Asansa, The Lotus Position, Impossible? Options

Have been sitting in asana for a good few yers now, basically corss legged and yet after all this time I still can't manage to sit properly for more than a few minutes. Can basically do a 1/4 lotus, not a full half, leg on upper thigh but its fustrating. Sat comfortably the other day and realized that its the essence to a good practice, all that shifting and shuffling during the MP or general meditation just dosen't cut it... throws everythnig off. Main thing I'm trying for now is a full lotus, a stable position that keeps the back straight and energy flowing for an undisclosed period of time.

Can anyone here do the full lotus? How did you achive it and how long did it take?

Peace
.M.

When Im worried about my legs falling asleep, I roll up my yoga mat and sit on it, letting your knees rest more lightly on the floor. It lets your hips be a little more extended and comfortable, allowing you to sit in that position for longer periods of time.

Spot on!
As an avid practitioner of Yoga and meditation, I totally agree with your advice.

Interesting, thanks for the comments... don't normally chart my progress by way of time, take my journal for granted, but from February 2009 to now October 2010 with a near daily practice I can now do the full lotus and hook my feet around my thighs... ok... that sounds lame perhaps, such a long time attempting a position but it wasn't my only focus during that period of time .lol. granted I can't sit in it for long but it'll get there now I can do it.

Note that like many yoga positions its more about the thighs than the knees. Yoga seems to be all ball socket stuff when you look at it.

.M.