Meditation is a journey inward, an exploration of self. It’s a practice that offers countless benefits from stress relief to enhanced concentration. But if you’re sitting uncomfortably, your aching back or hips can become a distraction. That’s where meditation chairs come in.
To help you sort through them, we dove into five popular options, some of which might have flown under your radar. We’ll cover the good, the not-so-good, and help you find the best fit for your practice.
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Mindful Modern Folding Pro Meditation Chair
The Mindful Modern Folding Pro Meditation Chair is designed for those who want something that comfortably supports your back and is portable. It folds up neatly, making it ideal for meditators on the go. However, its sturdy metal frame allows for extra durability and stability.
Positives
- Back Support: The backrest can be adjusted to five different angles up to 90 degrees, allowing for a customized seating experience.
- Portability: This chair’s ability to fold makes it easy to store and transport. Perfect for those who like to meditate in different locations or have limited space.
- Comfort: It offers a 3.5″-thick cushion with a comfortable velvet cover and, at the time of writing, comes with a 2.5″-thick buckwheat hull-filled zafu.
Negatives
- Size: The seating area is only 16″ x 16″, which leaves little room for certain cross-legged meditation positions. The zafu height is also only 2.5″, which may not be high enough for some to position their knees below their hips.
- Value: The price is a bit high considering the materials and quality of the chair.
Pipersong Meditation Chair
Also known as the ADHD chair or the cross-legged chair, the Pipersong Meditation Chair is the most famous meditation chair on TikTok at the moment (not that there are many famous meditation chairs out there).
The Pipersong chair was originally designed as a meditation chair, hence the name, and has grown into popular use as an office chair for people who have a hard time sitting in one position for too long.
It has a round or elliptical (depending on the model) stool for sitting, a leather backrest, and a 32″-wide foot stool that rotates around the chair 360 degrees. The entire chair is on wheels just like any normal office chair.
Positives
- Versatility: This chair isn’t just for meditation. Its multi-functional design allows for various seating positions, including cross-legged, squatting, or kneeling.
- Perfect Size: If you are using it to meditate, the dimensions are perfect. It has a 3.7″-thick seat with an adjustable-height seat just above the footstool, leaving lots of flexibility for the ideal meditation position. The 32″-wide footstool leaves lots of room for cross-legged meditation positions.
- Aesthetics: With a sleek, modern design, it fits well into any home office.
Negatives
- Price: It’s on the higher end of the price spectrum if you’re only using it to meditate, but the price is commensurate with other office chairs.
- Comfort: If you’re using it primarily as an office chair, it can be difficult to get used to and not the most comfortable option.
Alexia Meditation Seat
The Alexia Meditation Seat stands out with its eye-catching, modern design and its ergonomic support, making it a good choice for beginning meditators.
The chair is especially good for those who prefer meditating in the Sukhasana position, which involves sitting with the legs crossed near the ankles and hands on the knees using various mudras.
Positives
- Ergonomics: This chair is designed to tilt your pelvis slightly forward to allow for a straight spine while positioning your legs in the cross-legged position.
- Quality Materials: Made from faux leather and foam cushioning and supported by a steel frame, it offers a premium feel and long-lasting durability.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Its interesting design makes it a unique centerpiece for any meditation space.
Negatives
- Weight: It’s quite bulky and heavy, making it less portable compared to other meditation chairs.
- Limited Uses: It is difficult to use this chair for other meditation poses and keeping your knees below your hips can be difficult if you prefer a more traditional or advanced meditation posture.
- Cost: The premium materials and design come with a higher price tag, which might not be great for budget-conscious buyers.
Friends of Meditation Extra Large Meditation Chair
Similar to the Mindful Modern chair, the Friends of Meditation Extra Large Meditation Chair is a foldable meditation chair with back support and a zafu cushion, but the Friends of Meditation chair also comes with an adjustable back cushion.
Positives
- Comfort: With its thick foam padding and high backrest, it’s built for long meditation sessions, helping you remain comfortable throughout.
- Back Cushion: The chair comes with a detachable backrest that you can adjust up or down.
Negatives
- Stability: Some users have reported that the backrest isn’t very stable and tends to bend back when in use, compromising the stability.
- Aesthetic: The design is more utilitarian than stylish, which might not appeal to everyone.
- Value: Comparing this product to the Mindful Modern foldable chair above, it is quite a bit more expensive and the quality of materials are not as good.
The Samurai Meditation Chair by Zen By Design
The Samurai Meditation Chair by Zen By Design blends modern furniture with ergonomics, offering a unique look for your meditation space or even your living room.
With thick, tapered, wooden legs and color accents, this chair could easily be mistaken for a normal living room chair. It’s stuffed with foam with a memory foam topper and includes a gentle sacral tilt to allow for more comfortable meditation.
Positives
- Design: Inspired by traditional Japanese seating, it has a distinct and elegant look that enhances any meditation space.
- Ergonomics: It has a sacral tilt, which allows for a straighter spinal alignment for longer meditation sessions.
- Quality: Made with high-quality wood and cushioning, it’s built to last.
Negatives
- Not Portable: Because it’s designed as a more permanent piece of furniture, it is not portable like many of the other options on this list.
- Awkward Height: Although this chair is specifically for meditation, it is quite short with a total height of less than 2 feet, which can look a bit awkward next to other furniture or if someone is standing next to it.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect meditation chair depends on your personal needs, preferences, and budget. Some offer great portability and adjustability but may lack the stability of more solid options.
Whatever your choice, a good meditation chair can transform your practice, offering the comfort and support needed to deepen your mindfulness journey. Happy meditating!
By the way, if you’re looking for top picks on meditation cushions or mats, take a peek at these other articles: