Having trouble with lotus

OenKnows · 01-25-2007, 07:16 PM

I have been practicing yoga for nearly 2 months now; by myself through video and the net. Anyway my problem is the lotus pose! Every time i try it i can't get the feel of it, i can barely bend my right foot to the correct position and when i try to get my left foot over my right leg i feel like i am trying to bend my foot behind my head. Is there any other poses i can practice to become more flexible to do this pose, or is it technique that i am lacking?

InnerAthlete · 01-26-2007, 07:54 PM

Too soon in your practice for this pose based on what you've shared.
Work hip opening preps instead. This is not a technique issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OenKnows

I have been practicing yoga for nearly 2 months now; by myself through video and the net. Anyway my problem is the lotus pose! Every time i try it i can't get the feel of it, i can barely bend my right foot to the correct position and when i try to get my left foot over my right leg i feel like i am trying to bend my foot behind my head. Is there any other poses i can practice to become more flexible to do this pose, or is it technique that i am lacking?

waltmayo · 02-06-2007, 05:59 AM

I agree with InnerAthlete... much too soon. I was fairly flexible from the start of my practice... and it took me 18 months of almost daily practice before achieving lotus. You want to do a lot of cobblers, pigeon, double pigeon, seated forward fold in half lotus, etc. to develop the rotation needed.

What you are looking for is when you are seated... and you take one leg into half-lotus... firmly tucking the flexed foot into your hip crease... can you then lower the knee of that same leg to the floor? You'll have to have the flexibility... but also you'll have to rotate your sit bones back. Once the knee easily drops to the floor, you're ready to slide the other foot across and into its hip-crease. No knee to the floor... no lotus. If you force it, you really risk hurting yourself.

Walt

**xela** · 02-20-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waltmayo

I agree with InnerAthlete... much too soon. I was fairly flexible from the start of my practice... and it took me 18 months of almost daily practice before achieving lotus. You want to do a lot of cobblers, pigeon, double pigeon, seated forward fold in half lotus, etc. to develop the rotation needed.

What you are looking for is when you are seated... and you take one leg into half-lotus... firmly tucking the flexed foot into your hip crease... can you then lower the knee of that same leg to the floor? You'll have to have the flexibility... but also you'll have to rotate your sit bones back. Once the knee easily drops to the floor, you're ready to slide the other foot across and into its hip-crease. No knee to the floor... no lotus. If you force it, you really risk hurting yourself.

Walt

When you say "rotate your sit bones back" do you mean towards my knees or towards my back?

yogiforlife · 02-20-2007, 08:38 PM

I've been doing Yoga a lot longer than you and my hips are still fairly tight. I have problems doing that pose as well. I would suggest sticking to "pigeon" pose and "bound angle" for opening up your hips.

Hubert · 02-22-2007, 07:05 AM

I had the same problem. Only that I forced myself and almost ruined my knees. But I realised I have to work on other areas. I also realised that I was doing it because it is such a trademark posture for yoga, and I liked the image of me doing it. So it was mostly vanity.

Anyway, I started a thread called "padmasana practice", where I got quite nice answers how to prepare for this posture. Look it up, it might help you as well.

teresa · 02-23-2007, 01:14 AM

there is a good chapter in a book I have from the publishers of Yoga Journal. called "Growing A Lotus". The name of the book is "Living Yoga". It leads you through different asanas that open your hips and pelvis. Also try working into at first laying down with your feet against a wall, bent at right angles from the knees. Do half lotuses in that position slowing moving your foot more and more toward your center, use you hand to push away your knee and create resistance. Remember to keep your feet flexed when practicing as to not hurt your knees too. When you feel you are ready to move into full Lotus it is actually easier to get into from a supine position with the wall for leverage at first.. at least it was for me.

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01-25-2007, 07:16 PM	#1
OenKnows Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1	I have been practicing yoga for nearly 2 months now; by myself through video and the net. Anyway my problem is the lotus pose! Every time i try it i can't get the feel of it, i can barely bend my right foot to the correct position and when i try to get my left foot over my right leg i feel like i am trying to bend my foot behind my head. Is there any other poses i can practice to become more flexible to do this pose, or is it technique that i am lacking?

02-06-2007, 05:59 AM	#3
waltmayo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 2	I agree with InnerAthlete... much too soon. I was fairly flexible from the start of my practice... and it took me 18 months of almost daily practice before achieving lotus. You want to do a lot of cobblers, pigeon, double pigeon, seated forward fold in half lotus, etc. to develop the rotation needed. What you are looking for is when you are seated... and you take one leg into half-lotus... firmly tucking the flexed foot into your hip crease... can you then lower the knee of that same leg to the floor? You'll have to have the flexibility... but also you'll have to rotate your sit bones back. Once the knee easily drops to the floor, you're ready to slide the other foot across and into its hip-crease. No knee to the floor... no lotus. If you force it, you really risk hurting yourself. Walt

02-20-2007, 08:38 PM	#5
yogiforlife Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 71	I've been doing Yoga a lot longer than you and my hips are still fairly tight. I have problems doing that pose as well. I would suggest sticking to "pigeon" pose and "bound angle" for opening up your hips.

02-22-2007, 07:05 AM	#6
Hubert saptashata Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romania Posts: 737	I had the same problem. Only that I forced myself and almost ruined my knees. But I realised I have to work on other areas. I also realised that I was doing it because it is such a trademark posture for yoga, and I liked the image of me doing it. So it was mostly vanity. Anyway, I started a thread called "padmasana practice", where I got quite nice answers how to prepare for this posture. Look it up, it might help you as well.

02-23-2007, 01:14 AM	#7
teresa Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: florida Posts: 2	there is a good chapter in a book I have from the publishers of Yoga Journal. called "Growing A Lotus". The name of the book is "Living Yoga". It leads you through different asanas that open your hips and pelvis. Also try working into at first laying down with your feet against a wall, bent at right angles from the knees. Do half lotuses in that position slowing moving your foot more and more toward your center, use you hand to push away your knee and create resistance. Remember to keep your feet flexed when practicing as to not hurt your knees too. When you feel you are ready to move into full Lotus it is actually easier to get into from a supine position with the wall for leverage at first.. at least it was for me.