658 From: "Greg" <trian3@charter.net>
Date: Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:16pm
Subject: Siddhasana - Need help trian3
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Hi guys,
It's me again and once again, I could use some clarification on a
particular asana. This time, it's a meditative pose - Siddhasana. In
Light on Yoga, this pose looks quite easy, but in practice it's a
different matter. I'm quite flexible, so that's not the issue. The
issue is simple body mechanics. How do you place the heel of one foot
at the perineum and the heel of the other against the pubic bone (I'm
assuming you place it directly *over* the genitals) without... well,
if you're not a eunuch? I guess you could say this is a case of
getting in one's own way.
Any possible "adjustments" I've found
have been rather... distracting. So, any advice from the male
practitioners?
Thank you,
Greg M.
660 From: "obsidian9999" <obsidian9999@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:03pm
Subject: Re: Siddhasana - Need help obsidian9999
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Greg,
I'm not familiar with 'Light on Yoga'. Look at lesson 75 in Yogani's
instructions. Do they work better?
Yogani says not to do it on a hard surface. I'd add, don't do it on a
purely flat surface. I believe that's a mistake (not one that Yogani's
making, but it does get said). (It's a center-of-gravity thing; it
it's totally flat, you'll need undesirable muscle-engagement to
maintain the posture. This is true for all lotus-like postures. In
siddhasana, the problem is even more significant.) You'll need to
raise your butt up a little (maybe a 2- 5 cm depending on your body),
so you can sit on the edge of a cushion, or even a folded towel. I
consider this detail more important than Yogan's instruction to use
back-support, which you might not need, being flexible.
Worry about the heel that is against the perineum. Get that right.
You are half-sitting on it.
Place the other leg on your opposite thigh. Working OK? You may,
using your hand, pull slide your upper foot closer to your body so it
get's closer to your pubic bone. But the support is from the opposite
thigh, not the pubic bone. Don't put it 'on' the pubic bone for
reasons you mentioned.
Your genitals will be happily ensconced sort of between upper and lower
foot, with no squishing. The arrangement is not quite symmetric,
however.
Does that work?
-David
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" <trian3@c...> wrote:
>
>
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" <trian3@c...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi guys,
>
> It's me again and once again, I could use some clarification on a
> particular asana. This time, it's a meditative pose - Siddhasana. In
> Light on Yoga, this pose looks quite easy, but in practice it's a
> different matter. I'm quite flexible, so that's not the issue. The
> issue is simple body mechanics. How do you place the heel of one foot
> at the perineum and the heel of the other against the pubic bone (I'm
> assuming you place it directly *over* the genitals) without... well,
> if you're not a eunuch? I guess you could say this is a case of
> getting in one's own way.
Any possible "adjustments" I've found
> have been rather... distracting. So, any advice from the male
> practitioners?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Greg M.
665 From: victor yj <vic@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue Apr 12, 2005 0:02am
Subject: Re: Re: Siddhasana - Need help vic
Offline
Send Email
I agree completely with obsidian. One thing that got
me stuck for awhile was that in Iyengars book his
heels looked directly over each other but in my case
they are not. We all have different body structures
(leg length proportions etc.) -and trying to make this
pose completely symmetrical give more trouble than it
is worth. The pelvis should be well balanced and the
legs neutral, not straining or even really stretching.
The bottom heel should be as close to under the
perineum as is comfortable with the "package" over the
heel, the top heel is over the "package" somewhere
near the center but comfortable and the toes of both
feet gently tucked in between the thighs and calves of
the opposite leg. a folded blanket under the seat with
the kness off helps the balance of the pose.
the -- obsidian9999 <obsidian9999@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Greg,
>
> I'm not familiar with 'Light on Yoga'. Look at
> lesson 75 in Yogani's
> instructions. Do they work better?
>
> Yogani says not to do it on a hard surface. I'd
> add, don't do it on a
> purely flat surface. I believe that's a mistake
> (not one that Yogani's
> making, but it does get said). (It's a
> center-of-gravity thing; it
> it's totally flat, you'll need undesirable
> muscle-engagement to
> maintain the posture. This is true for all
> lotus-like postures. In
> siddhasana, the problem is even more significant.)
> You'll need to
> raise your butt up a little (maybe a 2- 5 cm
> depending on your body),
> so you can sit on the edge of a cushion, or even a
> folded towel. I
> consider this detail more important than Yogan's
> instruction to use
> back-support, which you might not need, being
> flexible.
