Meditation is a popular practice that helps people relax, clear their minds, and eliminate negative thoughts. During meditation, you reach a state of mindfulness. You can practice meditation at any time of the day, as long as you are in a place that allows you to focus.
Some people choose to meditate while lying down, which is a great way for people who have a hard time falling asleep. If you are doing meditation during the day, seated meditation is a better choice.
What is seated meditation?
Your position for meditation is the most important factor. You don’t want to choose a position that is uncomfortable or causes you to break meditation by changing positions.
Seated meditation is a perfect option for people who are both new to meditation or seasoned. While laying down to meditate is a common position, there is a high chance that you will get comfortable and fall asleep. Sitting to meditate allows your body to remain alert.
Best seated meditation positions:
When you think of meditation, your mind probably goes to people sitting on the ground in a cross-legged position. You may shy away from meditation because you think that position will be uncomfortable for you.
Luckily, seated meditation doesn’t have to happen on the floor. As long as you’re sitting with a good posture, your seated position will work just as well. Here are some good ideas for seated meditation positions:
Use chairs or couches
You can do meditation in chairs with your legs uncrossed, feet flat on the floor, and arms resting in your lap. In this position, don’t use the back of the chair to hold you up. Instead, move towards the middle or front of the chair and keep a straight posture.
Use cushions or blankets
Using a cushion or blanket is great for people who like doing meditation on hard surfaces; this helps bring comfort. You can cross your legs and keep a straight posture. You can lean against something sturdy, like a wall if you need some support.
Whichever position you choose is up to you, remember to keep your back straight yet relaxed, keeping your head, neck, and spine aligned.
Meditation cushion
When meditating, comfort and support are top priorities. Apart from blankets, rugs, or yoga mats, you can use meditation cushions.
These cushions help support your back and hips, keeping you in your seated meditation position for a longer period. The cushions come in different shapes and sizes to fit the comfort of your body:
- Zafu pillow: A slightly elevated cushion that originated in China for meditation practices.
- Crescent-shaped pillow: Great for people who have flexibility in hips and knees but just want a cushion for comfort.
- Rectangular: Good options for beginners and people with stiff hips and ankles.
- Folded: Perfect for taking to different places and for those who like to meditate against the wall.
