I've been regularly meditating for a couple years. And the saga is ongoing on how to sit for meditation and what I sit on. I'm not a chair meditator or a lying down meditator (although I have students in both camps), so I'm talking solely about sitting options on the floor.
To me, there are two standard options: cross-legged or Rock Pose (aka Hero Pose). Since I play with both, I'll discuss both.
I sit cross-legged during my evening meditation, when my back and hips are a bit looser. I love the feel of this one. But what to sit on? I have tried nothing, a rolled up Yoga mat, round meditation cushions, cylindrical bolsters, rectangular bolsters, folded up blankets, blocks and probably a few other things. After all of that the winner for me is: a rolled up Yoga mat. It provides the right height, it's comfortable and it allows my tailbone to draw down, which is important for my back staying comfortable. If my back gives me grief, I am close enough to a wall to slip a pillow in behind me.
I sit in Rock Pose during my morning meditation, when my back and hips are a bit tighter. Due to my back injury, this is how I learnt to meditate. What to sit on? I have tried blocks, blocks with blankets, stacked meditation cushions, meditation benches, bolsters and various other household items that seemed to be able to provide the right height. The winner for me: a meditation bench. However, since I don't own one yet, I'm currently using a foam roller (that I have from my running days) with a pillow on top.
Figuring out how to sit comfortably is an individual endeavour and there are plenty of supplies out there to make your meditation more enjoyable.
I am partial to a green chip block. Don't know if they have those where you are, but they are amazing! For me at least :)
ReplyDeleteClaire, yes many of my students love the green chip block. I find it tips my pelvis forward (like standard meditation cushions). But for me to sit for a long time, I need my pelvis tipped backward a bit. I'm sitting on a rolled up Yogasana mat (a bit firmer than a standard Yoga mat). Seems to work for now.
ReplyDelete:) And now comes the rest of the challenges. I've found my seat (Thank goodness) if my mind would co-operate I'd be a happy gal!
ReplyDeleteI like to sit on one of these (in white, not blue as pictured): http://www.yoga-shop.org/yogakissen/sitzkissen/mondkissen.php Love it! Nadine, how long do you meditate for in the mornings and evenings each? I do ten to twenty minutes in the mornings and another five to ten after Yoga in the evenings on five days or so. Greetings from Berlin, Germany.
ReplyDeleteAnnina, greetings back from Vancouver Island, Canada. I meditate for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes before bed. I also do varying amounts of mantra meditation (chanting) during the days (depends on the day how long). And I teach 4-5 classes a week as well. I'm super lucky to have a schedule that allows me so much time for meditating!
ReplyDeletei sit on the edge of a block to b more comfortable when i meditate. if i dont have a block, i use a pillow and seat in easy cross legged position. i am still struggling to get over my restlessness though.. more than 30mins is not manageable at the moment, due to work and other commitments. thanks for sharing and hope to read more from you soon!
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