yoga and meditation cushions (zafu, zabutons)

What are meditation and yoga cushions and why can’t i just use an ordinary cushion for this purpose?

meditation cushions are specialty items, not the kind of thing you can pick up at your local discount department store. this means that many of the skilled artisans who make them do a lot of custom work. choosing the right meditation cushions can mean the difference between a painful, frustrating session of squirming and shifting to find a comfortable sitting position, and being able to sit without pain, serenely relaxed so that you can derive the maximum benefit from your practice.

How can meditation and yoga cushions (zafus) help me in making my practice enjoyable, healthy and full filling?

Your search for spiritual enlightenment will fail if your back is aligned incorrectly or you suffer an injury to your back or have terrible discomfort, as these problems will distract you during meditation.  the “meditation or the lotus pose” is easily recognized, so much so that it has become an icon. every day in print media about any subject, advertisers find ways to depict people sitting in a somewhat cross-legged position with hands making a fancy “mudra” (forefinger connected to thumb in a perfect o). the truth is, this position is neither healthy, nor sustainable. it takes so much effort to hold this pose that it won’t last a second longer than it takes to click the shutter. this false, popularised symbol for what meditation is supposed to look like is conceived by those who have neither practiced meditation nor plan to. the reason: these people are sitting on a flat surface. when sitting on a flat surface, it’s almost worse than sitting on a chair or sofa. the muscular of the front torso has to strain to keep the body from collapsing backward.

if more people realised that there is a way to sit without back support that is not only effortless, but increases the power of concentration, lowers heart rate, decreases blood pressure, deepens breathing, and stimulates the ‘relaxation response’, they would probably give it a try. your energy must be allowed free circulation throughout your body during meditation. a proper cushion yoga and meditation cushion will allow these spiritual and physical dynamics to occur.

meditation cushions provide needed support so your body can achieve the best and most healthy spinal alignment and posture possible. this cushion configures the spine according to the sitting posture of lotus, half-lotus or a kneeling posture. the practitioner learns to tuck in her lower back and to keep the spine in a straight line.

curving out the upper back and gently tucking in the neck, with the head held as if balancing a book on top of the head, allows for the best posture. spinal stress is minimised and one’s sitting sessions are more effective, reducing potential physical harm. after all meditation is not supposed to be an endurance test and comfort is the key to a successful practice

what are the various types of yoga and meditation cushions available?

Most of the widely used meditation cushions can be divided into zafus, zabuntons and zen cushions. zafu can be translated as a ‘cushion for sitting’ or ‘sitting cushion’, where za means ‘sitting’ or ‘sit’ and fu means ‘cushion’. the zafu enhances meditation by helping you get in touch with your breath and the wonders of being present in the moment right now. the words zabuton, zafuton and futon are closely linked. the word ‘zazen’ meaning ‘seated meditation’ or ‘sitting meditation’ is also closely linked. in western terms, colloquially speaking, ‘zafu’ refers to a meditation cushion, and ‘zabuton’ refers to the cushioned mat on which a zafu is placed. a xen cushion is typically rectangular floor cushion but comes with tie ups to attach to chairs also. these are normally filled with cotton and come in a tufted pattern to avoid the cotton to shift.

it’s nice to have a few around the house for company and can help you transform even a small place into your retreat for meditation. with meditation cushions, an incense burner nearby and subtle music, you know when you enter that space that it’s meditative space. it just feels different than ordinary space and helps you relax

Alright, now that i understand meditation and yoga cushions, what are the different types available for me to choose from?

All meditation and yoga cushions can broadly be divided into zafus, zabutons and zen cushions. the purpose of all these cushions is the same- to make you comfortable enough during your practice so you can get maximum benefit out of it. it really depends on your individual preference and body type which determines which type of cushion you go for. traditionally zafus are either round or semi-circular and zabutons are typically long and flat and vary in length. zen cushions normally come in rectangular shape and can be used as chair cushions as well. many indian musicians who play instruments like sitar, tabla and the like which requires them to be on the ground for extended hours, use zen cushions for support and comfort.

What are meditation and yoga cushions and why can’t i just use an ordinary cushion for this purpose?

The basic cushion, and the one you’ll probably find you can’t do without, is the zafu. a traditional zafu is a plump, round, pleated cushion, usually stuffed firmly with cotton, buckwheat hulls or kapok. this cushion, positioned under your tush, serves to support your spine in an upright sitting position, providing enough height so that you can sit in full or half-lotus or simply with your legs crossed, and ideally with your knees resting on the floor. the slight tilt that results correctly aligns your spine in an erect posture and provides the most stable position for extended periods of sitting.

Zafus come in several sizes, and there isn’t much standardization; a regular-sized zafu can be anywhere from 13 to 16 inches in diameter, and between 5 and 8 inches high. larger zafus, 15-17 inches by 7-9 inches, usually work better for taller folks who have long legs and need more height to sit cross-legged in comfort. in general, if you are 5’10” or taller, you will want to purchase a larger zafu, while if you are under 5’10”, the smaller or regular-sized cushion will work for you.

