8 Massive Benefits of Using Meditation Cushions
There is one crucial thing that I learned as I embarked on my meditation journey. That is, it mattered how I set up my meditation space. For my mind to be calm and quiet, I have to be comfortable yet alert.
This concept also applies to you. Sitting meditation positions are often the most comfortable and preferable. Just look at all the meditation gurus in practice, and you will quickly realize this.
The best way to combine relaxation and awareness effectively is a seated position. As such, it is crucial to be able to stay comfortable while sitting. This is where a meditation cushion comes in handy.
I found that this simple accessory makes all the difference when it comes to effective meditation practice. Meditation cushions are not just for beginners; experts also benefit from them in profound ways. In this piece, I am going to share with you some of the benefits of meditation cushions.
- They Help Keep You Comfortable
One of the most important benefits of meditation cushions is comfort. As if it isn’t difficult enough to sit still for a lengthy period, try sitting on a floor without support. It probably won’t inspire daily meditation sessions.
Simply put, if you are uncomfortable, you will not be able to meditate. There are no two ways about this. Comfort is essential for you to be able to relax. If you cannot relax, you will not enjoy the meditation practice. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Just as importantly, you will be unable to let go of underlying emotional conflicts. These are the conflicts that arise due to the physical tension that you experience. You may think it looks cools to sit cross-legged on the floor like the yogis you see in photos. However, if you lack the flexibility it takes to keep your knees and feet on the floor, you will suffer. If we are honest, this will apply to most of us.
Investing in an appropriate meditation cushion makes it easier for you. Trust me, your knees, butt, lower back, and feet will thank you. One thing I see in beginner meditators is the desire to contort themselves into challenging seating postures. Try to avoid this. The result is discomfort and distracted meditation.
In some cases, it may even lead to physical damage. Be kind to yourself. A meditation cushion can help you avoid this.
On this note, finding the best meditation cushion for comfort is essential. I would recommend buckwheat cushions. These types of cushions mold into the shape of your butt for that additional support and comfort. They are also sufficiently firm to prevent you from shifting in your seat.
One of the best meditation cushions for comfort is the Yoga Meditation Buckwheat Bolster Pillow Cushion. The buckwheat hulls afford it the perfect balance of flexibility and firmness. It is a multipurpose cushion, which can double up as a great yoga prop.
- They Can Help Encourage Your Practice
One of the most common problems associated with taking up any activity is keeping at it. Getting yourself motivated to commit to any practice is work in on itself. An interesting benefit of meditation cushions is that they help you create an appealing mindfulness space. This can encourage you to keep meditating each day.
It certainly did for me. I am all about symbols and visual reminders. When I see that meditation cushion, I remember that I have to meditate. As I sit on it, I immediately think of all the times I have felt gratitude after a fulfilling session.
A meditation cushion can act as the physical representation of your practice. This is a similar effect to having workout accessories in your home. Once you accept that objects and spaces carry event vibrations, your meditation cushion will bear meditative vibrations.
You will slip into this mind frame easily when you settle down into your cushion. One way to improve this effect is to get a meditation cushion that is your favorite color. You can also go for colors that are calming and tranquil psychologically.
- They Can Help Improve Your Posture
Your body is neither predictably curved nor flat. If you do not have proper support, one thing is likely going to happen. Your body succumbs to the shape of the surface on which you rest. This causes your spine, hips, legs, head, and shoulders to misalign. This misalignment results in physical discomfort.
A significant benefit of meditation cushions is that it can help you improve your posture during meditation. The traditional full-lotus, half-lotus (cross-legged) and kneeling (seiza) postures are very common meditation postures. Having a firm foundation is crucial when you are in these positions, or any other sitting positions.
Your ability to mediate in any of these postures is dependent on the flexibility of your hips, knees, and ankles. In most cases, you need some support to maintain proper posture and alignment. A meditation cushion serves this purpose.
During meditation, you should keep your spine erect with your lower back curved in slightly (the ‘S’ curve). This posture supports your body naturally. It also reduces stress on your spinal components and allows for the most comfort.
The traditional circular pleated cushion, the Zafu, raises your upper body and hips such that your legs rest comfortably. Ideally, you should sit on the Zafu’s edge such that your thighs slightly slope down. What this position does is roll your hips forward. This creates the natural “S” curve in your spinal column, thus improving your posture with regular use.
When your spine assumes its natural position, your head, neck, shoulders, and back assume an upright position. This posture is more comfortable to maintain when you meditate. For me, using a Zafu meditation cushion did wonders for my posture. It also made my meditation sessions much more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Also, I was able to maintain this improved posture engaging in all other activities. This is not to mention reduced lower back pain. Overall, you are doing yourself a great disservice if you are not using a supportive meditation cushion.
