I can't sit? I don't believe this! [Bob asks]

[Bob]

Occasionally, I've had to sit for long periods of time -- being an audience member for 5+ hours or so. 

After about 30 minutes, my body begins to feel way too tense.  I keep looking at watch, wondering how much longer I have to sit there.  After awhile, just sitting becomes pure toture.  I start feeling sore.  I get anxious.  Parts of my body start to ache.  I can't concentrate.  I get worn out from just sitting.  I can't believe that.   I would think sitting would be one of the easiest things in the world.  Apparently not.

Has anyone else experienced this? 

Does anyone know the cause for this?  Tension?, not enough sleep?, lack of exercise?

[krenske]

There are some places to sit that feel really quite nice. In fact, you were probably sitting for a fair while while you wrote this.

So sitting cannot be your problem.
You should look at where you are sitting.

It may be that if you have chosen to sit through a Mahler/Bruckner Symphony etc, that your body is reacting to the way these composers were so crap.

Also, perhaps you are in a lecture theatre. It would be easier to go instead to a movie, and worry about things later.

Anyway, try these things.
Feel free to get back to me with any questions.
Pete

[donjuan]

this feeling comes over me in Social Studies class when the teacher drones on and on and on and on and on and on and on about all this stuff I have to know for the exams but really dont give a damn about it all.  Yeah, the clock is the primary focus on days like that...

Maybe its just because I have a bony butt and when the material is too boring to hold my attention, I start thinking about my butt...
hahha
donjuan

[Bob]

Wise advice from Krenske....

The material's not all that engaging.  I do want to be there, but I'm not overly inspired by things.  There is a point though that sitting there overcomes the good of the information you get.  Ha... I guess I need to work on my "sitting endurance" and "sitting technique."

[Tash]

oh yeah when i'm quite tired and have to sit still for a long period of time i get really irritated and cannot feel comfortable unless i lie down, and i'm not even in a boring situation- one time i was watching lilo and stitch (i love that movie to bits) and another time i was in a music concert listening to messien's quartet for the end of time, which isnt the most interesting thing to listen to at 10pm after you've had 2 incredibly late nights in a row beforehand...

so i leave it to an uncomfortable chair and lack of sleep

[Spatula]

Many of the concerts I attend to listen to are about 2 hours long, speaking of which, I just returned from the CPO's performance of Andrew Lloyd Weber Musicals.  They usually break the program into two parts, and allow for a 15 minute intermission. 

I do admit that the symphonies really do get me "nausiated" somewhat especially stuff like Tchaikovsky's 5th, not saying it's bad or anything, but usually to pieces that I've not heard before, I find I'm not as attentive as I would be for something I know. 

In two weeks time the CPO is going to perform Beethovens PC # 2 with a guest concert pianist.  I shouldn't feel too bored or restless I hope.   

[Bob]

Yes, Tash... uncomfortable chair + lack of sleep.... not a good combination for sitting.

[Daniel_piano]

Occasionally, I've had to sit for long periods of time -- being an audience member for 5+ hours or so. 

After about 30 minutes, my body begins to feel way too tense.  I keep looking at watch, wondering how much longer I have to sit there.  After awhile, just sitting becomes pure toture.  I start feeling sore.  I get anxious.  Parts of my body start to ache.  I can't concentrate.  I get worn out from just sitting.  I can't believe that.   I would think sitting would be one of the easiest things in the world.  Apparently not.

Has anyone else experienced this? 

Does anyone know the cause for this?  Tension?, not enough sleep?, lack of exercise?

Do you experience the same thing when you stand still for long time too?
It seems to me a kind of vasovagal condition due probably to general nerves condition
Have you checked your homocysteine levels lately
They're kind of too high in the whole world population that don't supplement with vitamin B supplements expecially Vitamin B12
The reason for this worldwide deficiency seem to be a too high level of sterilization and sanitation that is found to kill the air and soil bacterias usefull for the proper function of your organism

Daniel

[xvimbi]

I get worn out from just sitting.  I can't believe that.   I would think sitting would be one of the easiest things in the world.  Apparently not.

Hilarious! But seriously, have you ever watched how singers or narrators at a classical concert sit? They don't get up much and often have to sit for a long time before they sing. They usually have excellent posture. Just watching them get up and sit back down again is a pleasure.

The ideal posture is the one where there is no tension in the muscles. The weight of the body is balanced on the key joints (neck, hips, ankles, shoulders to some degree). The idea is to not do anything, i.e. use as little muscle action as possible to sit or stand. This is pretty much at the heart of the Alexander Technique. This is very difficult to achieve, but it is a life-transforming experience once it has been managed.

BTW, don't expect to be able to sit if you can't stand. It's all connected.