Most forms of meditation require the person to sit in a comfortable position. You can do this by getting a mat or a chair. But since this does not always make you feel at ease, someone decided to make meditation cushions.
What is a meditation cushion? Basically these are aids in meditation that do not offer any back support because they help lengthen the spine and correct your alignment so you are able to breathe better, increase blood flow and flexibility.
There are three types of meditation cushions around. These are namely the Zafus, the Zabutons and the seiza bench. What makes each different from the other? Well, the Zafus is a smile cushion that can be placed on the floor or over a kneeling bench. The Zabutons is a sitting mat which provides essential cushioning for the ankles, feet and legs. While the seiza bench is best for people who have knee problems.
The first two meditation cushions are used quite often in Zen meditation. But as meditation has become a popular form of alternative exercise, this has also been used in health clubs and fitness centers.
The three meditation cushions come in a variety of sizes and colors. How much do they cost? Any of the three meditation cushions mentioned cost from $30 to $60. You can easily acquire them by going to a specialty store or buying these goods online.
When you go around looking for meditation cushions, make sure it is real thing and you will know that simply by looking what is inside. The meditation cushion is usually filled with one or two rare materials namely Kapok and Buckwheat Hull. What makes these two so unique is that when Kapok is blown, it becomes firmer. Buckwheat Hull on the other hand forms to the body when it is applied.
Apart from the three meditation cushions for the lower part of your body, there is also one for your eyes. These are called eye pillows and used only when you are lying down while meditating. This is made of flax seed and covered with silk which is placed over the acupressure points that surround the eyes.
This performs two things. First, block out light and the other is to relieve tension. This is often used with aromatherapy oils to enhance a deep feeling of relaxation.
If you travel often and find carrying the standard meditation cushion inconvenient to carry around, you can get an inflatable meditation cushion. It is very to set up and hide so you can still get your daily dose of meditation 15 to 20 minutes a day.
Can you use your pillow as a makeshift meditation cushion? It can but only in the short term because the materials used here are made from cotton as this does not form to the body unlike Buckwheat Hull. Chances are, you will have to make adjustments during your session so you will not be able to maximize it.
So, for those that want to meditate without any distractions, it is best to get a meditation cushion. There are three to choose from; the Zafus, the Zabutons and the seiza benches. You just have to find which one is right for you so you can reap the benefits of meditation like others have in the past.
One of the most challenging things when meditating is finding the right sitting position. This is because your legs could become numb after some time which is why even if there is already meditation cushion in the market, there are some who still prefer to use meditation chairs instead.
When you look at a meditation chair, the first thing you will notice is that this does not look that different to a dining chair. It has 4 legs and a back rest. However, what it does best is make you more comfortable than when you are sitting on the floor by being able to mold to your body which prevents cramps and provides complete relaxation.
The material that makes this possible is called buckwheat hull because it conforms to your shape thus providing a firmer seat. It is also able to do this because of the ergonomic design which prevents the user from slouching during the most intense moments of meditation as it is angled slightly forward.
A good example of a meditating chair is the Seagrass. This was designed by a meditation practitioner who felt that it is very difficult to meditate while sitting in a lotus position. This chair allows you to cross the ankles or the feet or pull them up if you are tired of having them rest on the floor. It also provides proper spine support so you will never experience any back pain after the session.
The Chinese meditation chair is perhaps the oldest since it has been around for centuries. It didn’t have ergonomic features like the ones we have now but it has a very wide base so that the user has sufficient room to also cross their legs. It also did not have any cushioning but you can easily fix that.
Another example is the Tilt Seat that is also known as the kneeling chair. The beauty of this meditation chair is that it does not put any pressure on the knees and this can also be used as a study table because you can easily read a book when you put a cushion on the floor.
There are other meditation chairs available and they come in other shapes and sizes. One option for those that want something bigger is the meditation bench. Because of the larger area, those of you who still prefer the lotus position can do so without putting pressure on the legs. Something similar to that is called the cane chair for meditation.
When choosing the right seat, you should always consider your height, size and comfort level. Don’t forget support for the back so this also helps improve your posture.
The nice thing about meditation chairs is that they are light and portable. It can easily be stored in the closet when you are done and the designs that most retailers have can easily compliment with the rest of the items in the room.
The meditation chair is designed to make you feel comfortable in the 15 or 20 minutes when you are in session. How you make your mind and body relax is already up to you so if you are serious about improving your health or combating stress, then investing in one of these will surely be good for you.