>
> Worry about the heel that is against the perineum.
> Get that right.
> You are half-sitting on it.
>
> Place the other leg on your opposite thigh. Working
> OK? You may,
> using your hand, pull slide your upper foot closer
> to your body so it
> get's closer to your pubic bone. But the support is
> from the opposite
> thigh, not the pubic bone. Don't put it 'on' the
> pubic bone for
> reasons you mentioned.
>
> Your genitals will be happily ensconced sort of
> between upper and lower
> foot, with no squishing. The arrangement is not
> quite symmetric,
> however.
>
> Does that work?
>
> -David
>
>
> --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg"
> <trian3@c...> wrote:
> >
> >
> --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg"
> <trian3@c...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hi guys,
> >
> > It's me again and once again, I could use some
> clarification on a
> > particular asana. This time, it's a meditative
> pose - Siddhasana. In
> > Light on Yoga, this pose looks quite easy, but in
> practice it's a
> > different matter. I'm quite flexible, so that's
> not the issue. The
> > issue is simple body mechanics. How do you place
> the heel of one foot
> > at the perineum and the heel of the other against
> the pubic bone (I'm
> > assuming you place it directly *over* the
> genitals) without... well,
> > if you're not a eunuch? I guess you could say
> this is a case of
> > getting in one's own way.
Any possible
> "adjustments" I've found
> > have been rather... distracting. So, any advice
> from the male
> > practitioners?
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > Greg M.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ 670 From: "jim_and_his_karma" <jim_and_his_karma@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue Apr 12, 2005 1:04am
Subject: Re: Siddhasana - Need help jim_and_his_...
Offline
Send Email
David, forgive a couple of quibbles
"Yogani says not to do it on a hard surface"
Not exactly...he says that most people will find it very uncomfortable to do so.
"Don't put it 'on' the pubic bone for reasons you mentioned"
the two web pages I linked to earlier in the thread do direct you to put foot directly on
pubic bone. Perhaps we're miscommunicating; if you and Greg would have a look at those
pages and report back, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I've not been practicing in siddhasana because of a sprained ankle (which takes a LONG
time to heal to the point of being able to bear that weight for 20 mins), so I can't add
much from personal experience.
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "obsidian9999" <obsidian9999@y...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Greg,
>
> I'm not familiar with 'Light on Yoga'. Look at lesson 75 in Yogani's
> instructions. Do they work better?
>
> Yogani says not to do it on a hard surface. I'd add, don't do it on a
> purely flat surface. I believe that's a mistake (not one that Yogani's
> making, but it does get said). (It's a center-of-gravity thing; it
> it's totally flat, you'll need undesirable muscle-engagement to
> maintain the posture. This is true for all lotus-like postures. In
> siddhasana, the problem is even more significant.) You'll need to
> raise your butt up a little (maybe a 2- 5 cm depending on your body),
> so you can sit on the edge of a cushion, or even a folded towel. I
> consider this detail more important than Yogan's instruction to use
> back-support, which you might not need, being flexible.
>
> Worry about the heel that is against the perineum. Get that right.
> You are half-sitting on it.
>
> Place the other leg on your opposite thigh. Working OK? You may,
> using your hand, pull slide your upper foot closer to your body so it
> get's closer to your pubic bone. But the support is from the opposite
> thigh, not the pubic bone. Don't put it 'on' the pubic bone for
> reasons you mentioned.
>
> Your genitals will be happily ensconced sort of between upper and lower
> foot, with no squishing. The arrangement is not quite symmetric,
> however.
>
> Does that work?
>
> -David
>
>
> --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" <trian3@c...> wrote:
> >
> >
> --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" <trian3@c...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hi guys,
> >
> > It's me again and once again, I could use some clarification on a
> > particular asana. This time, it's a meditative pose - Siddhasana. In
> > Light on Yoga, this pose looks quite easy, but in practice it's a
> > different matter. I'm quite flexible, so that's not the issue. The
> > issue is simple body mechanics. How do you place the heel of one foot
> > at the perineum and the heel of the other against the pubic bone (I'm
> > assuming you place it directly *over* the genitals) without... well,
> > if you're not a eunuch? I guess you could say this is a case of
> > getting in one's own way.
