Absolute Beginner Series: Finding Your Comfortable Seat

Helen Camisa
Instructor Helen Camisa
5
Average: 5 (12 votes)
If you're having issues with the player:
Duration:
9
:
41

This class is all about finding a way to sit that works for your individual body. Once you find a seat that works for you, we will spend a few minutes grounding ourselves with yogic (ujjayi) breathing.This class can be done as a stand-alone session for relaxation and grounding, or you can follow it with the Absolute Beginner Series: Meditation for Body Connection.

Equipment: Block, Bolster, Blankets
Style: Gentle Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Plus Size Yoga

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Comments

n0e11e 10 months ago

Thanks so much for this! Seems like it's harder than it should be to find classes aimed at folks who are "absolute beginners" AND need some positioning mods.

I think I've got most of it figured out (using rolled-up towels and stuff since I don't have a bolster or blocks yet). I'm really surprised that sitting cross-legged ended up being the most comfortable for me overall. One thing I noticed is that my ankles do not like the cross-legged position at all. My left ankle in particular gets very sore very fast. (It is under my right leg, so I know bearing that weight is part of the problem, but I haven't worked out how to avoid that yet.) Anything I can do or use to ease the pressure / weight / pain on my ankles? Should I just start out in a chair and go from there? Or is this just part of positioning / moving my body in new ways and it'll get better with practice?

Helen Camisa 10 months ago

Thank you for this! I'm so glad to hear that you are exploring your options and listening to your body. If you are enjoying playing with sitting cross legged, then you could try one leg in front of the other so that nothing is stacked on the ankle. Alternatively, try just having the one leg bent in the cross legged position and the other extended out to the side. If all else fails, yes definitely start on a chair. This is a great way to get started. It's one thing to feel uncomfortable with new shapes, but when you say that you are sore then I suggest adjusting the posture. You don't want to cause pain. It will all get better with practice, but it's important to be soft with yourself and just allow your body to do it's thing. You've got the rest of your life to find a comfortable seat, so no rush. :)

EmBe 10 months ago

I have problems doing hero pose and appreciate your blanket modification. I’ve tried sitting on a block set upright and lengthwise, but it is uncomfortable. The blanket suggestion works so much better for my body

Helen Camisa 10 months ago

I'm so glad this worked for you! Sitting on blocks in hero does not feel good in my body either, so it's nice to find another way. Thank you for taking the time to comment! :)

Juliatml 12 months ago

Thank you very much for this class! Loved it. I have been practicing during my pregnancy and pos partum but I had to stop last 9 months. and I loved tom start again with doyogawithme.com.

Helen Camisa 11 months ago

Thank you for this and congrats on your baby!! I'm so glad that you have come back to your practice and that you chose to spend some time with me! I hope you enjoy the rest of the classes just as much. :)

BonnieR1965 1 year ago

Thank you so much for this series and this class in particular.
At one time I had a strong yoga practice. But not anymore. Added to that, I’ve gained 25+ pounds and had knee surgery; this body doesn’t like the typical poses that I used to be able to get into.
This was a perfect class for me because I’ve always had a challenging time getting into a seated posture.
Thank you so much again. I’m looking forward to going through all of the classes in this series.

Helen Camisa 11 months ago

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! Yoga can be very challenging, especially after knee surgery (I have a few students here in Vancouver who have recently had hip or knee surgeries) and so those seemingly simple shapes can pose their own challenges. When I was a brand new yogi, just sitting on the floor was so painful on my back (I think I love my couch too much) and I didn't think I would ever find a comfortable way to sit. But over time and with practice, my body relaxed in to it. I think the same is true when your body has changed due to injury, weight gain, inactivity, age etc. It can be harder for those people who previously had a practice because then we get in to that place of comparison which can derail everything. Allowing my practice to meet me in this body has been one of the greatest gifts I have ever given myself. You are in a different place and I hope that you allow your practice to unfold and meet you in a way that honors who you are now. Have fun exploring! <3

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