What are the best meditation cushions?
How to choose your meditation cushion?
It's not easy to choose your meditation cushion, they come in all shapes and sizes . They come in a multitude of colors and fabrics so much so that beginner yogis often find themselves lost when choosing the ideal cushion to meditate better . To enjoy your meditation sessions and find the right postures , you should choose a cushion that is suited to your body shape and level of practice. We will also give you some tips on how to sit on a zafu and meditate in complete serenity.
The right shape of yoga or meditation cushion to find the right posture
Yoga or meditation cushion? To tell the truth, there is no difference, some also call it Zafu. To meditate or to perform your asanas, the meditation cushion is a precious ally. Buddhist monks have long used it to indulge in long meditation sessions, but it is also used to perform your yoga exercises.
With it, you can easily perform your static postures, such as the lotus position, as well as more dynamic postures that require perfect body balance. Precisely, the Zafu brings comfort in the realization of your asanas.
It is also a valuable aid for breathing exercises, because thanks to it, you adopt a good position of the spine. The opening of the chakras is facilitated by softer and more fluid breathing.
They come in all shapes and sizes, and beginners sometimes have a hard time making their choice. Finding the right shape of yoga or meditation cushion will help you find the right posture, here are the different shapes of cushions for meditation.
Meditate with a round cushion called rondo or traditional
The round meditation cushion is certainly the most widespread of all. The advantage is that it comes in a wide range of different heights, so it adapts to all sizes and especially to the opening of your hips.
To meditate better with a round cushion, you must choose one of sufficient height to relieve your joints and knees from the weight of your body. Taller people will prefer a high seat or the "high rondo" meditation cushion.
People with good hip opening will prefer a “traditional” pleated zafu or “flat rondo”
Let's take the example of the cross-legged position: for optimal comfort, your round zafu should allow you to have a low seat that allows you to sit cross-legged with your knees touching the ground. The seating surface should be wide and round enough to meditate with your legs crossed in the cross-legged posture (Sukhasana), the perfect posture (Siddhasana) or in half-lotus (Ardha Padmasana).
If you lack flexibility, a high "rondo" cushion will allow you to cross your legs more easily, freeing up more space under them.
Generally, flexible people use a meditation cushion that is 12 to 15 cm high. Yogis over 1.70 m tall who lack flexibility find their happiness with yoga cushions ranging from 16 to 20 cm high.
Meditate with a rectangular cushion or zabuton
Meditating with a rectangular cushion brings absolute comfort to your sessions, it is also called a meditation square or zabuton. It is generally quite firm in consistency and measures 80X80. It can be made of 4 or 6 layers of cotton.
Many people use the rectangular cushion on the floor and complement it with the round cushion. In this way, the ankles and knees rest on the square and not directly on the floor, which is sometimes too hard and cold.
The rectangular cushion for meditation is the companion of nomads or for those who like to commune with nature during their meditation sessions. Indeed, it is easy to transport, because it is more compact than the round cushion.
Meditating with an oval cushion
Oval cushion shapes are more intended for a dynamic yoga practice. Its particular shape allows to clear the space under the feet and to fold the legs to the side.
It requires keeping the pelvis open in line with the hips to avoid hurting your knees. In general, the oval cushion is quite high.
Meditating with a half-moon cushion
Like the oval cushion, the half-moon cushion was designed for the more experienced. It is mainly used during advanced yoga postures or during your Pranayama exercises.
Quite high and slightly inclined forward, it helps you stand up straight and maintain your asanas.
This half-moon shape provides a wide, stable base of support with room to tuck your ankles close to your body.
Meditate with a meditation bench
The meditation bench is designed for meditators who want a high seat because they have knee problems or a small hip opening and possibly to be able to put their feet under the bench. It is the favorite accessory of men practicing meditation. It is sometimes accompanied by a cushion for better comfort and some benches are foldable, which is ideal for traveling.
How to sit properly on your cushion to meditate better, in complete serenity?
Sitting properly on your meditation cushion to meditate better is essential! The body is not designed to remain in a static position for a long time, tingling sensations or pain can quickly appear which would disrupt your session.
A good sitting position on your zafu allows you to avoid this feeling of discomfort. The cross-legged sitting posture requires good balance of the spine. Under the weight of the head, it has the unfortunate tendency to curve, which quickly leads to pain in the lower back. With the stomach pulled in, it is then difficult to free the lungs and therefore maintain good breathing.
To sit properly on the meditation cushion, the seating surface must be wide enough to accommodate your buttocks. Slightly inclined, the cushion will allow you to straighten up naturally and relieve your lower back by tilting your hips forward. The abdominal muscles relax and your breathing is more fluid.
To meditate better, you must sit in a comfortable posture conducive to relaxation and concentration. The knees are close to the ground, but the joints are relieved of the weight of the body thanks to the support provided by the meditation zafu. The pelvis is positioned backwards and the back must be straight.
Material and padding, which meditation zafu to choose?
To fulfill its role perfectly, the meditation zafu must be sufficiently firm. This is where the padding comes in.
Traditional meditation cushions are most often filled with kapok. Kapok is a natural fiber similar to cotton, but unlike cotton, the fiber does not compress, which makes it more comfortable. Kapok filling makes the cushion lightweight and easy to carry. Yogis who lack flexibility should avoid it.
Another well-known variant for stuffing a yoga cushion is spelt or buckwheat seed. Totally natural, this filling offers great firmness of seat which allows perfect support of the spine. Buckwheat filling is firmer than spelt, but in both cases your meditation cushion will be indestructible! It is a very good investment, because it ages very well over time, even with intensive use, it will keep its shape and firmness. Kapok filling is, however, more fragile over time.
Now that you have all the elements to choose your meditation cushion to meditate better, all you have to do is place your order! Don't forget to define your size, your flexibility and your level of practice before filling your basket, these three points are decisive to make your cushion your best ally and meditate with complete peace of mind.
Our selection of the best meditation cushions
Rondo high
Traditional
Half moon cushion
Flat Rondo Cushion
Zabuton
Yoga and meditation cushion
Mediation bench
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