Any possible "adjustments" I've found
> > have been rather... distracting. So, any advice from the male
> > practitioners?
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > Greg M.
694 From: "obsidian9999" <obsidian9999@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:38am
Subject: Re: Siddhasana - Need help obsidian9999
Offline
Send Email
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "jim_and_his_karma"
<jim_and_his_karma@y...> wrote:
> "Don't put it 'on' the pubic bone for reasons you mentioned"
>
> the two web pages I linked to earlier in the thread do direct you
to put foot directly on
> pubic bone. Perhaps we're miscommunicating; if you and Greg would
have a look at those
> pages and report back, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Jim,
I don't think the instruction to put the foot on the pubic bone
work. I am familiar with Greg's experience; place, say, left heel
at the perineum. Try placing your right heel or foot 'on' the pubic
bone --- it doesn't work. Your genitals are in the way. Do you want
them squished flat? Not me and Greg and Victor, it seems.
My modified instructions are ones that work. I'm wondering if the
instruction to place the place the heel "on" the pubic bone are
mistranslated or something? If you follow the instructions I gave,
your foot will be "over" the pubic bone but not on it.
Perhaps alternatively the idea of "on" is a sort of misguided
idealization? I think sometimes 'classical' or 'formal' postures are
non-optimal in their 'extent', and derive from some sort of notion
that is not properly based on experience or optimality.
Likewise, while a posture 'symmetric' in the sense that one heel is
directly above the other, may be some sort of idealization, I don't
find it to be ideal, and Victor seems to agree with me here.
-David,
Balls-Protector of the Realm
>
> I've not been practicing in siddhasana because of a sprained ankle
(which takes a LONG
> time to heal to the point of being able to bear that weight for 20
mins), so I can't add
> much from personal experience.
>
>
> --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "obsidian9999" <obsidian9999@y...>
wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Greg,
> >
> > I'm not familiar with 'Light on Yoga'. Look at lesson 75 in
Yogani's
> > instructions. Do they work better?
> >
> > Yogani says not to do it on a hard surface. I'd add, don't do
it on a
> > purely flat surface. I believe that's a mistake (not one that
Yogani's
> > making, but it does get said). (It's a center-of-gravity thing;
it
> > it's totally flat, you'll need undesirable muscle-engagement to
> > maintain the posture. This is true for all lotus-like postures.
In
> > siddhasana, the problem is even more significant.) You'll need
to
> > raise your butt up a little (maybe a 2- 5 cm depending on your
body),
> > so you can sit on the edge of a cushion, or even a folded
towel. I
> > consider this detail more important than Yogan's instruction to
use
> > back-support, which you might not need, being flexible.
> >
> > Worry about the heel that is against the perineum. Get that
right.
> > You are half-sitting on it.
> >
> > Place the other leg on your opposite thigh. Working OK? You
may,
> > using your hand, pull slide your upper foot closer to your body
so it
> > get's closer to your pubic bone. But the support is from the
opposite
> > thigh, not the pubic bone. Don't put it 'on' the pubic bone for
> > reasons you mentioned.
> >
> > Your genitals will be happily ensconced sort of between upper and
lower
> > foot, with no squishing. The arrangement is not quite
symmetric,
> > however.
> >
> > Does that work?
> >
> > -David
> >
> >
> > --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" <trian3@c...> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" <trian3@c...> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi guys,
> > >
> > > It's me again and once again, I could use some clarification on
a
> > > particular asana. This time, it's a meditative pose -
Siddhasana. In
> > > Light on Yoga, this pose looks quite easy, but in practice it's
a
> > > different matter. I'm quite flexible, so that's not the
issue. The
> > > issue is simple body mechanics. How do you place the heel of
one foot
> > > at the perineum and the heel of the other against the pubic
bone (I'm
> > > assuming you place it directly *over* the genitals) without...
well,
> > > if you're not a eunuch? I guess you could say this is a case of
> > > getting in one's own way.
Any possible "adjustments" I've
found
> > > have been rather... distracting. So, any advice from the male
> > > practitioners?
> > >
> > > Thank you,
> > >
> > > Greg M.
663 From: Dharma Mitra <dharmamitra2@gmail.com>
Date: Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:08pm
Subject: Re: - Need help bravenewdawn
Offline
Send Email
Hello Greg,
It's hard to argue with phyhsics in the effort to contain physiology.
