Do meditation chairs actually work?
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What Are The best meditation chairs for beginner Yogis?
It all depends on the seated position and your flexibility.
Trying to sit still and focus is one of the hardest parts as a beginner mediator. Restless people and sedentary alike find staying in the same place for extended periods almost unbearable.
Meditation chairs/cushions help mediators stay in optimal positions for a long time.
The biggest reason for withdrawing from this activity was sitting still over 10 minutes hurt my tailbone. Using a meditation chair or back rest cushion has gotten me back into the habit of daily mediation.
After getting back into meditation, a question has sparked into my mind… Gaming Chairs V.S. Office Chairs
Why Do I Need A Need A Mediation Chair?
Using a chair, cushion, or bench helps the sitter maintain proper posture throughout long sessions of meditation at a comfortable level.
Sitting still for long periods of time is harder than it looks, and this is especially true for beginners. The positions you have to choose from are based on your flexibility.
A randomized clinical trial tested the effects of meditation and found that daily dose of meditation helps curve chronic back pain by refocusing attention.
It has proven meditation combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy to be more effective than over-the-counter pain relief. These types of results are part of the reason mindfulness is so trendy.
Meditation may be healthier and cheaper when compared to over-the-counter pain relief, but it’s not as easy to do!
I Don’t Have A Meditation Cushion?
DIY Meditation Chair = Office Chair + Bath Towels/Small Rug
It’s difficult to schedule good habits into your day and not having a fancy meditation tool to sit on is no excuse to give up. Here is a DIY method of getting next to the same results as a meditation cushion.
It’s difficult to schedule good habits into your day, and not having a fancy meditation tool to sit I have started meditation for the first time a dozen times. A good way to keep this activity consistent is by making it as convenient as possible to start; like by using a chair.
- I’m not flexible so my preferred meditation position involves using a chair. I’ve found this helps in keeping me aligned to an upright position. It also makes it easy to meditate in most places since chairs are very common.
Choosing a position that feels comfortable is a healthier experience than attempting full lotus with the possibility of injury.
If you’re just starting to meditate, using a specialized seat offers ergonomic support that will help you stay consistent.
What Are The best meditating chair for sitting with back pain?
For that matter they can use any other chair for this practice!
Depending on how you practice meditation, most people like it low to the floor. These specialized chairs provide proper alignment to enhance posture in a variety of ways compared to office chairs.
What Should I Consider Before Buying A Meditation Sitting Chair or Cushion?
With so many different types of designs, which best fit my needs?
To narrow down the picking process here are few questions to ask yourself.
Ergonomic back support for traditional ‘Old Country Style’?
There is a spectrum for the amount of backrest you desire. I recommend full backrest support for newcomers. Partial and hybrid cushion designs are also ergonomic, but support your back by jerking your hips & pelvis forward.
Is it in constant transportation or just staying in one location?
If your plan is to never take this out of your meditation room, then your options are endless. For the frequent flyers that want to practice on the go, I recommend looking for something that is durable, easy to clean, and fold up for quick transportation.
Can Pretty Get Ethically Sourced? The Style And Brand Go Hand And Hand
I lump these two together because meditation chairs with nice styles and quality are more likely made by a brand of good-nature. These brands source their materials ethically and stand behind their product.
Is it the bench, foldable seat-chair, pillows, or memory foam cushion?
You guessed it. The Buddha Meditation Chair is the most common form because of its back, saving split design support system.
| TYPE | FEATURES | POSITION | FLEXIBILITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Bench | Takes Weight Off The Legs For Meditators Who Prefer Kneeling | Seiza ,Sukassana | 🧘🏻🧘🏻🧘🏻 |
| Dual-Cushion | Foldable, Easy To Clean, and Compact To Carry Around | Burmese | 🧘🏻🧘🏻 |
| Large Pillow Cushion | 2-in-1 Pillows, Offers Plenty Of Space For All Poses | Zabuton | 🧘🏻 |
| Small Pillow Cushion | Traditional Preferred, Simple, & Easy To Clean | Zafu | 🧘🏻🧘🏻🧘🏻 |
| Floor Chair | Provides Extra Back Support At Ground Level | Lotus (Full/Half) | 🧘🏻 |
| Ergonomic Seat Cushion | Provides Hip & Pelvic Support To Back Posture | On a Seat Cushion | 🧘🏻 |
| Standard Chair | Provides Extra Back Support At Table Level | On a Chair | 🧘🏻🧘🏻 |
Seiza Meditation Bench
You can do a wide variety of positions on a meditation bench, but it specializes in kneeling positions. They have space below where you sit to tuck under your legs.