One of the best meditation cushions of this type is the Lotus Crafts Zafu Meditation Cushion Crescent Siddha. It has an ergonomic shape for comfortable sitting and is easy to wash. This cushion is also ecological, bio-certified, and budget-friendly.
- They Help Remove the Pain Associated With Seated Meditation
One thing afflicted me before I knew all about meditation cushions. I would experience some degree of physical discomfort and mild pain in seated meditation positions. This happened quite often.
My knees and feet often fell asleep. Sometimes I had trouble walking correctly when I stood up. This is not to mention the soreness in my lower back. And as you would have guessed it, my meditation experiences were far from the best.
Not knowing any better, I tried sitting on my pillows and blankets. I used anything I found lying around. It was not until I bought my first meditation cushion that the discomfort and pain went away. This problem is often worsened if you happen to have sensitive knees, ankles, and knees.
Meditating in an unsupported seated position for extended periods predisposes your body to stiffness, swelling, and inflammation. You will find that you end your meditation sessions prematurely because of painful tingling sensations. Tired legs and feet often cause these sensations. Meditation cushions have fillings from different materials that conform to your body’s shape.
Once you start using them, they quickly relieve these types of pain. Well-designed meditation cushions can help alleviate stiffness, cramping, swelling, and inflammation. This will enable your body to move freely when your session is over. Overall, they are essential for pain-free and pleasurable meditation practice.
- Meditation Cushions are Portable
Do you want to know why I love meditation cushions? I can take them with me just about anywhere I go. One of the best things about meditation is that you can do it almost anywhere at any time.
A meditation cushion weighs in at just a few measly pounds. As such, they are light enough for you to throw in your backpack or suitcase when you travel. Many meditation cushions have straps that you use to carry them around.
There are even inflatable cushions. These cushions are light and small enough to slip one into your pocket f you are not using it. Portability means that you cannot use the lack of your props as a reason to skip a meditation session.
What’s more, is that you can use it for other purposes as you carry it around. You may sit on it at an outdoor event or use it as a pillow. Heck, they make for great back supports on those long airplanes flights. I recall one time; I took my meditation pillow to this yoga festival. It made those long sitting hours a lot more comfortable.
- They are better than Meditating on a Chair
Some people prefer meditating while seated on a chair. This option is totally fine. However, it has its fair share of drawbacks. One of the problems with meditating on a chair is that you tend to get too comfortable.
I know I emphasized the importance of comfort for meditation earlier. You might be wondering what I am on about. Hear me out on this one. The issue arises when sitting in a chair hides the fact that you are getting sleepy.
I noticed this when I first started meditating. When I meditated while a bit tired, I would unknowingly begin to doze off. You have probably experienced the same thing if you meditate sitting in a chair. When you meditate in a chair, it is difficult to notice when your back starts slouching or when you lose focus.
The benefit of meditation cushions is that you will notice immediately when you start slouching. This serves as an indication that you are out of focus and need to get it back. It may seem minor, but this immediate direct feedback can be the difference between beneficial meditation and unfocused sessions. Invest in a meditation cushion if you seek to remain more alert and aware during your sessions.
- They Allow For Many Seated Meditation Poses
As I mentioned earlier, sitting is the most commonly preferred meditation position. However, you do not have to sit in the full lotus position or resemble a human pretzel to meditate. As long as you are comfortable, you can have a tremendous and fulfilling session.
Another benefit of a meditation cushion is that you can use it for many of the different sitting postures. This goes for the most manageable variations to the tougher ones. The seated meditation variations include Burmese pose, half-lotus, full lotus, seiza (kneeling) pose, easy pose, and seating against a wall.
With a good meditation cushion, you can be able to meditate comfortably in all these positions. This means that it is an excellent investment that will serve you the same as your flexibility improves.
- They Can Serve Other Purposes as Yoga Props
One of the lesser-known benefits of meditation cushions is their versatility. You can substitute a mediation cushion for a yoga prop. This enables you to perform many yoga poses without having to purchase the necessities and accessories.
You may not be aware that the primary purpose of yoga is to help prepare your body for meditation. As such, a meditation cushion can serve you indirectly by facilitating your yoga practice. A great example of a prop that your meditation cushion can double up as is the yoga bolster. This is with the proper use, of course.
In this regard, your meditation cushion can afford you the many benefits of yoga bolsters. A yoga bolster will help you achieve various yoga poses, including the child’s pose and supported backbend with ease. It also supports your body, relieves tension and stress, improves your blood circulation, and supports your spine.
It is worth noting that there are other benefits of meditation cushions, and this list is not exhaustive. They include maintaining a natural sitting position, building strength, developing stability, improving longevity, and helping with lower back pain. What a yoga mat is to the yogi, a meditation cushion is to the meditator. Investing in the best meditation cushion for you can help deepen your practice. It does this for me, and it can do the same for you.