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I think the best position for shakuhachi is the one in which you're =
actually blowing the flute instead of doing email.
That said, I believe seiza sitting is a strong position; like standing, =
it allows the spine to be straight and the the belly extended so that =
the lungs have plenty of room to expand. Of course, some of the best =
shakuhachi players I know rarely sit seiza style.
If your legs fall asleep in seiza sitting or in cross-legged meditation =
but you still want to do it, find a good Thai massage practitioner and =
have them show you the "blood stop" move on the upper thighs, which =
should eventually take care of that problem. (Thai massage was invented =
FOR the monks, so it has a number of features that are especially =
beneficial to meditative practice.)
OK, enough email, back to blowing in my favorite position, lying on my =
back.
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Derek Choice=20
To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu=20
Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 9:55 AM
Subject: Re: Sitting positions, tradition
Hey Brett...
I am sure this topic will open up a huge thread of viewpoints, and =
that's a good thing. It's been a little slow recently anyway.
I do agree that the primary approach to meditation should be on one's =
own terms, since it's benefits are intrinsicly unique to each one us. =
For me , I would say 70% of my 3-4 hour per day practice is spent =
reclined back in a chair, with my feet up, working on my embouchure for =
specific notes, grace notes, learning the notation, etc. I do, though, =
make a conscious effort to assure that the vertical positioning of the =
flute is in-line with how it will be in the sitting position, so the =
learning won't have to be shifted when sitting.
Since I have chosen to approach the Shakuhachi completely, the other =
30% is spent in the traditional position and sitting upright. For my =
very novice abilities, I do notice a little difference in something when =
in the Seiza. It is probably subjectively perceived, but nonetheless, =
the body of tone and encompassing mood seem more pronounced. That is, =
until I have to wiggle blood back into my legs, thus your point.
I wonder if it is "tradition only", and not factual, when a specific =
alignment of the body helps to move things beyond our physical state, be =
it "chakras", or whatever (a bit out of my element here). If even for =
fleeting moments here and there during pratice, I think the traditional =
approach is worth exploring for every individual seeking a potential =
something that may be gradually disappearing in our modern, sometimes =
misdirected cultures. Meaning, maybe there is a very valid, =
non-cultural reason certain sitting positions were adopted. Honestly, I =
don't know, but yourself and many others undoubtedly have far more =
meditation and instrument experience than I do, and probably understand =
things much more clearly.
I do enjoy the pursuit and, so far, the lttle gifts along the path. I =
agree, if physical pain becomes an issue, change what you are doing and =
find another way. Let the instrument be the guide.
:)
Humbly,
dvc
--------------------------------------------------
Derek Choice
http://home.earthlink.net/~soundwave1
(New Shakuhachi Links Page 08/02)
=
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
--------------------
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Bud=20
To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu=20
Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 7:21 AM
Subject: RE: Seiza sitting position... ouch... "Hello, legs?"
I won't get into it in detail and will avoid a long rant, but I =
think it is
time to let go of the militaristic approach and sit in comfortable =
positions
that are not physically damaging or painful, and allow students to =
enjoy the
meditation practices...
If this means letting go of some traditional forms, my apologies to =
some of
the more insistent teachers, but over 30 years of practice and =
watching the
physical damage and negative impact on meditation practice to many =
students
has convinced me that this is necessary, at least in the West.
Meditation practice should not be about pain in the legs. We should =
practice
meditation because it feels good and improves the quality of our =
lives...
pain is a natural warning that something is wrong in our approach.
Brett "Bud" Breitwieser (brettb@rajah.com)
Zen Site: http://zenbud.com
Rajah Networking: http://rajah.net
Walking, Trike, Greens: http://rajah.ws
The Dragon: http://rajah.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Stevenson [mailto:dave.stevenson@durham.ac.uk]
Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 3:48 AM
To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
Subject: Re: Seiza sitting position... ouch... "Hello, legs?"
Derek Choice / Funk Logic wrote:
>
> snip
>
> Does the proper positioning of a pillow, or any other technique, =
seem
> to allow progress and a conditioning for this position? Or, do a =
lot
> of players eventually migrate to a chair for most practice =
sessions?