Note that weight and/or girth aren’t usually significant; short or average-height plump people generally sit very comfortably on regular-sized zafus. the size of the cushion you need for maximum comfort has much more to do with your height than your weight.

So take your pick from our range of traditional round zafus and enjoy your practice

What are meditation and yoga cushions and why can’t i just use an ordinary cushion for this purpose?

The basic cushion, and the one you’ll probably find you can’t do without, is the zafu. a traditional zafu is a plump, round, pleated cushion, usually stuffed firmly with cotton, buckwheat hulls or kapok. this cushion, positioned under your tush, serves to support your spine in an upright sitting position, providing enough height so that you can sit in full or half-lotus or simply with your legs crossed, and ideally with your knees resting on the floor. the slight tilt that results correctly aligns your spine in an erect posture and provides the most stable position for extended periods of sitting.

Zafus come in several sizes, and there isn’t much standardization; a regular-sized zafu can be anywhere from 13 to 16 inches in diameter, and between 5 and 8 inches high. larger zafus, 15-17 inches by 7-9 inches, usually work better for taller folks who have long legs and need more height to sit cross-legged in comfort. in general, if you are 5’10” or taller, you will want to purchase a larger zafu, while if you are under 5’10”, the smaller or regular-sized cushion will work for you.

Note that weight and/or girth aren’t usually significant; short or average-height plump people generally sit very comfortably on regular-sized zafus. the size of the cushion you need for maximum comfort has much more to do with your height than your weight.

So take your pick from our range of traditional round zafus and enjoy your practice

What is the crescent zafu and what is it used for?

the crescent-shaped zafu has become increasingly popular in recent years. this, as the name suggests, is a pleated zafu cut and sewn in a crescent or kidney-bean shape. roughly two thirds the size of a round zafu, the crescent cushion is favored by some practitioners because it’s a bit more streamlined, and because the shape of the cushion provides more support for your upper thighs. it also provides more space to tuck in your heels as you sit, if a full lotus posture is difficult to maintain.

so take your pick from our range of crescent zafus and enjoy your practice

How do i know that the cushion i am buying is a zafu and not just another ordinary cushion?

a well-constructed zafu has the following features: it has a zippered or hook-and-loop closure so that the amount of filling can be adjusted, and so that the filling can be replaced if necessary, or simply removed when the shell needs to be laundered. it is made of a sturdy fabric like canvas, twill, duck, or denim, preferably machine-washable cotton. it has double or triple-sewn seams, which will extend the life of the cushion and prevent leakage in the event that a seam opens. a traditional zafu has evenly-spaced pleats around the sides, and a smooth, pucker-free top and bottom.

What is the significance of pleats on zafus?

You may be wondering about the pleated construction of these cushions, especially since there are cushions sometimes sold as zafus that don’t have any pleats. simply stated, a zafu is a sewn cushion you sit on. an unpleated cushion, if used regularly, will eventually separate at the seams from the long-term stress of bearing your weight.

Bed pillows, sofa cushions, and even rolled blankets can be pressed into service in a pinch, but none of these items are designed to hold your body weight for long periods, and all will show signs of wear and eventually disintegrate with this kind of use. a pleated zafu, on the other hand, is specially designed for use as a sitting cushion; the pleats allow the cushion to “give” with your weight, and the stuffing is thus automatically redistributed into the pleated spaces if you move about or shift your position, without placing undue stress on the seams.

What is the difference between them-buckwheat or cotton filling-million dollar question?

A good zafu is firmly stuffed with a high-quality filling like cotton or buckwheat hulls, (the dry triangular husks of buckwheat grains.) cotton filled zafus are lighter and provide a great loft. however as is the case with natural fibers, they compress and flatten over a long period time.

Buckwheat hulls shift slightly inside the cushion to conform to your body shape, and they provide a very comfortable, stable seat. while their initial loft is not as great as with cotton, they hold their shape better, and they don’t have cotton’s tendency to compress and flatten over time. the selection of filling for your zafu is largely a matter of personal preference.

Whilst buckwheat filled zafus retail their shape better and longer, they are also heavier than the cotton filled ones. both have similar type of maintenance and should be properly dried out in the sun if exposed to moisture or water.

What are zabutons?

 zafus provide you with the much needed support for the spine, thighs and tush, but by now you are probably also thinking about your poor aching knees and ankles, resting on the hard floor. this is where the zabuton is a lifesaver. a zabuton (literally, a “sitting futon”) is a large flattish cushion that you place underneath your zafu, as shown above. the zabuton provides a thick padded surface to cushion your ankles and knees and also to insulate you from the floor or ground. you can also use zabutons simply as a yoga mat.

as with zafus, the dimensions may vary, but these cushions generally measure between 28″ and 32″ square (occasionally you’ll see a rectangular zabuton.) the larger zabutons, designed for use with large zafus, are somewhat bigger, and can be up to 36″ square. the loft is usually between 2 and 4 inches.