Who'd've thunk it!
Between the feet of being well heeled, the most important one to
assure is in place is the one at the perinium. Yes, there is hope for
those who cannot place the heel in the prescribed locations, some
folks just don't have the joint tolerance to pretzel themselves even
into this asana.
For any men who may be unable to fold their legs into siddhasana, and
especially for those who want to practice the bandhas of the lower
chakras, it may be wise to utilize a semi-firm rubber ball to place at
the perinium to arrive at their desired results.
From time to time I discover that not all sisters know, that the
purposes of siddhasana is not served for them, it's just for men.
On Mon, 11 Apr 2005 22:16:41 -0000, Greg <trian3@charter.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi guys,
>
> It's me again and once again, I could use some clarification on a
> particular asana. This time, it's a meditative pose - Siddhasana. In
> Light on Yoga, this pose looks quite easy, but in practice it's a
> different matter. I'm quite flexible, so that's not the issue. The
> issue is simple body mechanics. How do you place the heel of one foot
> at the perineum and the heel of the other against the pubic bone (I'm
> assuming you place it directly *over* the genitals) without... well,
> if you're not a eunuch? I guess you could say this is a case of
> getting in one's own way.
Any possible "adjustments" I've found
> have been rather... distracting. So, any advice from the male
> practitioners?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Greg M.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
>
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
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> page.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
669 From: "jim_and_his_karma" <jim_and_his_karma@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue Apr 12, 2005 0:50am
Subject: Re: - Need help jim_and_his_...
Offline
Send Email
"From time to time I discover that not all sisters know, that the
purposes of siddhasana is not served for them, it's just for men"
Not true. See Siddha Yoni asana at:
http://www.eng.vedanta.ru/library/kundalini_tantra/3_posture.php 671 From: victor yj <vic@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue Apr 12, 2005 2:01am
Subject: Re: Re: - Need help vic
Offline
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Dharma,
are you the Dharma Mitra of Yoga poster fame? If so it is good to see you here. I took a class with you once in NY about 15 years ago.
About Siddhasana not being for women. I have heard that before. Certainly the genital anatomy is different yet it seems that it would be still a good meditation pose. What are the drawbacks for females and what pose would suit them better? Perhaps Badha Konasana?
Dharma Mitra <dharmamitra2@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Greg,
It's hard to argue with phyhsics in the effort to contain physiology.
Who'd've thunk it!
Between the feet of being well heeled, the most important one to
assure is in place is the one at the perinium. Yes, there is hope for
those who cannot place the heel in the prescribed locations, some
folks just don't have the joint tolerance to pretzel themselves even
into this asana.
For any men who may be unable to fold their legs into siddhasana, and
especially for those who want to practice the bandhas of the lower
chakras, it may be wise to utilize a semi-firm rubber ball to place at
the perinium to arrive at their desired results.
From time to time I discover that not all sisters know, that the
purposes of siddhasana is not served for them, it's just for men.
On Mon, 11 Apr 2005 22:16:41 -0000, Greg <trian3@charter.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi guys,
>
> It's me again and once again, I could use some clarification on a
> particular asana. This time, it's a meditative pose - Siddhasana. In
> Light on Yoga, this pose looks quite easy, but in practice it's a
> different matter. I'm quite flexible, so that's not the issue. The
> issue is simple body mechanics. How do you place the heel of one foot
> at the perineum and the heel of the other against the pubic bone (I'm
> assuming you place it directly *over* the genitals) without... well,
> if you're not a eunuch? I guess you could say this is a case of
> getting in one's own way.
Any possible "adjustments" I've found
> have been rather... distracting. So, any advice from the male
> practitioners?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Greg M.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
>
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
> You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group home
> page.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
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672 From: "azaz932001" <richardchamberlin14@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue Apr 12, 2005 6:46am
Subject: Re: - Need help azaz932001
Offline
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Hello there.
If you read lesson 28 in the Tantra section you will find clear
instructions on Siddhasana for both men and women. So it is quite wrong
to say Siddhisana is just for men.
Blessings R.C.
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, Dharma Mitra <dharmamitra2@g...> wrote:
>
> Hello Greg,
>
>
> From time to time I discover that not all sisters know, that the
> purposes of siddhasana is not served for them, it's just for men.
>
>