> Alternatives?
>
a cushion(zafu) helps or you can easily make (or buy) a seiza bench.
http://www.zenmtnemp.com/sitting_benches.htm
but in the end its just a matter of getting used to it. Knee walking
(suwari waza?) helps but
this may be just because sitting seiza is a relief after doing knee
walking!
____________________________________________________
<a
=
hi">
=
____________________________________________________
<a =
hi">
=
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<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
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</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I think the best position for =
shakuhachi is the one=20
in which you're actually blowing the flute instead of doing =
email.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>That said, I believe seiza sitting is a =
strong=20
position; like standing, it allows the spine to be straight and the =
the=20
belly extended so that the lungs have plenty of room to expand. Of=20
course</FONT><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>, some of the best shakuhachi =
players I=20
know rarely sit seiza style.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>If your legs fall asleep in seiza =
sitting or in=20
cross-legged meditation but you still want to do it, find a good =
Thai=20
massage practitioner and have them show you the "blood stop" move on the =
upper=20
thighs, which should eventually take care of that problem. (Thai massage =
was=20
invented FOR the monks, so it has a number of features that are =
especially=20
beneficial to meditative practice.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>OK, enough email, back to blowing in my =
favorite=20
position, lying on my back.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr=20
style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV=20
style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
<A title=3Ddvc@funklogic.com href=3D"mailto:dvc@funklogic.com">Derek =
Choice</A>=20
</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A=20
title=3DShakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu=20
=
href=3D"mailto:Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu">Shakuhachi@communicatio=
n.ucsd.edu</A>=20
</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, August 12, 2002 =
9:55=20
AM</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Sitting positions, =
tradition</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Hey Brett...<BR><BR>I am sure this =
topic will=20
open up a huge thread of viewpoints, and that's a good =
thing. It's been a=20
little slow recently anyway.<BR><BR>I do agree that the primary =
approach to=20
meditation should be on one's own terms, since it's benefits are =
intrinsicly=20
unique to each one us. For me , I would say 70% of my 3-4 hour =
per day=20
practice is spent reclined back in a chair, with my feet up, working =
on my=20
embouchure for specific notes, grace notes, learning the notation, =
etc. =20
I do, though, make a conscious effort to assure that the vertical =
positioning=20
of the flute is in-line with how it will be in the sitting position, =
so the=20
learning won't have to be shifted when sitting.<BR><BR>Since I have =
chosen to=20
approach the Shakuhachi completely, the other 30% is spent in the =
traditional=20
position and sitting upright. For my very novice abilities, I do =
notice=20
a little difference in <EM>something </EM>when in the Seiza. It is =
probably=20
subjectively perceived, but nonetheless, the body of tone and =
encompassing=20
mood seem more pronounced. That is, until I have to wiggle =
blood=20
back into my legs, thus your point.<BR><BR>I wonder if it is =
"tradition only",=20
and not factual, when a specific alignment of the body helps to move =
things=20
beyond our physical state, be it "chakras", or whatever (a bit out of =
my=20
element here). If even for fleeting moments here and there =
during=20
pratice, I think the traditional approach is worth exploring for every =
individual seeking a potential something that may be gradually =
disappearing in=20
our modern, sometimes misdirected cultures. Meaning, maybe there =
is a=20
very valid, non-cultural reason certain sitting positions were =
adopted. =20
Honestly, I don't know, but yourself and many others undoubtedly have =
far more=20
meditation and instrument experience than I do, and probably =
understand things=20
much more clearly.<BR><BR>I do enjoy the pursuit and, so far, the =
