More time on the floor
Posted on 13. Jan, 2010 by Margaret in Yoga
When you think of sitting, you may think of chairs and sofas before you think of the floor. This is what seems natural to us modern day Westerners, but is it really what our bodies were designed to do? After all, humans were sitting long before desk chairs and couches were invented.
When I decided to turn my living room into a yoga studio, the furniture was replaced with some yoga mats, blankets and blocks. The couch was rarely used anyway, except when guests came over. Now, when we have guests, they are a little hesitant to sit on the floor, but after sitting on a blanket for awhile, they are surprised at how good it feels.
Spending more time on the floor in your daily life can have some real benefits. People living in floor cultures have more supple joints and stronger backs, and far better posture. So try spending some time today on the floor—squatting, kneeling, or just sitting. It might seem uncomfortable and awkward at first, but if you spend a little time doing this each day, try to do a little reading on the floor, you’ll find your joints begin to loosen, squatting will become more comfortable, and you’ll see your yoga practice improve.
Source: Yoga Journal