This sitting relieves stress on sore knees and takes weight off the legs, but works best after adding a bottom mat (Zabuton).
Link Lotuscraft Meditation Bench-Chair *
WHAT WE LIKE
Bench Legs Fold Up For Easy Travel
Made of high quality wood and upholstery
OH MY YIKES
Difficult to find a compatible size for larger users.
Buddha Dual-Cushion-Setup
The Friends Of Buddha: Buddha Bliss Meditation Chair features upholstery available in a variety of unique designs.
The goal behind making the Buddha Bliss was to keep a mediator comfortable even through the longest retreat. It’s easy to travel with due to its folding layout.
Link To bonVIVO Easy III Floor Chair *
WHAT WE LIKE
Folds Up Easy To Carry Around
Proper Back Support For Extended Periods Of Time
OH MY YIKES
Lack Of Natural Materials And There Is No Ability To Adjust The Backrest.
NOT ideal for tall people over (5’11” Feet / 180 cm) .
Zafu (Pillow Seat Cushions)
Standing the test of time, the Zafu has a simple design that is the ultimate sign of sophistication. This meditation chair dates back centuries and is probably what comes to mind when you think of a traditional mediator sitting full lotus in their seat.
Link to Seat Of Your Soul Meditation Chair *
WHAT WE LIKE
Provides Tailbone Support
Great For A Variety of Meditation Positions
OH MY YIKES
Hard to wash and the material can attract dirt and or lint easily.
Zabuton (Pillow Seat Cushions)
You can break this cushion down into two smaller cushions. The Zafu is a smaller cushion used for sitting. The Zabuton is the larger mat cushion underneath it. These two in combination make painful meditating positions more comfortable.
Link to Friends of Meditation Chair *
WHAT WE LIKE
Larger In Size
Provides Proper Back Support
Folds for Easy Travel
OH MY YIKES
Hard to wash and the material and to add insult to injury; the material is also attracts lint and dirty easily.
Zaisu Meditation Floor Chair
These types of mediation chairs are basically folding chairs with no legs. Instead of being wood they are commonly made of memory foam.
Link To NNEWVANTE Floor Chair *
WHAT WE LIKE
Easy To Cary Around
Easy To Keep Clean
Provides Proper Back Support
OH MY YIKES
Lack Of Natural Materials And Can Leave Some Sitters With A Sweaty Back Side.
Ergonomic Memory Foam Seat Cushions
This memory foam cushion from factor to help you effortlessly sit with proper posture. There are many scenarios this cushion helps with extended periods of sitting.
Meditation is definitely one of these scenarios. These types of cushions are easy to transport, can be sat on for 10+ hours without deflating, and the cut-out hole will make your rear end less sweaty.
Link To Cush Comfort Memory Foam Cushion *
WHAT WE LIKE
TRAVEL READY: Durable, Breathable & Easy to Carry
Promotes Ergonomic Posture
OH MY YIKES
Not the perfect fit because one size fits all and will compress too much when sitting on it.
Are Meditation Chairs Worth It?
No, this only seems to be the case because of the influx of beginner level mediators.
Yes, this is actually very common among beginner mediators in classes.
If you plan on sitting still for a long time and don’t know if your back will suffice. There is no shame in leaning against the wall to make the meditation session worthwhile.
Using a meditation chair means you won't be sitting on the floor, getting your behind dirty. A healthier reason to use one is that they promote blood circulation to the lower limbs.
SOURCES
Asher CPT, Anne. “Understand Why Your Office Chair Is Causing You Back Pain.” Verywell Health, 8 Dec. 2019, www.verywellhealth.com/office-chair-height-and-hip-joint-angle-296775.
Claude
ChairPickr | "Writer"
Hello, My name is Claude and I enjoy sitting comfortable. Research into what separates the good from the bad in the matter of chairs started when I made a new year’s resolution to have better posture.
You clicked here to find that first-rate chair. Why not stay and learn some self care?