Foot problems

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[TomanGaidin]

This'll sound weird, but I have a problem with my feet when it comes to sitting down properly in Aikido.

My feet are... well, to say the least, inflexible ;p. I should be sitting back on my heels, with the back of the feet roughly like - '/' that, albeit sloped down a bit more. I can't seem to manage to actually get my feet roughly in a straight line with my legs, to sit back down on my heels properly. So, I'm stuck with crossing my feet over and sitting down that way. Needless to say, this doesn't help me when I do sitting techniques.

So... I'm just wondering if anyone knows some good stretches or whatnot that I could do to slowly work my feet into allowing me to sit down properly?

Any help is appreciated. Thankee :).

[Anat Amitay]

Hi there

Actually there is no easy way to learn how to sit in seiza, but you can work on getting your ligaments and tendons streched and getting the whole joint more flexable.

one thing is sitting on the floor, feet forward, take one foot on top of the other leg (thigh) and hold it with your hand. strech it back and forth, strech each finger, hold your foot on the brige (the side of the sole) the other hand on the ankle, as safty, and turn it around. speed is not that important, reach maximum circular movement. do this to both sides (the circles, as well as both legs) :D

straighten your legs, put your hands on the floor at the sides of your body for support. bring your feet and fingers towards you (this is called dorsi flexion) as if you would walk on your heels when standing. hold for a while and release, do the same but pointing your fingers forward (called plantar flexion) as if you would walk on your finger tips.

except for that, sit in the aikido possition from time to time during the day, just for a minute, and more as time goes by. this way you will flex the joint without danger of taring anything.

remember, it is a long prosidure. for some it is easier, for some it isn't, but with time you can get better :)

Anat

[bob_stra]

So... I'm just wondering if anyone knows some good stretches or whatnot that I could do to slowly work my feet into allowing me to sit down properly?
Take two of these and call me in the morning ;-)

http://www.nas.com/~richf/low46.htm

http://www.nas.com/~richf/low18.htm

[TomanGaidin]

Thanks for the info and the links :).