Meditation Cushions
Buy a meditation cushion or just sit on a stack of books?
Meditation cushions are a topic that every beginner to meditation actually deals with at some point. Why buy a meditation cushion when I can just use a sofa cushion or a stack of used books? As much as we understand and appreciate this train of thought, unfortunately it is not the best solution. A sofa cushion is too soft and a stack of books is too hard. Both will cause you to be unable to maintain the meditation seat for long. You would probably soon lose the desire to meditate due to the physical pain.
However, you can use everyday objects to experiment at home. Books, sofa cushions, towels or blankets are suitable for building your own meditation cushion. Take the time to meditate at different heights. What does your body and mind like best? This way, when you later buy your meditation cushion, you will have a clear idea of which cushion suits you.
Traditionally, yogis and Buddhists meditate in the full lotus position, the Padmasana. However, this is hardly feasible for the average European and should therefore not be developed as an inner aspiration – because that quickly leads to frustration. Fortunately, there are meditation cushions from Lotus Design! So even if you are not that flexible, you can meditate longer and enjoy the many positive effects of meditation.
FUN FACT: Lotus Design originated from a project for the handmade production of yoga pillows, over 30 years ago. We then developed further and started the professional production of meditation pillows. This made us one of the pioneers in the European market.
Form follows function also applies to your meditation cushion
Yes, there are actually quite a few different meditation cushions. This may sound strange to a newcomer to the world of meditation, but it really is the case. When choosing the right meditation cushion for you, the most important thing is your favourite meditation position. What position will you be meditating in? Cross-legged? In the Burmese position or perhaps in the heel position? The position of your legs during meditation plays an important role in choosing the right yoga cushion.
A half-moon meditation cushion is perfect for those who meditate in the lotus position. The half-open shape gives your crossed legs enough room and you can easily let your knees sink down low. A rectangular meditation cushion is a good choice if you are already experienced and can sit upright for long periods of time without pain. A classic among meditation cushions is the Zafu meditation cushion, inspired by Zen Buddhism. The Zafu cushion has folds on the sides, giving it a slightly larger seat.
However, most people who are interested in meditation opt for a round meditation cushion. Depending on your height and flexibility, you can choose from different heights. It is very practical if the meditation cushion has a removable cover and the inner cushion has a zip. Then you can wash your meditation cushion and adjust the filling to your individual sitting habits.
No matter which cushion shape you choose, the aim is always to enable you to sit upright and relaxed at the same time. This takes the pressure off your intervertebral discs and allows you to breathe more freely. You won't be distracted by back pain, cramps or numb legs, and you can fully concentrate on your inner world.
What is the optimal seat height for a meditation cushion?
Perhaps you are wondering how high your meditation cushion should be? Again, it depends on your individual sitting position. If you are a beginner in meditation or spend a lot of time at a desk, then your hips will not be very mobile. A higher meditation cushion will help support your spine. Flatter cushions are ideal if you like to meditate in the Burmese position, half-lotus or full-lotus. Most of our meditation cushions have a removable filling. This allows you to fine-tune the seat height a little more to suit your individual level of development. This small overview can help you to identify the right seat height for your meditation cushion:
Meditation is not about performance, so it is important not to conform to some ideal, but to look at your own needs and listen to your body. It is therefore worth taking enough time to choose the right meditation cushion. Slow and steady wins the race!
- 7 to 10 cm: lotus position and Burmese position
- 10 to 15 cm: Burmese position
- 16 to 19 cm: cross-legged and heel seat
- 21 cm: heel seat for a body height of approx. 170 cm
- 25 cm: heel seat for a body height of approx. 175 cm
- 35 cm: heel seat for a body height of approx. 185 cm
Which filling should I use to buy a meditation cushion?
Each type of filling has its own advantages. As with the choice of design and shape of your meditation cushion, this is also a matter of taste. At Lotus Design, we mainly work with these three filling materials:
Organic buckwheat hulls are our number one. The most used, the most sold. They are also used at our affiliated Buddhist meditation centre in Cologne-Nippes. Thanks to their high flowability, they adapt wonderfully to the individual body shape and are also very durable. We only use buckwheat hulls of organic quality from European cultivation.
Organic spelt husks are significantly larger in shape and not as pourable. A clear advantage is that a yoga cushion filled with spelt husks is lighter than one filled with buckwheat hulls. At Lotus Design, we use spelt husks in our meditation cushions exclusively in organic quality, grown in Germany.
Kapok fibres from wild growth are very fine, fluffy plant fibres from the exotic kapok tree. Kapok has an incredible ability to expand and contract and therefore does not become lumpy. A meditation cushion with kapok filling feels a little firmer than one filled with spelt.
Accessories for even better relaxation when meditating
Traditional meditation cushions are not suitable for some bodies. That's not a problem, because, as I said, meditation is not a competitive sport. Every body is different, every body has its own history. For example, if you like to meditate in the heel seat, but cannot sit on your meditation cushion without pain, we recommend our meditation benches.
If your knees hurt when you are sitting in the Burmese position or cross-legged, you could try a meditation mat. You simply place it under your meditation cushion and it will protect your knees.
If your hips are not very mobile and your knees are far from the floor when you are sitting cross-legged, then our meditation knee pads could be right for you. They complement your meditation cushion by slightly reducing the stretch in your hips.
Meditation accessories are designed to help you focus your attention on the object of your meditation – without being distracted by pain or tension.