Seiza derives from two Japanese words: "sei", meaning correct, and "za", meaning "to sit".
Seiza (正座) is a traditional Japanese sitting style that has its origins in the samurai era. It's also known as seiza-dachi, which literally translates to "correct sitting." Seiza is a way to correct posture and maintain good health, but it can also help clear your mind for meditation and focus during other activities. Seiza allows us to sit longer without experiencing back pain or feeling tired afterward. The longer we sit in seiza, the more benefits we gain from it - both physically and mentally!
Seiza can take years to master.
It's a lifelong practice, and one that can take years to master. It's no small feat to be able to sit in the perfect seiza position for hours at a time. Practitioners of the art must remain focused on their breathing and continue practising even when they feel pain or discomfort from sitting in this position for long periods of time. This reliable dedication has been proven as an effective way for people to improve their overall health and well-being by
improving posture and
reducing back pain.
Seiza is a sitting style that has its origins in Japan.
The name seiza derives from the Japanese words 'sei' and 'za'. Sei means correct, while za literally translates as sitting. So together they mean “correct sitting”. Seiza is a traditional Asian Buddhist style of sitting that's been around since the 6th century. It was originally practiced by Samurai warriors who used to sit on their knees or ankles during battle to be ready for action at any time (if you've ever seen anime, this is probably familiar).
The practice was first adopted by Samurai warriors to find stillness before battle.
While its exact history is shrouded in mystery, many believe that the practice was first adopted by Samurai warriors between the 12th-16th centuries as a way to find stillness before battle. In their training, they learned to use their mind and body together for maximum efficiency. They were taught to be mindful of every action, from how they sat on a horse or prepared their armour for battle. When it was time for actual combat, there would be no hesitation or wasted movement. This method teaches you to be present in every moment of your lives by being aware of both your bodies and minds at all times. Seiza is used in meditation and formal ceremonies, but it can be used anywhere you want to sit with good posture. The basic method of sitting on the floor with your legs folded underneath you is called suwari-waza. There are many variations of this basic posture, some more extreme than others!
Sitting down in
seiza style on a tatami mat is typical during a tea ceremony. The seiza bench is best for the kneeling position as it eases the strain on the back, knees and foot. Ancient Japanese standards for a sitting posture dictate this etiquette. For Japanese people, this is a formal sitting position in formal gatherings. The
seiza posture enables flexibility and gives enhanced functionality to the right leg and knee joints.
Another popular belief is that seiza originated as a method for people to sit down without disturbing their formal attire.
Another popular belief is that seiza originated as a method for people to sit down without disturbing their formal attire or disturbing tea ceremony accessories, such as folded napkins or plates. It soon became widespread within samurai culture as an important element of training. Samurai would practice sitting in seiza to ensure they could keep their balance on horseback. The military application of seiza is still seen today in Japan's armed forces, where soldiers will sit on the floor during morning formation, cross-legged and facing each other while they wait to receive instructions from their commanding officers.
Proper seiza seating maintains correct posture during meditation or mindfulness practices.
Seiza is a way of sitting that corrects posture, adding years to life. It is used in meditation, mindfulness practices and yoga. Seiza involves placing the legs together and lowering yourself onto both knees so that your buttocks touch the floor. The tops of your feet should be touching and your calves should be parallel to one another. Your hands should rest on your thighs with palms facing upwards. Your head should be aligned with the spine so you can breathe deeply without hunching over or slouching down during this seated position as it can cause back problems later in life if done incorrectly for long periods of time, like at work!
How To Do Seiza
The key thing about sitting seiza style is to keep an erect back. It's even better if you can slightly tilt your upper body backwards while keeping your head upright with no strain on the neck - this means you should be leaning slightly back rather than forwards when sitting cross-legged in seiza. If this isn't possible for you yet, then there are other options such as placing a cushion under each hip or simply changing positions so that one leg is crossed over the other (but still maintaining an upright posture).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you sit in seiza without pain?
The secret to sitting in seiza without pain is to do it slowly, and to make sure you're doing the pose correctly. When you sit in seiza, your thighs should be parallel to the floor. Make sure your knees are at a 90-degree angle so that your legs are square. If you have a hard time getting your legs into this position, try sitting on a pillow or cushion until you get used to the feeling of it. Once you're able to sit comfortably in that position for about 20 minutes, then start working on improving your posture by keeping your back straight and leaning forward slightly from the hips (instead of slumping). If you still experience pain in this position after practicing for several weeks, then it might be time to see a doctor who can help diagnose what's causing the pain and give recommendations for treatment options!
Is sitting on the ground better than a chair?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes. Sitting on the ground is better than sitting in a chair for many reasons, including:
It's healthier for your back and spine. The way you sit can affect your posture, which can lead to back pain and other health problems.
It's more comfortable. Sitting on the ground will help you relax and unwind, making it easier for you to fall into a state of deep relaxation.
How long can you sit in seiza?
It depends. If you're doing seiza for a short period of time, you can sit for about 20 minutes without any issues. If you're going to be sitting longer than that, it's important to take breaks, and make sure you get up and move around every once in a while. It's always a good idea to practice seiza for short periods of time when you're first learning the position. It's easy to get tired, and it takes time to build up your strength and endurance in your legs.
Is seiza good for the spine?
Seiza is a great way to strengthen the spine, especially if you do it regularly. The more you practice seiza, the stronger your core muscles will become. The idea behind seiza is that you're able to keep your spine in a straight line by putting all of your weight on your heels and sitting cross-legged. If you have good flexibility and balance, this can be a great way to keep your spine in alignment and prevent back pain. But if you're not used to seiza or don't have the flexibility required to sit on your heels, then seiza can be harmful. You can end up putting too much pressure on your lower back when you sit like this, which could lead to pain or injury. If you want to try out seiza, start slow. Work up to it over time by sitting cross-legged for longer periods of time with less pressure on your heels. When you feel ready for more advanced positions like seiza, make sure that you're using proper posture when practising them so that they don't cause damage!
How can deskworkers benefit from good posture?
Most deskworkers are experiencing issues due to poor posture. Only physical therapy and seiza style sitting can rectify bad posture. The right physical therapist can not only improve your posture but also relieve muscle tension, fix rounded shoulders, neck pain, lower back pain, muscle fatigue, and much more. Posture problem is caused when a person does not take frequent breaks, causing muscle strain, forward head posture, and muscle imbalances. For healthy living, abdominal muscles, shoulder blade, dynamic posture, ergonomics proper alignment of the spine, and sports medicine are the key to better posture. An ideal posture or perfect posture can only be achieved with the right exercise that strengthens your core muscle and stomach muscles. Your posture corrector is not a brace, but a posture expert who can help you stretch your spine and achieve neutral position in your standing posture.