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Various meditative postures have been used in meditation. Sitting, supine, and standing postures are used. The bodily positions applied during Yoga are found at the Wikipedia page Asana. Most well known in the Buddhist and Hindu traditions, as well as in their modern forms, are the full-lotus, half-lotus, Burmese, and kneeling positions. Meditation can also be practiced while walking, such as kinhin, or doing simple repetitive tasks, as in Zen samu, or work which encourages mindfulness. ==Cross-legged postures== Cross legged sitting helps create a stable base for meditation. Several seated asanas are practiced such as full-lotus, half-lotus, easy crossed legs, or siddhasana ("perfect pose"). Sitting on the heels is possible, among other positions. Seated meditation cushions are often used to help extend meditative time and serve to elevate the hips and spine into proper alignment Sitting cross-legged (or upon one's knees) for extended periods when one is not sufficiently limber, can result in a range of ergonomic complaints called "meditator's knee". These are common and may be endured for long periods of time in extensive meditation retreats,〔Insight Yoga with Sarah Powers〕〔The Three Pillars of Zen, edited by Philip Kapleau〕 however caution is often advised, and the guidance of an instructor or 'guru' is often sought extensively. In the full-lotus, half-lotus and Burmese positions, used in Buddhism and Hinduism, it is often said〔 that the spinal column must be kept "straight," that is, the individual should sit erect but relaxed, by balancing the torso such that the spinal column supports it in a natural way. One should feel comfortable and rest in a simple and unstrained way. Sitting on a cushion that elevates the pelvis as high as or higher than the knees and then slightly rolling the pelvis forward makes it easier to keep the spine upright. It is said in multiple traditions that the chin should be slightly tucked in, the tongue pressed against the roof of the mouth, lips lightly pressed together shoulders back. Those traditions related to kundalini yoga, take a less formal approach. While the basic practice in these traditions is also to sit still quietly in a traditional posture, they emphasize the possibility of kriyas – spontaneous yogic postures, changes in breathing patterns or emotional states, or perhaps repetitive physical movements such as swaying, etc., which may naturally arise as the practitioner sits in meditation, and which should not be resisted but rather allowed to express themselves to enhance the natural flow of energy through the body. This is said to help purify the nadis and ultimately deepen one's meditative practice.〔Smith 1986, p. 69.〕 Cross-legged postures, especially those such as the full-lotus, may be difficult due to a lack of familiarization. Most Westerners are not used to sitting in cross-legged positions for extended periods of time. For this reason Westerners are often advised to use a chair or a bench until they are ready for the traditional cross-legged positions. Yoga and stretching also are applicable as a means of developing the flexibility needed for the cross-legged postures. If practiced routinely and done correctly, full-lotus is easy to maintain for long periods of time without discomfort, as muscular effort is used only keep the spine balanced, and not to support the weight of the torso. Often this posture is explained as a way of encouraging the circulation of what some call "spiritual energy," the "vital breath", the "life force" (Sanskrit ''prana'', Chinese ''qi'', Latin ''spiritus'') or the Kundalini. It is said that one's meditation will not be as good if one's posture is not so good.〔both Lama Gursam, a yogi raised in a Tibetan monastery, and Khenpo Nyima Gyaltsen, a teacher at the Drikung Kagyu college, have told me this〕 ==Other postures== In various traditions people meditate by sitting on a chair, flat-footed and without back support (as in New Thought); sitting on a stool (as in Orthodox Christianity); or walking (in Therevada Buddhism); or walking in mindfulness, which is known as kinhin (in Zen Buddhism). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Meditative postures」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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