lttle gifts=20
along the path. I agree, if physical pain becomes an issue, =
change what=20
you are doing and find another way. Let the instrument be the=20
=
guide.<BR><BR>:)<BR><BR>Humbly,<BR><BR>dvc<BR><BR></FONT>----------------=
----------------------------------<BR>Derek=20
Choice<BR><A=20
=
href=3D"http://home.earthlink.net/~soundwave1">http://home.earthlink.net/=
~soundwave1</A><BR>(New=20
Shakuhachi Links Page=20
=
08/02)<BR>---------------------------------------------------------------=
------------------------------</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE=20
style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV=20
style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
<A title=3Dbud@rajah.com href=3D"mailto:bud@rajah.com">Bud</A> =
</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A=20
title=3DShakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu=20
=
href=3D"mailto:Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu">Shakuhachi@communicatio=
n.ucsd.edu</A>=20
</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, August 12, 2002 =
7:21=20
AM</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> RE: Seiza sitting =
position...=20
ouch... "Hello, legs?"</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>I won't get into it in detail and will avoid a long =
rant, but=20
I think it is<BR>time to let go of the militaristic approach and sit =
in=20
comfortable positions<BR>that are not physically damaging or =
painful, and=20
allow students to enjoy the<BR>meditation practices...<BR><BR>If =
this means=20
letting go of some traditional forms, my apologies to some of<BR>the =
more=20
insistent teachers, but over 30 years of practice and watching=20
the<BR>physical damage and negative impact on meditation practice to =
many=20
students<BR>has convinced me that this is necessary, at least in the =
West.<BR><BR>Meditation practice should not be about pain in the =
legs. We=20
should practice<BR>meditation because it feels good and improves the =
quality=20
of our lives...<BR>pain is a natural warning that something is wrong =
in our=20
approach.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>Brett "Bud" Breitwieser (<A=20
href=3D"mailto:brettb@rajah.com">brettb@rajah.com</A>)<BR>Zen Site: =
<A=20
href=3D"http://zenbud.com">http://zenbud.com><BR>Rajah =
Networking: <A=20
href=3D"http://rajah.net">http://rajah.net><BR>Walking, Trike, =
Greens: <A=20
href=3D"http://rajah.ws">http://rajah.ws><BR>The Dragon: <A=20
=
href=3D"http://rajah.org">http://rajah.org><BR><BR><BR><BR>-----Origin=
al=20
Message-----<BR>From: Dave Stevenson [<A=20
=
href=3D"mailto:dave.stevenson@durham.ac.uk">mailto:dave.stevenson@durham.=
ac.uk</A>]<BR>Sent:=20
Monday, August 12, 2002 3:48 AM<BR>To: <A=20
=
href=3D"mailto:Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu">Shakuhachi@communicatio=
n.ucsd.edu</A><BR>Subject:=20
Re: Seiza sitting position... ouch... "Hello,=20
legs?"<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>Derek Choice / Funk Logic=20
wrote:<BR><BR>><BR>> snip<BR>><BR>> Does the proper =
positioning=20
of a pillow, or any other technique, seem<BR>> to allow progress =
and a=20
conditioning for this position? Or, do a lot<BR>> of =
players=20
eventually migrate to a chair for most practice sessions?<BR>>=20
Alternatives?<BR>><BR><BR>a cushion(zafu) helps or you can easily =
make=20
(or buy) a seiza bench.<BR> <A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.zenmtnemp.com/sitting_benches.htm">http://www.zenmtnem=
p.com/sitting_benches.htm</A><BR><BR>but=20
in the end its just a matter of getting used to it. Knee =
walking<BR>(suwari=20
waza?) helps but<BR>this may be just because sitting seiza is a =
relief after=20
doing=20
=
knee<BR>walking!<BR><BR>_________________________________________________=
___<BR>By=20
default, replies to this message will go to the whole =
list.<BR>Please check=20
the To: line to make sure your reply is going to the<BR>appropriate=20
subscription=20
data=20
=
goto:<BR><a<BR>href=3D"http://communication.ucsd.edu:88/guest/RemoteLi=
stSummary/shakuhachi"><BR><A=20
=
A></a><BR><BR><BR>_________________________________________________=
___<BR>By=20
default, replies to this message will go to the whole =
list.<BR>Please check=20
the To: line to make sure your reply is going to the<BR>appropriate=20
subscription=20
data goto:<BR><a=20
=
hi"><BR><A=20
=
A></a><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>
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