Meditation Cushions
To make your meditation easy and joyful, meditation cushions just serve your purpose a right. There are many kinds of meditation cushions which help in settling with the right postures for meditating and relaxing.
Zafu is a smile cushion that can be placed on the floor or over a kneeling bench. Zafu is a round shaped cushion and an invention of the Japanese. A Zafu is about 35 cm in diameter and is about 20 cm high, when it is fluffed. They are usually made from heavy cloth and are filled with plant fibers or buckwheat hulls. These cushions are extensively used in sitting meditation.
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| zafu cushion |
Zabutons is a sitting mat which provides essential cushioning for the ankles, feet and legs. Zabuton cushions too are Japanese cushions for sitting. These are generally found in most drawing rooms of every Japanese home, where they are spread on the floor for a comfortable sitting. Unlike Zafu, they are not quite fluffed up, and can be used even when sitting in chairs. A typical Zabuton is about 50-70 cm sideways and is thick when bought brand new. The aim of such comfy types of meditation cushions is to facilitate a proper posture and alignment to the body when sitting or meditating.
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| zabutons cushion |
Seiza Bench is best for people who have knee problems.
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| seiza bench |
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.
Your choice of meditation cushions enhances your ability to keep your body aligned and your mind focused. Choosing meditation cushions that are correct for you depends on the posture you prefer, your height, and your need for support. Fill choices are kapok, buckwheat hull, and cotton.
- Kapok fill is lighter than cotton, its firmness supports at least 30 times its weight, it is a breathable fill so it allows air circulation, and is re-useable for generations. Benefits include extra height and width for taller, less flexible meditators and a more solid support for those who want firmer meditation cushions. Drawback to the use of this fiber is that it is highly flammable.
- Meditation cushions filled with buckwheat hull conforms to the contour of your body and supports proper posture alignment. The benefits of the buckwheat are its insulating properties and that it conforms to your particular posture immediately requiring no break-in period. Drawback is that unprocessed and poorly cleaned hulls have higher levels of potential allergens.
- Cotton tends to compress more than kapok and buckwheat hulls and therefore is not commonly used as a fill in meditation cushions.Cotton is more often used as a fabric to cover meditation cushions.
The meditation cushions come in a variety of sizes and colors. You can easily acquire them by going to a specialty store or buying these goods online. You just have to find meditation cushions is right for you so you can reap the benefits of meditation.
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