HOW TO CHOOSE A MEDITATION CUSHION?

YOUR GUIDE TO THE RIGHT SEATED SUPPORT

A comfortable sitting posture is the basis for our mediation. Before you start meditating, you should find a relaxed sitting position that you can easily stay in for ten minutes. A comfortable meditation cushion will support you.

WHY USE A MEDITATION CUSHION?

Many of us find meditation difficult, especially at the beginning. The mind is restless, and it's difficult for us to sit still and find peace. If our back hurts or we force ourselves into a sitting posture that is too advanced, the mind cannot find rest.

Reminder: Your sitting position (whether on the floor, a chair, or leaning against a wall) should never cause pain, and your lower back should always be upright.

A pillow or yoga cushion automatically helps you to sit more comfortably. It relieves the spine and the entire back. Above all, however, it ensures a natural straightening of the spine so as not to slump. This creates more space in the abdominal area and enables our breathing to flow more freely and deeply.

Once you have found a sitting position, you should remain there comfortably. Especially as a beginner, you will feel more aware of your body when you meditate for extended periods. When this happens, don't hesitate, but briefly bring movement to the parts of your body that ache. For example, gently loosen your legs and then return to your sitting position.

HOW DO I FIND A SUITABLE MEDITATION CUSHION?

The essential element when it comes to choosing the right meditation cushion is oneself. The right meditation cushion can be a decisive factor in making meditation feel like a pleasant and harmonious experience. Each of us has our personal feeling when it comes to a sitting position. This sensation is partly related to your body's flexibility and partly to the opening of your hips and back.

The right cushion should support you in an upright and straight posture, relieve tension on your pelvis and spine and create space to calm your thoughts. Your mind should not be preoccupied with soreness in your thighs or discomfort in your hips or back but should be finding stillness.

There are no single set of guidelines that apply equally to all who meditate. Nevertheless, there are a few things that you may want to consider when choosing the right meditation cushion for you.

Cushion height
Cushion shape
Seat position
Cushion filling
Cushion colour
Range of use (meditation, yoga, sitting, therapy)

Keep these pointers in mind, and you will quickly see how beneficial a good meditation cushion can be!

The meditation cushion's height is determined by body size, flexibility, and its intended purpose. At Lotuscrafts, we divide our meditation cushions into three different size categories:

Small: approx. 10 cm seat height
Standard: approx. 15 cm seat height
High: approx. 20 cm seat height

We recommend a cushion in the "Small" category with a seat height of approx. 10 cm if you are approx. 1.70 m tall and can sit comfortably cross-legged/ lotus position and on your heels. You should also have high hip flexibility (hip opening), and your knees should be healthy and resilient. By the way: Small cushions like these are also a good aid if you want to take it a little easier in yoga and don't want or are unable to stretch too far.

The "Standard" category is ideal if you are looking for a versatile cushion with an average seat height and, for example, have slightly longer legs but still want to sit cross-legged. The seat height of approx. 15 cm is optimal if you are over 1.70 m tall and have leg muscle, hip joint, or knee complaints. If you meditate for extended periods, the standard cushion makes it easier to change your sitting position more frequently. The cushion height is also ideal for the kneeling posture, where the cushion is between the legs. In this position, the knees are in front, the lower legs are on the floor, and the feet point backward.

We recommend the "High" category if you have very long legs, are over 1.80 m tall, want to sit cross-legged, and have less hip flexibility. This seat height is also good if you have leg, hip, or knee problems and prefer to sit on your knees. Because you sit higher with this cushion, it is also easier for you to stand up again. The cushion is also well suited as a flexible, slightly higher seating option for therapy and seminar rooms.

During meditation, body and mind are harmonised, and you reach a state of stillness. Your seat cushion should support you so that you barely notice it and can concentrate fully on yourself and your practice. Ideally, the filling material adapts ergonomically to the shape of your body.

The Lotuscrafts’ round cushions have a circular sitting surface to support your posture upright and correct. Use them for a variety of sitting positions. The cushions are produced according to high social and ecological standards and are GOTS certified. Meaning, we pay great attention to eco-friendly manufacturing processes, health-friendly materials, and social norms in every production process. This is important to us because our products should not harm anyone.

The heat-treated and exceptionally light spelt husks (organic) with which the cushions are filled adapt ideally to your sitting position and support a comfortable posture in which you can remain for prolonged periods. Little by little, your body relaxes, and your mind comes to rest.

You can use the organic cotton cushions as meditation cushions for your meditation room, seat cushions in the living room, therapy room, or yoga studio.

We currently have these cushion shapes in our range:

Our meditation and yoga cushions practising are attentively filled with organic spelt husks directly on-site in our workshop.

Spelt husks are the husk of the spelt grain and are suitably processed to become "meditation cushion filling". First, the grain is removed, then the husks are washed, dried and dusted. This ensures hygiene and longevity.

WHY SPELT HUSKS?

We have chosen spelt husks as filling material for several reasons:

Spelt husks are pleasantly soft, retain their shape and are pliable. That is why Lotuscrafts cushions comfortably adapt to your sitting position.
Spelt husks are robust, regulate temperature and moisture, and the filling does not usually need to be replaced. You only need to shake and air the meditation cushions from time to time.
Spelt husks are light. This is why the shipping costs are minimised, and the transport of the meditation cushions hardly has an impact.
Spelt husks can be replaced. If the filling needs to be replaced, spelt husks can be bought inexpensively and readily refilled.
Spelt husks can be replaced and returned to the natural nutrient cycle in an eco-friendly way.
Spelt husks smell good. That's why we enjoy the fresh "cereal-like" scent that greets us every day when we enter our workshop.

Kapok is obtained from the pods of the kapok tree. The cotton-like plant fibre is particularly suitable as a filling if you prefer a soft and compressible cushion. Kapok is also ideal for allergy sufferers, as this plant fibre hardly attracts mites and is very breathable.

WHAT PROP CAN I USE INSTEAD OF A MEDITATION CUSHION?

If you are not comfortable with a meditation cushion and your seating does not feel suitable, then you consider meditating with a meditation bench or bolster.

The meditation bench

Meditation benches are suitable for longer meditations and for those with knee issues. They ensure a straight upright posture and usually allow deep abdominal breathing through a slightly angled seat surface.. They assist you in bringing your attention inwards and finding your centre quicker.

Meditation Bench Dharma

The Bolster

A Bolster or yoga roll can also be suitable sitting support for meditation. You can use the bolster for the kneeling position by placing it between your legs and lowering your buttocks onto the bolster. Your knees are facing forward, and your feet are resting comfortably next to them.

If you are looking for support at the beginning of your meditation practice and like meditating with your back against the wall, you can lean the bolster against the wall to gently support your back.

The block

For brief meditations during a yoga class, a block can be used to sit on. A yoga block is also suitable for practicing pranayama at home. The block made of natural cork also helps you sit upright, elongate your upper body, and reach upwards with the crown of your head. It grounds you and provides a firmly seated position.

Yoga Block Cork

For more extended periods of meditation and sitting, we recommend our meditation cushions and meditation benches.

As you can see, there are many options available to you when choosing your yoga or meditation cushion. Keep in mind your body size, your flexibility, and which colours attract you. This way, you will quickly find the meditation cushion that suits you and your approach to meditation!