hey! its comfortable) As we were done playing crazy 8's I went to get up and THUD!
My right leg was numb. It freaked me out because I didnt even feel it tingle like it usually does before it goes numb ( I HATE that feeling )
It took 1-2 min before my leg was better but I was like you im like omg do I have a health problem? LOL. Try meditating other ways. You dont need to cross your legs to meditate. :hehehe:

[Kendrah]

I think it's a good sign, really. It means you're going down very deep when you meditate. Have you ever been asleep but awake at the same time? And your whole body is "asleep"? Well, it's not a bad thing. In fact, a lot of astral travel/ OOB exercises ask that you put your whole body asleep before you attempt them.

So, I think you're on the right track.

[Nitefalle]

Try finding a really comfy chair and meditating that way. I've done some of my best vision questing while lying down. It all depends on what works for you. Even Yogis believe in modification for the individual. Don't ask more of your body than what it can give.

[Malcolm]

You could try sitting on a cushion. I tried laying down to meditate but I always ended up falling asleep.

[LyraDragonStar]

Yea...I'd try something else, but I feel best that way. Laying down always makes me fall asleep or feel like I should. Glad to know I'm not the only one though! :kooky:

Anyway, so Kendrah, if does mean that I'm going into 'deep' meditation, then how can I be sure? Do you know anywhere to look that I could get more information on this? I mean, I don't know if it's good or bad, or what.

I do have a chair in my bedroom, but I always try to meditate at night and I'm usually tired and wanting to go to sleep then. Anything comfortable makes me feel like sleeping and I can't focus that way.

Does that make sense?

[Kendrah]

No, I don't have any scientific proof, nor the inclination to go research it. I just know what I've read from various meditation and OOB books, and my own experiences with journeying (when I journey, my body tends to fall asleep as well, if I come out of it mid-journey.) And then, of course, the times I've woken up when my body was still asleep (strange!)

Sorry. :)

[aluokaloo]

I have the same problem, sometimes I try to meditate with my knees drawn up, or in child's pose.

[Theres]

you don't have to sit with your legs crossed. i always made sure my students were comforrtable before starting, whatever position you need to be in. if not you'll never 'get there'. i like to lie on my back with a pillow under my knees, but that's just me (actually my favorite place is in the tub ;) ).

in addition, i wouldn't say that this is a good thing. it's probably nothing, but it could be a sign of poor circulation. however it definitely has nothing to do with how 'deep' you are going. a good meditation will not make your limbs go numb... quite the opposite sometimes.

[Kendrah]

As a side note, I just asked on the my doctors (I work in a medical office) and he said it's a good sign if your legs fall asleep. To quote him, he said "it means you're getting way relaxed." So there's that. But who knows.

[yavanna]

That used to happen to me all the time LOL, now I'm used to sitting long periods of time so it doesn't happen anymore. You could try sitting differently or lying down during meditations instead.

[LyraDragonStar]

I guess I'll just try something else.

[jcldragon]

If your feet fall asleep that easily, you might have some circulation problems. Swimming, walking, Tai Chi or other Martial Arts are good for correcting that.

You might want to try meditating in a nice straight-backed chair in the afternoon. If you waiting until just before bedtime to meditate, you might as well do it while lying on your back in your bed. Your Astral activities at night while your body is sleeping, are guided by what you were doing just before you went to sleep, anyway. This way you can take full advantage of that.

[Kalandriel]

Ok. It just seems like they fall asleep too fast...like I don't have enough time to actually get my breathing under control or whatever. It's weird..

What's a Zafu????


A Zafu is a special meditation cushion, they're awesome. :)

[Xentor]

The blocking of blood is one of the ways to send one into meditative state. Unfortunately, the body tissue needs blood to survive.

In my classes, we sat on our legs, feet pointing backwards. New students used low wooden seats, no more than 3 wooden boards, just high enough to fit over one's feet, so we could sit on the seat instead of our feet, whilst maintaining the correct posture.

[LyraDragonStar]

Hmm..interesting. I think there must be something wrong with my circulation cuz today while watching a movie in 8th hour, I tried to cross my legs(girl style) or rest one ankle on the oposite knee (guy style..lol). My legs started falling asleep then too!! It's really starting to annoy me, actually.

If it is a circulation problem, what can I do at home to make it better? If it's a circulation problem, I'd go to the doctor if needed...but we don't have insurance, so I can't.

....

[Xentor]

I am a guy, I sit like that. My feet and legs fall asleep too after a while, have done that since I was born. I simply move my legs to let the blood flow.

[bbnflpn]

my legs always fall asleep, i always thought it was because i have a hip problem. (hip dyspliasia) it is not a real common problem for people more animals get it actually. even though i have had surgerys to fix the problem so i dont have to totaly be in a wheel chair. they still fall asleep no matter what i do. if i sit on the ground, i make sure that my left leg is out streight cause my right leg doesnt seem to fall asleep, when i meditate i lay down either on my back with my legs up on a pillow, or on my side with a body pillow supporting my left leg arm and breast. it takes alot of pressure off my hip that way. hmm maybe i should look in to one of them pillows too (i saw it on here i just dont remember what it is called i can look back easily to see what it is)

[Kalandriel]

They're called Zafus!
I just got one yesterday, tee hee, I loved the one I'd gotten my boyfriend, and couldn't live without it.
I'd suggest, if you get one, to get one with buckwheat filling... it conforms to your bum. :)

[LyraDragonStar]

Alrighty! I don't think I could get one...but I'll keep it in mind for the future when I have the chance. :)

[Kalandriel]

You can also try sitting on a small cushion that you might be able to find around the house, or a folded in half pillow, just so that there isn't so much pressure on the knees and legs. :)